Players try to have the highest score at the end of three rounds of play or to be the first player to score ten or more points. Each player releases their ball along the track to score points before the eight ball drops and blocks the scoring track.

The Beat The Eight Ball game from Ideal is a game of patience and skill. After the Eight Ball is set spinning in the funnel each player must decide when to release their own marble. Beating the Eight Ball at all gives you points, coming in after it takes points away. More points are given the later your ball is so it pays to take chances.