“Blue” pool, or “black” pool

Billiard table games for tables of all sizes, W.G. Clifford, 1936

“Blue” pool, or “black” pool, are played by putting the blue on the centre spot, or the black on the billiard spot, and the reds as for pyramids. The rule is that a red must be first taken, after which you may either take another red or the coloured ball at your option, the coloured ball coming up when pocketed. Generally, the coloured ball counts two points, but may be more by agreement. These games are now very seldom played, snooker having superseded them.