Pool

Pool is a sport in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Grand Theft Auto IV. Two players can play pool and either player wins. The main goal is to get all the coloured balls within the designated colors into the holes in the table and then get the 8-Ball to win. Pool was first seen in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, however, it could not be played by the player. It was only until GTA San Andreas that pool could be played by the player.

GTA San Andreas

Objective

 
A game of pool in a bar GTA San Andreas.

In GTA San Andreas, the player can meet up a person at any bar who is holding a pool cue and challenge him. The maximum wager is $1000. The player then begins to play pool with him, and if either solid or striped balls gets into the hole, then the challenger will either get striped or solid balls. If either player accidentally pockets the wrong cue, either player will lose a turn and then the player (who didn't pocketed the wrong cue) can move the white cue into the designated cue. If the player pockets most of his colored balls, which the object tells him/her to do so, will not be able to win by pocketing the 8-Ball. If the player pockets the 8-Ball, CJ wins some money but if CJ pockets the 8-Ball before all the others, the opponent wins. If the opponent wins, CJ loses the game and the money that the player waged. If you decide to quit you get to keep the pool stick for a weapon for yourself but will loose your wager you made. It is possible to retrieve the wagered money by killing the challenger.

The player can compete against another player using a second controller, but in this case no money can be wagered.

Winning

The player wins the game on the following occasions:

  • The player pockets all of their striped/colored balls followed by the 8-Ball, before their opponent.
  • The opponent accidentally pockets the 8-Ball before they have pocketed all of their striped/coloured balls.

Losing

The player loses the game on the following occasions:

  • The opponent pockets all of their striped/colored balls followed by the 8-Ball, before the player.
  • The player accidentally pockets the 8-Ball before they have pocketed all of their striped/coloured balls.
  • The player successfully pockets the 8-Ball after pocketing all of their striped/colored balls, but also pockets the white cue ball in the same shot.

Losing a turn

The player/opponent loses a turn on the following occasions:

  • The player accidentally pockets the wrong type of ball.
  • The player accidentally pockets the white cue.
  • The player misses all balls with the cue ball.
  • The player hits a ball but it doesn't hit the rail.
  • The player hits the wrong coloured ball first.

Locations

GTA IV

Objective

 
A game of pool with Little Jacob at the Homebrew Cafe in GTA IV.

Pool can be played against friends or against a competitor when not being accompanied by a friend. The player may no longer wager money. Either player will win if they have pocketed the most colors and then the 8-Ball.

As titled above, the rules are the same as in GTA San Andreas but a new foul is present if the ball jumps off the table, causing either opponents to lose a turn. Knocking the 8-Ball off will end the game, with a loss to the player who knocked it off.

As is in GTA San Andreas, the pool cue is obtainable as a weapon in The Lost and Damned after completing a round of pool

Winning a game of pool will grant the player the trophy/achievement "Pool Shark".

Locations

Trivia

  • GTA Vice City is the only Grand Theft Auto game that uses green pool tables; every pool table in GTA San Andreas, GTA IV and its episodes are blue or purple in colour.
  • It is best to play against Michelle to gain the "Pool Shark" trophy/achievement, as she is easy to beat.
  • It is best not to play against Little Jacob or Packie to gain the "Pool Shark" trophy/achievement, as they are both really good players.
  • The pool table at Playboy X's penthouse is only accessible during a friendship outing or date; Niko can't play a casual game by himself. Also, some graphics glitches may occur when playing a game at the safehouse, though this doesn't appear to impact the player's ability to complete the game.
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