Multi-level pool game apparatus and method

A method of playing a multi-level pool game comprising the steps of:

• 1. providing a plurality of generally level stacked, spaced apart playing surfaces including a top surface, a bottom surface and at least one intermediate surface disposed between the top and bottom surfaces, the intermediate surface having at least one bi-directional pocket in communication via conduits to both a higher surface and a lower surface,
• 2. providing a plurality of balls and means for players to cause selected balls to roll along the surfaces,
• 3. providing guide means at the bi-directional pocket for directing a ball entering that pocket either upwardly to a higher surface or downwardly to a lower surface, dependent upon the speed of the ball, and
• 4. having the players take turns directing one of the balls into such a bi-directional pocket at a speed selected by the player to cause the ball to be directed either upwardly or downwardly in furtherance of that player's game objective.

A multi-level pool game apparatus for play with a plurality of balls, comprising:

• 1) three or more generally level playing surfaces each have raised boundaries and at least one bal-receiving pocket,
• 2) support structure holding said surfaces in generally stacked relation to one another with sufficient space between adjacent surfaces to afford players access to each of said surfaces,
• 1) at least one conduit connected to and extending between pockets of each adjacent pair of said surfaces to provide a pathway for travel of a ball between each paid of said surfaces,
• there being at least one bi-directional pocket of at least one of said surfaces which is located intermediate a higher and a lower one of said surfaces and is connected to and in communication with both an upwardly extending conduit and a downwardly extending conduit, said apparatus also comprising guide means at each of said bi-directional pockets for interacting with the associated conduits and a ball entering a bi-directional pocket from the associated intermediate playing surface to direct that ball either upwardly or downwardly, depending upon the speed of the ball.