Almost everyone loves playing 8 ball pool, it is a fun game requiring you to be accurate and precise along with a little bit of strategy to come out ahead of your opponent. Now, there are a lot of games present in 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 stick with that specific group throughout the game and pocket all the balls before your opponent does.

Furthermore, if you hit your opponent’s ball with the cue ball directly it is considered a foul, and your opponent gets to place the ball on the board anywhere they like. The first player to pocket all their balls wins the game. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at how you can play 8 Ball Pool on iMessage.

Download and Install 8 Ball Pool Using iMessage Store

In order to download and install the 8 Ball Pool game, you will need to download the ‘GamePigeon’ app which has a collection of games including the 8 Ball Pool.

To do so, launch the ‘Messages’ app from the home screen of your iOS device.

Then, tap on any conversation head present in your ‘Messages’ app.

Next, tap on the grey-colored ‘App Store’ icon present in 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 in the top right corner.

Now, type game pigeon in the search box and hit the ‘Search’ button present on the bottom right corner of your keyboard.

After that, click on the ‘Get’ button present on the ‘GamePigeon’ tile. Then, provide credentials for your Apple ID using your preferred way of authentication.

Note: If the ‘GamePigeon’ has already been purchased on your account, you will see a ‘Cloud with a downward 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, it is now time to start a game with one of your near and dear ones.

To do so, launch the ‘Messages’ app from the home screen of your iOS device.

Then, tap on the conversation head of the person you wish to play the game with. Otherwise, click on the ‘Compose’ button present at the top right corner of the ‘Messages’ app.

Once you are in the conversation view, locate the app bar present on the top of your keyboard and scroll it sideways. 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 under the ‘GAME MODE’ section. The ‘8 Ball’ option is the regular game mode whereas the ‘8 Ball+’ simply doubles the number of balls in your game in order to provide a longer play time.

Next, choose the difficulty level preferred by you. The ‘Normal’ option will provide you a projected path for the ball you try to hit whilst the ‘Hard’ difficulty level will not have aim assistance.

You can also customize your cue stick by tapping on the ‘CUSTOMIZE’ tile adjacent to the ‘GAME MODE’ section. However, almost all of the options can only be unlocked by purchasing the app via in-app purchases.

Then, type a message if you wish to and tap on the ‘Send’ button to invite your contact for a game of ‘8 Ball Pool’.

Since the invitation was sent by you, the other person gets to 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 path of your cue ball towards your target ball. After that, tap on the ‘cue ball’ picture present on the right section of the pool board. This will bring the cue ball picture to overlay on your screen.

After that, tap on the cue ball to change the hitting position of the cue on the ball which is signified by a red dot. This enables you to have more control of your cue ball once you have hit it. To dismiss, tap anywhere on the screen.

Then, locate the ‘cue stick’ icon present on the left section of the pool board. Next, tap-hold and drag your finger downwards to adjust power for the shot, release the stick once you are desired power to take the shot.

Once any one of the players pockets a ball, both the players will have their respective group of balls to pocket. Your group type will be displayed under your player icon.

If you target the opponent’s ball you will see a cross mark signifying it is not your’s to pocket.

In case, your opponent commits a foul during their turn by hitting your group of balls or by pocketing the cue ball, you get the ball in hand; that basically means you can choose where you wish to place the cue ball for your next turn.

Also, if during the game any player pockets the ‘8’ (black) ball even indirectly, they immediately lose and the other one wins the game.

The fastest player to pocket all their group balls will win the game.

Turn Sound and Music On/Off for 8 Ball Pool

The in-game music and sound are a very integral part of any game, however, if you are in a social setting without any earphones handy; the people around you will appreciate you turning down that sound coming out of your phone.

To do so, from the 8 Ball Pool game screen, click on the ‘gear’ icon present on the bottom left corner of the screen.

Then, tap on the ‘Music’ button to turn off the in-game music. Next, tap on the ‘Sound’ button to turn off the in-game sound effects as well.

You can also customize your character’s appearance such as facial expressions, hairstyles, headwear, eyewear and much more using the customization options present right above the ‘Sound’ and ‘Music’ controls.