Kiwification

photo credit: Jeff Kubina

We played pool with some “mates” (kiwispeak for friends) at the Taradale Club last weekend. There was some initial confusion, as we claimed “stripes” as our balls, and they claimed “unders”.

“Under-what”, I asked?

“Stripes?”, they asked?

Turns out we stumbled across our first truly disparate cultural experience: the game of 8-ball, or pool.

South Africans call the balls from 1-7 “solids” (the ones with a solid color), and the ones from 9-14 “stripes” (can you guess why?). The kiwis call them “unders” (because they’re under eight), and “overs” (again, up to you)

Moments after we negotiated this tricky multi-cultural ball-claiming scheme, we stumbled across another obstacle : the two-shots rule. I’m no pool shark, but I remember two sets of rules: “Old”, and “New”. Each set defined what you could and couldn’t do with your “two shots” (freeshot) when your opponent foulded.

From the basic introduction I got to Kiwi Rules, it seems the only rule is “err, just hit the ball mate!“. We didn’t get any extra shots when the opposing team fouled. (Turned out to our advantage, actually, since we fouled a LOT)

There was also some crazy rule about losing the game if you hit (not sink, just touch) the black (8-ball) in the process of sinking on of your own balls.

Official (and suggested) NZ Pool Rules

Here’s a link to the Clubs NZ 8-Ball Rules, for reference.

I’d like to suggest a few more rules, based on our experience:

- Burgers should be eaten
- Beer (from a jug) should be provided
- After the burgers, when you think you’re full, a plate of wedges drowned in cheese and sour-cream settles your stomach.

Drop your trousers

Finally, in my research, I stumbled across the “down-trou” rule.. seemingly a Kiwi-only thing, stating that if you lose without pocketing a single ball, you should drop your pants to publically “honor” your humiliation. It doesn’t mention how long the pants have to stay dropped though - until you sink your next ball, or trip over your trousers?