The HISTORY of BONK

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Date of Concept:

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The concept for the unique Bingo-type game originally called "POOL" (presently "BONK") was developed by Mike and Billie (Joan K.) Olmon on November 19, 2025

 

Core Concept Development:

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On November 19, 2025, Mike and Billie were working on plans for Mike's Birthday Pool Party on November 22. Mike's pool league friends and their spouses or guests were invited to Danny K's pool hall in Orange for a "3 Strikes Out" tournament with prizes

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The idea grew out of wanting something fun for spectators to do while watching the players — a game that could actually connect them to the action on the table. The concept of a Bingo-style game developed.

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Challenge:

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How to incorporate a Bingo game that related directly to pool was the challenge. The fact that "3 Strikes Out" uses 15 balls was the problem to solve. A regular Bingo game has 5 columns and 5 rows.

Mike thought: what if we developed a game to accommodate the pool balls? Since players take shots one at a time, a spectator could mark a pool card each time a ball dropped into a pocket.

"We can have 4 columns and 4 rows. The letters spelling 'POOL' instead of 'BINGO' would be at the top."

Each winner of the game could get a prize just like the pool players! It was a great idea — but how to implement it in time for the party?

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Implementation:

 

​Mike's skills as a software engineer led him to create a system to randomize numbers for enough individual cards for party guests. The randomization was successful. The first cards of "POOL" (presently titled "BONK") were printed on our home computer. Rules were discussed, and the game was ready for the party on Saturday, November 22.

Proof of Concept:

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Six players arrived at Danny K's and started playing "3 Strikes Out." Since no spouses or guests attended the party, we left the "POOL" cards on a table near the cake. Someone asked about the game and wanted to try it.

Mike showed the cards to the players, and everyone shooting in the tournament wanted to play. At the end of the party, comments poured in — players told Billie and Mike they'd had a great time playing POOL Bingo. More importantly, several said the game should be published.

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Discussion of Publication and Development:

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Throughout the holiday season, Mike and Billie discussed the success of the game, and the consensus was clear: taking the first steps toward publication was the right move.

After the new year, Mike and Billie began moving toward formal publication in earnest.

On June 5, Mike brought the cards to a pool hall in Orange County featuring "3 Strikes Out" and received enthusiastic interest. The following day, when a facilitator asked to make his own version under a different name, we knew it was time to move quickly. BONK is our original concept, created November 19, 2025 — and we're ready to share it with you.

We have now formalized the rules of this unique spectator game for anyone watching their favorite player in "3 Strikes Out" tournaments, or looking for "a game behind the game" while playing or watching 8-Ball, 1_Pocket, or any pool game using 15 balls.

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We're so happy you're interested in following our journey and look forward to hearing from you as you and your friends add a whole new layer of fun to your favorite pool hall.

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