Fast way to win Pool?

[McGTA4]

That is fast way to win pool?

[GTArv]

Practice practice practice. If you're not familiar with pool, learn the rules first (the game uses 8-ball pool). Head over to Homebrew Cafe and practice on the poll table there. The other guy is a very skilled player from what I've seen, so it may not be easy to beat him. Another thing you could do is play pool with your friends when arranging an activity. Personally I found Packie incompetent, so it may be more likely to win against him. Also, if you killed Playboy X in the mission Holland Play, his apartment will become yours and you can make use of the pool table there. Its much better than having to drive down all the way south to Homebrew Cafe, where the only other pool table is.

 

If you cannot depend on your skill, depend on luck, hope that your opponent does something stupid and loses the game. For example, if he pockets the 8-ball before he pockets all of the type of ball (coloured/striped) he's designated to, he loses. If he pockets the cue along with the 8 ball, he loses. That's how I won it anyway. If you're good at pool, you don't have to depend on luck and make several attempts.

[Barry Spock]

There's no fast way to win - as in skipping, or a half game.

 

Just use the suggested shots that the game sets you up with. I find that getting the strength to hit the ball with is key.

 

Don't know what platform OP is playing on, but on PS3 I don't find pool all that hard. I was getting about a 66% - 75% strike rate of winning. Don't think I've ever sunk more than 3 balls in a row though -- don't know how you could finish the game in one go.

[meson1]

The problem I find is that the cushions (or rails) don't react the way they should. I find the balls "stick" to them when they should bounce. It makes it really difficult to play even the most basic of shots without going in off.

 

The only way I get any success is to keep shots as simple as possible and avoid trying to work the cue ball.

 

FYI: I'm playing the PC version and having to use the mouse.

[Puto Bendejo]

As Meson1 said, the rails are'nt realistic, so bank shots are rarely an option. You'll notice what in RL would be a super easy bank shot, not only are you recommended to cut, but you'll see the opponents also making near impossible cut shots rather than attempt a bank shot.

 

Barry Spock says use the recommended shots, but I disagree with that. I always need to make some slight change whether moving slightly left or right, plus adding some french and english (striking cueball lower, highher, to left or right with the cue stick) to the shot. this spinning of the cue works somewhat realistically, until a rail is hit. Somehow the AI of the game doesnt understand the texture of a pool railing. Plus, the computer may choose a ball where another choice will allow a lot better leave.

 

Someone please tell me about this no rail hit rule? I've been called scratched for no rail hit, when I strike my ball JUST short enough of power to drop it in. ( I play pretty precise) I really think they've got the rules a bit skewed in the game, really picky about this, and "no balls hit" (which I totally agree with), but allow any slop shot? we should be required to call our shots, imo

 

However, I always get a laugh from Roman, when he leaves me no shot, and I use it to block him right back, forcing him into a scratch shot, or to drop one of mine, he'll say something like: " we both know that was a BIG mistake!!" he's laughing at ME after I've made a perfect no drop shot! (maybe I could've slammed the ball to force a lucky slop, but I don't play that way, and hitting his balls first only results in a ball-in-hand anyway)

[Barry Spock]

Most times I find the computer-suggest shot is okay provided the right amount of strength is put on the shot - and that's the tricky bit. And only if I'm losing badly do I stick with the suggestion. Sometimes a small adjustment needs to be made to the angle.

 

I agree re the rules - the no rail shot rule is one I've never played in real life.

[meson1]

 

Someone please tell me about this no rail hit rule? I've been called scratched for no rail hit, when I strike my ball JUST short enough of power to drop it in.  ( I play pretty precise) I really think they've got the rules a bit skewed in the game, really picky about this, and "no balls hit" (which I totally agree with), but allow any slop shot?  we should be required to call our shots, imo

 

I play for a team in a league that plays World Eight Ball Pool Federation rules. (Though I wouldn't claim to play especially well myself.) The pool mini game in GTA:IV does not seem to follow all the rules of the WEPF. Perhaps it does use recognised rules of some pool organisation, but I don't know which one. But I am quite familiar with the the no-hit-rail rule that GTA:IV uses.

 

The no-hit rail rule was introduced to make the game more entertaining and improve speed of play. The rule, as you may be aware, is that unless you pot a ball, a ball (any ball, either yours, your opponent's, the cue ball or even the black) must hit a cushion AFTER the cue ball has contacted the object ball. Basically it seeks to avoid players playing soft shots to simply roll up behind the object ball and snookering their opponent too easily. Instead players have to hit the balls hard enough for at least one to contact the cushion.

 

This isn't to say that you cannot snooker your opponent, it is still a key component of the game, but you have to be a little more creative about how you go about it. 95% of the time you're playing shots that contact the cushions anyway, so really the way you play isn't affected that much.

 

Unfortunately, if you play a gentle shot that's bang on target (i.e. wouldn't touch the sides), but is just short of enough pace to drop (and obviously no other ball has touched a cushion either) then, yes, unfair as it may seem it is a foul and you scratch.

Edited September 21, 2010 by meson1

[Puto Bendejo]

@Meson1 I don't like reposting a lot, but I gotta say THANKS for clearing that up for me! I play a LOT, with friends at our homes and at bars, with a wide variety of "house" rules. I'd never seen that no rail hit rule anywhere (maybe a location thing) The way you've explained it, it finally does make some sense to me

I suspect the reaction of the ball to the rails in the mini-game is simply meant to throw us off. consider this in correlation to the bowling mini-game:

niko is right handed, but a brooklyn pocket (1st two pins opposite your throwing arm)more often results in a strike. In RL, its harder to throw a strike like that. You kinda have to think backwards to play well in the bowling game. (my personal best score is 244)

Edited September 21, 2010 by Puto Bendejo