Almost everyone loves to play 8 ball pool, it is a fun game that requires you to be exact and precise along with a bit of strategy to get ahead of your opponent. Now, there are many games present on the iMessage store for you to play; but nothing beats the classics.
For all the uninitiated, as the name suggests, 8 Ball Pool is played with 8 balls divided into two groups: stripes and solids. Whoever pockets the first ball has to stay with that specific group throughout the game and pocket all the balls before your opponent.
Also, if you hit your opponent’s ball with the cue ball directly, it is considered a foul and your opponent can place the ball on the board wherever they want. The first player to pocket all of his balls wins the game. So without further ado, let’s take a look at how you can play 8 Ball Pool on iMessage.
To download and install the 8 Ball Pool game, you will need to download the ‘GamePigeon’ app, which has a collection of games including 8 Ball Pool.
To do so, launch the ‘Messages’ app from the home screen of your iOS device.
Then tap on any conversation header present in your ‘Messages’ app.
Next, tap on the gray colored ‘App Store’ icon present at the bottom section of the screen.
After that, tap on the blue colored ‘App Store’ icon present on the app bar to open the iMessage app store in an overlay window.
Then, from the overlay window, click on the ‘Search’ icon present at the top right corner.
Now, type hunting pigeon in the search box and hit the ‘Search’ button present at the bottom right corner of your keyboard.
After that, click on the ‘Get’ button present on the ‘GamePigeon’ tile. Then provide the credentials for your Apple ID using your preferred form of authentication.
Note: If you have already purchased ‘GamePigeon’ on your account, you will see a ‘Cloud with a down arrow’ icon instead of the ‘Get’ button.
Start a game of 8 Ball Pool with your contacts
Once you have downloaded the ‘GamePigeon’ app on your iOS device, now it’s time to start a game with one of your loved ones.
To do so, launch the ‘Messages’ app from the home screen of your iOS device.
Then tap on the conversation header of the person you want to play with. Otherwise, click on the ‘Compose’ button present at the top right corner of the ‘Messages’ app.
Once you are in conversation view, locate the app bar present at the top of your keyboard and slide it to the sides. Then tap on the ‘GamePigeon’ icon to reveal the list of games.
Next, click to choose the ‘8 Ball’ option from the grid present on your screen.
Now, select the game mode by tapping on one of the options present in the ‘GAME MODE’ section. The ‘8 Ball’ option is the normal game mode, while ‘8 Ball+’ simply doubles the number of balls in your game to provide longer play time.
Then choose the level of difficulty you prefer. The ‘Normal’ option will give you a projected path for the ball you are trying to hit, while the ‘Hard’ difficulty level will have no aim assist.
You can also customize your cue by tapping on the ‘CUSTOMIZE’ tile next to the ‘GAME MODE’ section. However, almost all options can only be unlocked by purchasing the app through in-app purchases.
Then write a message if you like and tap the ‘Send’ button to invite your contact to a game of ‘8 Ball Pool’.
Since you sent the invitation, the other person can take the first turn.
Once your opponent has completed their turn, tap on the ‘YOUR MOVE’ tile to take your turn.
Now drag your finger sideways across the screen to align the cue ball’s path to the object ball. After that, tap on the ‘cue ball’ image present on the right section of the pool table. This will cause the image of the cue ball to be superimposed on the screen.
After that, tap the cue ball to change the hitting position of the cue ball which is indicated by a red dot. This allows you to have more control of your cue ball once you have hit it. To dismiss, tap anywhere on the screen.
Next, locate the ‘cue stick’ icon present on the left section of the pool table. Then touch and drag your finger down to adjust the power of the shot, release the lever once you want the power to take the shot.
Once either player pockets a ball, both players will have their respective set of balls to pocket. Your group type will be displayed below your player icon.
If you aim at the opponent’s ball, you will see a cross which means it is not yours to pocket.
In case your opponent commits a foul during his turn by hitting your group of balls or pocketing the cue ball, you have the ball in your hand; that basically means you get to choose where you want to put the cue ball for your next turn.
Also, if during the game any player pockets the ‘8’ ball (black) even indirectly, he immediately loses and the other wins the game.
The fastest player to pocket all the balls in their group will win the game.
Enable/disable sound and music for 8 Ball Pool
However, in-game music and sound is a very integral part of any game, if you’re in a social setting with no headphones to hand; the people around you will appreciate that you reject that sound coming from your phone.
To do so, from the 8 Ball Pool game screen, click on the ‘gear’ icon present at the bottom left corner of the screen.
Then tap the ‘Music’ button to turn off the game music. Next, tap on the ‘Sound’ button to turn off the game’s sound effects as well.
You can also customize your character’s appearance such as facial expressions, hairstyles, hats, glasses and much more using the customization options present just above the ‘Sound’ and ‘Music’ controls.
