Hard Pool checkers
Hard Pool checkers is a deeper search on the same American Pool rules as Pool checkers. A larger budget, not master play, and not a different game.
Kings still fly. Men still jump backward. Promotion still continues the turn.
Pool rules against Hard
Capture every opposing piece, or block the other side so it cannot move. Same 8×8 start as American checkers, with Pool movement rules.
- Men may jump forward or backward.
- Kings fly along open diagonals and may land any empty square beyond a capture.
- A man that crosses the king row mid-jump keeps jumping as a man; it is crowned only if its jump ends on the king row.
How far Hard Pool looks ahead
The Hard opponent looks four moves ahead: its move, your reply, its next move, and your next reply.
It understands flying kings and backward jumps; difficulty only changes how far ahead it looks.
It plans further ahead than Medium, but it always stops at four moves, so a longer plan can still surprise it.
Deep Pool jump lines
Calculate king flights together
Hard compares several landing squares on the same diagonal. Before you move, check every empty square beyond the target — not just the nearest landing.
Backward jump combinations
Pool tactics often run backward then forward in one turn. Hard looks four moves ahead; rehearse the full multi-jump before you click.
Endgame with few pieces
When the board opens up, flying kings dominate. Hard will chase loose men — keep kings paired so one covers the other’s retreat diagonal.
Pool checkers difficulty levels compared
| Level | Best for | How far it looks | Typical gap | Practice focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | Learning flying kings and backward jumps | 1 move ahead (its own; never your reply) | Underestimates how far a king can land after a capture | Finish the whole jump line before you stop the turn |
| Medium | Comfortable Pool players | 3 moves ahead | Misses some multi-jump promotions; shorter king endgames | Choose landing squares that keep the king jumping |
| Hard (this page) | Sharp tactical Pool games | 4 moves ahead | Stops at four moves ahead — not professional Pool strength | Calculate backward jumps and king flights together |
Need a refresher on the basics? Read the complete Pool Checkers guide and rules on Checkerso for backward capture details, flying king landings, and promote-and-continue chains.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hard Pool checkers the strongest setting on Checkerso?
It is the strongest setting offered for Pool: it looks four moves ahead. It always stops there, so a longer plan can still surprise it.
Does Hard play perfect Pool checkers?
No. It is stronger than Easy and Medium here, but it is not tuned to professional American Pool play.
Why did my turn end after promotion?
The turn ends when no further jump is available for the king. If you had another capture, the game should let you continue — double-check the line on Hard before you commit.