What is Kelly Pool?

If you haven’t heard about Kelly Pool, that’s probably because you know it as pea pool or pill pool. The name is also spelt differently with variations like Keilley, Keelay, and Killy. Whatever you want to call it, this game has been around since 1893 and was introduced by Calistus “Kelly” Mulvaney in Chicago, Illinois.

So, what is Kelly Pool about? The game involves at least two players, but it can be played by up to 15 people. It’s recommended, though, that three to six people participate. This makes Kelly Pool a perfect match for large gatherings like family get-togethers.

The game requires:

• A pool (or billiards) table
• 16 pool balls
• Cue sticks
• 15 numbered peas (also known as pills, tally, or shake balls)
• A shake bottle

Kelly Pool involves players drawing one out of the 15 numbered peas from the shake bottle. No one should know what number they got, but each player should pocket the corresponding pool ball in order to win the game.
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