a white ball from baulk.
Pyramids is a game consisting entirely of winning hazards, and he who
succeeds in pocketing the greatest number of balls, wins. A single
point is scored for each winning hazard, and a forfeiture of a point
for each losing hazard; the game being usually played for a stake--so
much (say 6d.) a ball, and so much (say 1s. 6d.) for the game.

2585. Pool.

A game played by two or more persons, consisting of winning hazard
only. Each player subscribes a certain stake to form a pool or gross
sum, and at starting has three chances or lives. He is then provided
with a marked or coloured ball, and the game proceeds thus:

The white ball is placed on the spot, and the red is played on to it
from baulk. If the player pocket the white he receives the price of a
life from the owner of the ball; but if he fail, the next player
(yellow) plays on the red; and so on alternately till all have played,
or till a ball is pocketed. When a ball is pocketed, the striker plays
at the ball nearest his own, and goes on playing as long as he can
score. The first player who loses his three lives can star: that is,
he can purchase as many lives as are held by the lowest number
remaining in the pool. The order of play is usually red upon white,
yellow upon red, green upon yellow, brown upon green, blue upon brown,
black upon blue, spot-white upon black, white upon spot-white; and
this order is retained so long as all the original players remain in
the game. When the number of players is reduced to two, they can, if
they possess an equality of lives, as two each, or one each, divide
the stake; or they may by agreement play out the game for the entire
pool.

2586. Single Pool.

Single Pool is a game for two players, the white winning game,
originally played with two balls, for a money stake upon each life.

2587. Nearest Ball Pool.

Nearest Ball Pool is the same as ordinary pool, except that the
player, after taking a life, plays upon the ball nearest to the upper
or outer side of the baulk; or, if his ball be in hand, upon the ball
nearest the baulk semi-circle.

2588. Black Pool.

Black Pool is ordinary pool with the addition of a black ball, which
is placed on the centre spot. When, after pocketing the ball proper to
be played on, the black is struck into a pocket, each player pays the
price of a life to the striker.

2589. Skittle Po