5 Best Pool Games On PC

Many PC pool games exist, but not many make it to the upper echelon of being the best. There are many factors to consider when trying to understand what makes a pool game great, and even Reddit users seem to disagree on what makes one great.

The best pool games need to include specific features and functions, and luckily we have a list of the top 5 that includes most (if not all) of them.

5 Best pool games on PC:

Real Pool 2D and 3D – Poolians
Virtual Pool 4
Cue Club 2: Pool & Snooker
Pool Nation
Pure Pool

1. Real Pool 2D and 3D – Poolians

Making its way into our top spot is technically two pool games; however, you can consider it to be one game if you take into account that the developer and publisher are the same and even the games are the same, just with different viewpoints.

Enter Real Pool 2D and Real Pool 3d, published under ThankGame and developed by Poollians. Let’s start with the Real Pool 2D, which is pretty much what you would expect a top-down version of a high-quality pool game to be and one that resembles that of most mobile pool games.

You are able to play one of the various pool modes that include;

8-ball
9-ball
15-ball
3-ball rotation
Blackjack

The simplicity of its design does not distract from how good the game is and how many great features it has. Deciding to play against the AI will give you the option to choose varying degrees of difficulty (four, to be exact).

If you fancy playing against real opponents, then you can do that too by entering one of the practice rooms, selecting a table, and waiting for an opponent to join.

Loading up the game will take you into the lobby, where you can select and choose between one of the many practice rooms (where you will also be able to watch other matches if you like), quick games, or tournament matches.

Other features include a friends list with a chat and records interface so you can easily socialize without using any third-party software.

It also features a levels system that will have your progress by reaching specific goals. This game ranks as one of our top picks, requiring a little space to install (40 megs) and not needing a lot of graphics processing power. Did we mention that it is free-to-play?

Due to the nature of it being free-to-play, there is a paid rewards system, but this does not give any additional benefits in terms of increasing player skill level for the game. So it can be ignored completely.

Moving on to its 3D brother, Real Pool 3d is precisely the same as Real Pool 2D. The only difference is that (you guessed it) the environment and pool table is structured in a 3D setting. Otherwise, the entire UI is the same as Real Pool 2d.

This version is also free-to-play, so you will only need to decide how you prefer to play (top-down or 3D).

Pros

Physics are realistic
AI features varying levels of difficulty
Play online with players from across the globe
Allows you to perform different shots (Curve, Masse, and Full English shots)
Some awesome in-game features (avatar, leaderboard, profile pages, friends list, lobbies, chats)

Cons

Can’t change the surroundings
Can’t change the pool table style or color in the 2D version
Can only change the color of the table cloth and not the surroundings in the 3D version

Play Real Pool 2D via Steam here

Play Real Pool 3D via Seam here

2. Virtual Pool 4

Virtual Pool 4 is a great pool game that is similar when compared to Real Pool 3D. That is, it has a great-looking 3D environment, and you are able to play various modes that include the usual and some other unique ones;

8-bal
9-ball
Snooker
Billiards
Pub pool

The appealing part about this game is the online community. When you download and install the game, you are basically putting the game’s browser on your machine, and you will have to pay for and download the game from there.

However, the most intriguing aspect is the online community which is a social hub giving updates, news, calendar events, chat lounges, blogs, messages, a unique customizable profile page, and more.

When you access the game’s browser and see all the community features, it truly enriches the game and takes you into another world.

There are one or two downsides to this game: it costs around $30, and you will still need to pay for in-game currency, which is used for entering competitions. Another factor to think about is that this is a purely multiplayer game with no AI-based practice mode.

Pros

Great looking game
Amazing online community
Filled with rich features (events calendar, social hub, chat lounges, news, messages, etc.)

Cons

Price is quite high when there are other free-to-play pool games available
You’ll still need to purchase in-game currency to enter tournaments

Play Virtual Pool 4 via Steam here

3.Cue Club 2: Pool & Snooker

Cu Club 2 is my top choice when it comes to having to choose one out of these top 5. While there are many aspects that the other pool games have, they excel in one area and tend to lack in another.

However, Cue Club 2 is, in my opinion, a great allrounder. The game is beautifully designed in that it offers you the choice to play either in a top-down view or in a 3D environment. Then the graphics are smooth, flashy, and eye-catching, yet not overburdening.

Then looking at the customization that the game allows you to manipulate will undoubtedly not leave you wanting more. Besides choosing which mode of pool, you would like to play, which include;

8-ball
9-ball
10-ball
6-ball
7-ball
Snooker
Speed Pool
Killer

You are able to fully customize the rules in each. It also allows you to change the size of the tables, moving from 6 feet to 12 feet in length, and then on top of that, you can alter the cloth color and design along with the finish of the table and the environment.

Although you don’t have a personal avatar profile, you can choose from one of 15 stylish characters available. This game offers great functionality that includes;

Full controller support
Steam leaderboards
Steam achievements
Commentary
Single or multiplayer (PvP)

The best thing about this game is that it only costs around $15 and is on special most of the time for half that price.

Pros

Great graphics
Cheap
No in-game currency purchased with real-world currency
Fully customizable
2D and 3D modes
Added features and tons of functionality

Cons

No personal avatar in terms of unique profile

Play Cue Club 2: Pool and Snooker on Steam here

4. Pool Nation

Next up, we have Pool Nation developed and released by Cherry Pop Games all the way back in 2013. What’s interesting about this pool game is that even though it is so old, it seems to be the most surreal in terms of its graphics and sounds.

It will only cost you a couple of dollars to purchase and is only available in single player (meaning you won’t be able to play with your friends online), but there are other cool inclusive features and functionality that include;

Steam workshop
Steam leaderboards
Remote play on TV
Steam achievements
Full controller support

Besides being super realistic in how it looks, it provides other features that include giving you the option to customize the pool balls and placing stickers (decals) on them.

There are also other DLC that features modes where you play pool more like pinball enabling you to shoot balls up ramps and through tunnels.

The DLC is paid content, but it won’t break the bank costing $1 or $2 per pack. All in all, if you are looking for a great-looking, inexpensive, single-player pool game, this is the choice.

Pros

Realistic graphics
Customizable pool balls
Other modes to play besides standard ones
Contains access to Steam workshop where you can play around with customizable features

Cons

Single player only

Play Pool Nation on Steam here

5. Pure Pool

Last up; we have Pure Pool, which was developed by VooFoo studios and published by Ripstone in 2014. A single and multiplayer pool game that ticks all the boxes in terms of features and many functional aspects that include;

Single player and online PvP
Shared/Split Screen
Cross-platform multiplayer
Steam achievements
Full controller support
Remote play on TV

The game features high-quality graphics that still hold up today and are arguably better than the first two entries on this list. A stunning array of table and cloth designs is set against very beautiful backdrops making this game pleasing on the eyes indeed.

DLC is available for this game which is paid content, but the game and the DLC (with one pack that includes a snooker mode) won’t cost you more than $15.

A relatively decent pool game indeed, and if you are looking for an upgraded option to our first choice on the list (Real Pool), but one that is cheaper than the others, then this might be your cup of tea.

Pros