Watch the video above and talk about it with a group or mentor. Learn more.

Learn how to play pool for kids BY a kid! Well, sort of...

Key Points:

  • You play pool by using the “cue” (the pool stick) to hit the cue ball (the white ball) into the rest of the balls. The first ball to go into one of the pockets, solid-colored or stripe-colored, are the balls that you need to go after for the rest of the game.
  • When all of your balls – either solids or stripes – go in, your last job is to get the black eight ball into one of the pockets. But there’s a catch – you have to “call” which pocket you’re going for! If you don’t get the ball into that pocket exactly, you lose.
  • Try not to “scratch.” Scratching is when you try to hit the cue ball but don’t hit anything, either by hitting the cue ball but it doesn’t hit a colored ball or if you just miss altogether. If you scratch, your opponent gets to take a free shot. This gives them a big advantage!
  • Pool is hard! It will teach you valuable lessons about how hard you need to practice to get better at everything in life. But remember: whether pool comes naturally to you or whether it’s really hard, always make sure you are having fun.

Quote This:

When you lose, let that be a lesson to you. When you win – you don’t learn anything. -Allan P. Sand

See Also: Culture, Friendship

Talk About It
  1. What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Have you ever played pool? If so, did you have fun? Why or why not?
  3. Do you think pool is a hard game to learn? Why or why not?
  4. What do you think is the value of learning to be good at a game like pool?
  5. Write a personal action step based on this conversation.