Review – Beat the 8 Ball

Beat the 8 Ball is a game of split-second timing. As the 8 ball rolls around the funnel, players try to release their marbles to land *just* before the 8 ball falls. It’s a game of waiting… but don’t wait too long!

Review

As someone who spends a lot of time studying tabletop game history, I feel like I have a strong knowledge of older games. Imagine my surprise, then, when I learned that Blue Orange’s Beat the 8 Ball is not a new game, as I thought it was. Rather, it is a remake of an almost 50-year old title that I had somehow never heard of!

Beat the 8 Ball is an action/dexterity game that feels a bit like Chicken. The goal of the game is to earn the most points, and players accomplish this by timing their shots to — you guessed it — beat the 8 ball.

When set up, this game looks sort of like Loopin’ Louie, with a central mechanism and 4 “arms” extending out from it. At the end of each arm is a colored marble, which is held in place by a plastic trigger. When a player presses their trigger, it releases their marble, which rolls slowly down toward the center.

The main component is the large funnel in the middle, and this is where the action happens. Each round, players set the 8 ball in motion rolling around the funnel. At any time while the 8 ball is moving, a player can release their marble. If a marble reaches the center before the 8 ball falls, that player earns between 0 and 3 points — the later they are, the more they earn. However, if the 8 ball falls first, before their marble reaches the middle, they lose between 1 and 4 points.

Thus, the skill of Beat the 8 Ball comes from waiting until the last possible moment to release your marble. Players must watch not only the 8 ball itself, but also their opponents’ trigger fingers. There is a real-time psychological element that makes for a hilarious burst of tension and excitement. (Because this is a game of milliseconds, new players will want to try a few practice rounds before playing to get a feel for the trigger releases, the speed of the marbles, and the movement of the 8 ball.)

The game can be played over a series of rounds (usually 3), or until someone reaches 10 points. Either way, it typically takes 15 minutes or less from start to finish.

---

Beat the 8 Ball is already among my favorite Blue Orange games ever, alongside Kingdomino and Slide Quest. It is a blast to play, particularly with a full player count. Players will enjoy rolling the 8 ball in different movement patterns: trying an oval rather than a circle, putting a backspin on the ball, or tricking their opponents by letting it roll straight down the hole. The tension is thrilling, and it totally makes the experience.

This game works well with kids or adults, which makes it a strong choice for families. Younger kids may have some trouble timing their marbles — my 5-year-old often jumps the gun and releases hers way too early — but with practice, they will get the hang of it. I’ve found that playing with all adults is quite fun, as they tend to play more riskily, which makes for greater excitement.

Beat the 8 Ball is very well produced, with sturdy plastic components that assemble and disassemble easily. The only thing I don’t care for so much is the box; it is one of those corrugated cardboard boxes like the ones from Loopin Louie or the new version of Fireball Island. It holds the components just fine, but it does not feel as robust as Blue Orange’s usual boxes.

Overall, though, Beat the 8 Ball is a ton of fun. As far as speed/reaction games go, it’s one of the best, and I’m glad to see it available for a new generation. If you like games full of laughter and energy, definitely check this one out.

A review copy was provided by Blue Orange Games.