Online Billiards: Play89

Play89 is my favorite online pool game because the aim seems to be the most true. To me, the ability to aim the cue ball accurately is the whole game of pool. If you just hit toward a pocket it's more of a game of chance than skill.

On the Play89 tables you can play a real person or you can go into training mode and have the table all to yourself. This is really good for beginners to get their bearings (easy as they are) on how to hit the ball and control speed. Whenever you want you can play a new player. You can choose a single game or get into a match with a new friend from across the world. (You can also chat during the game or choose to turn chat off... it is a pool hall and the language sometimes reflects such!)

Play89 offers 3 different games, which we'll look at in more detail later. The games are 8-Ball, 9-Ball and Snooker.

Players may play for free with no charges ever, nothing to opt in for a later charge... *no credit card numbers or bank accounts need ever be used. Just download, create a user account and start playing pool online!
*Unless you choose to play for real money.

Downloading Play89 is fast, safe and easy. Just hit the link below!

1. Click the link below to start your immediate free download.
2. Double click on the file to begin the install process. You will be asked if you'd like a desktop icon too.
3. The file is small and won't bog down your computer. Click finish to open the game and get started playing pool!

Click here to download Play89 free now!

The general rules for 8 Ball, 9 Ball and Snooker show on the screen while the installation completes.

When the installation is complete, you are given the choice of playing for real money or fun. I would advise playing for fun until you really understand the nuances of the game. A rookie pool player should not walk into an unknown pool hall and play the big hitters for money... till they can beat them!

That's it, create a user name and password to play under. The user name is what your opponent will see, so make it cool

Game controls
Use a mouse, it's much easier to aim your cue. The pool cue will be blinking when it's your turn. If you have your sound on, a voice will also say when it's your turn. The screen above shows the break shot screen (every shot screen looks the same, in an overhead view). Note there is a dotted line from the tip of the cue to pointing straight. Aim the line at the cue ball and the line will go straight through it showing you where your are aiming on the object ball.

Aim the cue by moving the mouse in any direction, watch it moving on the screen to get a feel for it. Note the small cue ball icon in the lower left hand corner (under the power strip), you can move the star off center to get English on the cue ball.

When you are ready to shoot the object ball, press and HOLD the right click button on the mouse. Now pull the mouse straight back and see the power bar on the left side of the screen go up to red. You can control how hard you hit the cue ball by adjusting how far back you pull the cue. Don't let go of the right click button until you are ready to shoot (it lets go immediately). Practice for a while until you start to get the feel and make a few balls. It's very easy to get used to, and you don't have to know how to play pool either. It does help though.



Down to the nitty gritty of actually playing the pool games. As I said earlier, there are three games offered on Play 89.

8 Ball

This is your basic tournament rule 8 Ball game. Ball in hand rules apply (a legal hit must be achieved by a player). This told me immediately that the game was geared toward real pool players. Safety play is essential in pool. This game allows for it (though no call is necessary).

9 Ball

The 9 Ball game is the exact same fast paced game that we know and love. Play a different player every game or get in a set with a new person. All rules for the Play 89 online pool game are exactly the same as 9 Ball tournaments and leagues.

Snooker

Finally a place to play Snooker online. The table dimensions are so accurate you will swear you have the bird's eye view of a pro snooker tournament. Tiniest pockets you have ever seen too! I was as taken with the size of the table in relation to the previous games as I was the first time I played on a real snooker table... this thing is huge! Again the rules are the same as in any snooker rule book.

As an American in a city not fond of billiards it was a treat to find an online game that offered competitive pool players a place when they can't be at the hall. The Snooker game that was added to the site later was just a huge bonus.