Cutthroat Pool Rules: The Best Game for Three Players
Cutthroat is the classic pool game for three players (it also works for five). Instead of making your own balls, you try to sink everyone else's. The last player with a ball left on the table wins. It is fast, a little ruthless, and great for a group.
The groups
- Use all 15 balls, racked in the triangle with the 1-ball at the front.
- Three groups: 1 to 5, 6 to 10 and 11 to 15.
- With five players, use five groups of three: 1–3, 4–6, 7–9, 10–12 and 13–15.
How groups are chosen
Many players use this simple rule: the first player to legally pocket a ball after the break picks their group, or gets that ball's group, and the others follow in turn. Other games assign groups by shooting order before the break. Agree on it before you start.
How to play
- Players shoot in a fixed order. You keep shooting as long as you legally pocket an opponent's ball.
- If you pocket one of your own balls, it stays down and your turn ends (in most house rules).
- When all of a player's balls are pocketed, that player is out.
- The last player with any ball left on the table wins.
Fouls
A common rule: when you scratch or foul, each opponent gets one of their pocketed balls back on the table (spotted on the foot spot). That rewards the players who are behind. Some groups also give the next player ball in hand. Again, agree before the break.
Strategy
- Pick on the leader. Sink the balls of the player with the most left, so the others don't gang up on you.
- Hide your own balls. Leave them near rails and away from pockets, and use safeties to protect them.
- Count before you shoot. Making the last ball of a player who is almost out can turn the game into a duel you might not want.
Cutthroat is a fun way to practice runouts and safeties. When you are ready for something more serious, learn 9-Ball or One Pocket.
Test yourself: take the 12-question pool rules quiz and share your score with your league. Settling an argument? See the pool rules Q&A.