While a pool table is always a major purchase, they come in many price ranges, which depends on many factors. Each player is allotted one called safety, which is an intentional defensive stroke, a shot played to miss, per game. For pool party games, add fun inflatable toys, a beach ball or two, and plan your games around the pool area. A variation in the called semi-masse shot in which a moderate curve is introduced to the cue ball's direction.