- The company behind 8 Ball Strike
- How an 8 Ball Strike match is scored
- Free games versus cash matches in 8 Ball Strike
- Deposits, withdrawals and fees on 8 Ball Strike
- Who can play 8 Ball Strike for real money
- 8 Ball Strike, Pocket7Games and the court cases
- Playing 8 Ball Strike with a limit
- 8 Ball Strike scams to avoid
- Is 8 Ball Strike worth it?
- Frequently asked questions
8 Ball Strike is a real pool app from Aviagames Inc., the San Mateo company behind Pocket7Games, and it pays cash-match winnings through PayPal. The catch is that cash play means depositing your own money into skill contests you can lose, it's for over-18s only, and several US states can't play for cash.
If you've seen 8 Ball Strike adverts showing someone sinking a few balls and cashing out, you're probably wondering whether it's a real way to make money from pool. I've read the App Store listing and Aviagames' own terms and support pages, plus what the courts and press have reported about the company. Here's what they say, without the hype.
The company behind 8 Ball Strike
The App Store lists Aviagames Inc. as both seller and developer of 8 Ball Strike: Win Real Cash. Aviagames' website files it under sports games alongside Dunk Shot, next to its bingo and solitaire titles, and says its real-money games are built to assess and reward players' skills. Its terms give a company address in San Mateo, California.
So you're dealing with a named US games company with published terms, not an anonymous download. That answers the first half of the legit question. The second half, whether it's a sensible place for your money, is more complicated.
How an 8 Ball Strike match is scored
This isn't classic pool where you take turns with an opponent at the same table. The listing says you race against the clock to post the highest score you can, and each pocket and ball carries a different bonus. You're then ranked against other players who played the same mode.
That scoring style rewards fast, accurate shots and knowing which pockets pay the most bonus. It also means you never see your opponent play. Aviagames' support page explains that its system tries to match you with real, live players of similar skill, but if none is available you may be matched with a recorded game from a real player, which it calls a Historical Playthrough. The profile you see in that case is generated, not the original player's.
Free games versus cash matches in 8 Ball Strike
The app is free to download. According to the listing, you use Coins to play free matches and can practise for free before trying Cash Matches. Cash Matches are where real money comes in: you pay an entry from your deposited balance, and the top scores take the prizes.
Practise first. If your free-match scores don't beat most opponents, cash matches will almost certainly cost you more than they return.
Deposits, withdrawals and fees on 8 Ball Strike
The listing names Apple Pay, Visa and Venmo as partners, and says winnings are withdrawn with PayPal. Aviagames' terms add the fine print that matters:
- The minimum withdrawal is five US dollars, except when you close your account.
- A processing fee may be charged based on your transaction activity, and it isn't refundable. The support page says you'll see it in the app after you enter an amount.
- All Bonus Cash is forfeited when you apply for a withdrawal.
- The support page says it may take 7 or more days for the money to reach your bank or PayPal account.
Check the fee on the withdrawal screen before you confirm, and spend any Bonus Cash first if you plan to withdraw soon.
Who can play 8 Ball Strike for real money
The listing says players must be at least 18, and the app is rated 18+ with contests, gambling and advertising among its content notes. For US states, the two official sources don't match exactly, so I'll give you both:
| Source | No cash matches in |
|---|---|
| 8 Ball Strike App Store listing | Arkansas, Delaware, Louisiana, Michigan, South Dakota and US territories including Puerto Rico |
| Aviagames Terms of Service | Arkansas, Delaware, Louisiana, South Carolina, South Dakota and US territories including Puerto Rico |
If you live in Michigan or South Carolina, assume you can't play for cash until the app itself confirms otherwise. Free games stay open in blocked states, according to the listing.
8 Ball Strike, Pocket7Games and the court cases
Two legal stories involve Aviagames, and it's fair to know about both. First, the law firm King and Spalding says it won a 42.9 million dollar jury verdict for rival platform Skillz on February 9, 2024, with the jury finding that Aviagames' Pocket7Games app willfully infringed a Skillz patent. That was a patent case, not a ruling about bots.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Second, Casino.org reported in 2023 that two players had filed a class action in the US Northern District of California, alleging they played against bots on Aviagames titles including Bingo Tour and Pocket7Games. 8 Ball Strike wasn't named in that report, and Aviagames called the claims baseless. Allegations aren't findings, so I'd treat this as a reason for caution, not a verdict.
Also note that Aviagames' terms include binding arbitration and a class action waiver, with an opt-out window of 30 days. If that matters to you, read the arbitration section of the terms when you first sign up.
Playing 8 Ball Strike with a limit
I couldn't find deposit limit or self-exclusion tools in Aviagames' terms or support page, so the limit has to come from you.
- Decide how much you'll spend each month before your first deposit, and stick to it.
- Treat every entry as the price of a game, not an investment.
- Never deposit again to win back a loss.
- If it stops being fun or starts causing worry, stop and talk to a gambling support service in your area.
8 Ball Strike scams to avoid
Be wary of anyone selling 8 Ball Strike coins, hacks or modded versions, or promising sure-fire cash-match wins. Never pay a stranger to release a withdrawal, and only contact Aviagames through the app or its official support page.
Is 8 Ball Strike worth it?
If you enjoy pool and want quick, scored rounds on your phone, the free mode is fine entertainment. As a money-maker, it's a contest where most entries end up in someone else's prize, so I'd keep cash play small or skip it. If you'd rather play without any stakes at all, see where you can play offline poker games for free, or try my list of card games that work best with two.
Frequently asked questions
Is 8 Ball Strike a real app?
Yes. The App Store lists Aviagames Inc. as seller and developer, and Aviagames publishes terms of service and a support page for its games.
How do you withdraw money from 8 Ball Strike?
Winnings are withdrawn with PayPal. Aviagames' terms set a five US dollar minimum, a processing fee may apply, and Bonus Cash is forfeited when you withdraw.
Can you lose money on 8 Ball Strike?
Yes. Cash matches need an entry from money you've deposited, and only the top scores win prizes, so you can lose what you put in.
Which states can't play 8 Ball Strike for cash?
The listing names Arkansas, Delaware, Louisiana, Michigan, South Dakota and US territories. Aviagames' terms list South Carolina instead of Michigan, so check the app for your state.
Do you play against real people in 8 Ball Strike?
Aviagames says it tries to match you with live players of similar skill, but you may face a Historical Playthrough, a recorded game from a real player.
