I was out the other night with some friends. We started at a pub to watch a football match and then sat at a cafe for a while. Then we decided to play some pool. After about 30 minutes of playing, my friend Brendan and I ended up playing two Spanish people who were in line next. It was during this game where I encountered the most unusual rules for a game of pool I have ever seen before.

When you scratch, what normally happens? I have always thought that the other team got a shot and could move the ball anywhere they wanted behind the break line. Apparently, I have been misinformed my entire life. As it happens, you have to place the ball on the dot at the break line, you can´t move it and you can´t shoot at any of your balls on your half of the table. What happens if there is a ball on the table right in front of the break line? Deal with it. Great players rise to the occasion. I did not.

What happens when you get to the 8-ball? You call your pocket and put the ball in its´ home. Surely that can´t be different too. Surely you are wrong. I was educated about this too. Turns out, you have to put the 8-ball in the same pocket you put your last ball in. It got to the point when both teams only had the 8-ball and we were trying to put the ball in pockets on opposite ends (and sides) of the table. It took us 3.5 hours to end the game. Each team just kept moving the ball to the other end of the table leaving impossible shots. I think it was the single funniest and at the same time most torturing events I have ever been apart of (outside of going to musicals).

But, later that night, everything made up for it. I met some friends around 3am in the streets of this neighborhood that is all bars. Everyone is just boozing in the streets. We ran out. Uh-oh. Problem. It´s 3am. Everywhere to get beer is closed. Except bars that is. I went into the bar we were sitting outside of. I ordered a "mini"...which here is a liter (awesome by the way). Then, I proceeded to walk right out of the bar, say goodbye to the bouncer, and then sit down on the stairs right outside their door and continue talking to my friends. I couldn´t believe I was actually allowed to do so. It couldn´t have been less of an issue.