Pool rules: rules and information about all popular pocket billiards variations

8-ball

8-ball is the most popular and widespread game variation in pool. It is played with all 15 object balls, which are divided into the groups of »solid« (1-7) and »striped« balls (9-15) and the black eight. The first regularly pocketed ball after the break decides which player plays which group.

8-ball is a called-shot game. Therefore, in order to pocket a ball correctly and continue to play, it must be called beforehand which ball is to be pocketed in which pocket. Combinations are generally allowed. A player must always hit one ball of his group first in order to make a correct shot. In the case of obvious shots, no call needs to be made.

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Objective of the game

The objective of the game is to pocket all the balls in your group and then the black eight ball. The pocket for the eight ball must be called, but may be re-selected for each attempt. According to the official rules of the WPA (World Pool Association), the eight ball does not have to be played into the same or opposite pocket of the last pocketed ball. However, such rule variations are quite possible and common.

How to rack the balls

• The foremost ball comes to the foot spot
• The eight ball is placed in the center of the rack
• A »solid« and a »striped« ball are placed at each of the two back corners
• The rest of the balls are placed randomly

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Break shot

At the break, the cue ball may be placed anywhere in the kitchen. No particular ball must be hit first, and no ball must be called. If a ball is pocketed during the break, the break is automatically valid and the player breaking remains at the table. If no ball is pocketed, at least four object balls must hit one or more rails after the first contact of the cue ball with the rack for the break to be correct. If this is met, the shot changes and the other player takes over.

If no four balls touch a rail, the break is illegal. The player who did not break then has the choice

• to take over the picture as it lies anyway
• let the other player take the shot again
• to break himself

If the black eight is pocketed at the break, the player who has the next shot may decide whether to

• re-rack and take a new break shot
• the eight ball is placed on the foot spot and he takes over the picture as it is.

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If both the cue ball and the black eight ball are pocketed, the opponent decides whether to re-rack or to take over the position with the black ball re-spotted. In this case, he then has »ball-in-hand« from the kitchen.

After the break shot, the player entitled to take over the position is basically free to choose which group he wants to take over. Even if only »stripes« is pocketed at the break, the player can choose the »solids« if he thinks they are better. The groups are only finally assigned when the player has pocketed a ball in accordance with the rules. As long as the groups have not been assigned, »mixed« combinations may be played, e.g. a »solid« may be played first and a called »stripe« may be pocketed in a called pocket. The eight may never be played first.

Fouls

After a foul, the other player always has ball-in-hand and may place the cue ball anywhere on the table for his next shot. The only exception is at the break. If the player commits a foul here, the other player may only move the cue ball inside the kitchen and may only play balls first that are outside the kitchen.

Object balls pocketed during a foul always remain in the pocket. A foul occurs when

• the cue ball is pocketed into a pocket
• the cue ball does not touch another ball
• the cue ball or an object ball jumps off the table
• a ball of the other group or the eight ball is hit first, as long as balls of the own group are still on the table
• after the first contact of the cue ball with an object ball, no ball touches at least one rail or is pocketed
• the cue ball is touched more than once during the shot (push shot foul)
• one or more balls are touched with the cue, body, clothing or in any other way
• a shot is made while at least one ball is still moving on the table
• at least one foot of the player does not touch the floor during the shot

Lost game due to incorrectly pocketing the eight ball

A game is considered lost when the black eight ball

• is pocketed while there are still object balls of the own group on the table
• is pocketed in a pocket other than the one called in each case
• the black eight is pocketed and a foul is committed at the same time

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