The pocekt billiard game 8-ball is probably the most popular billiard game in the United
States and in most parts of the world. 8-ball is a call shot game, in which before a player
strikes at the 8-ball, he must call a certain pocket in which he will pocket the 8-ball in.
8-ball is favored by both amateurs and professional pool players.
8-ball is also the first choice of newbie billiard players. If you are new to the world of
billiard playing, reading the 8-ball rules detailed below would be the best way for you to
start. You can find here introduction to the billiard game's rules and explanations about its
unique terminology.
Equipment
8-ball is played on a standard billiard table with 6 pockets. There are 15 balls plus the cue
ball. The 15 balls divide into two groups: the balls numbered 1-8 are the solid balls and the
balls numbered 9-15 are the colored balls.
The Rack
The 15 balls are racked in a triangle, which is placed at the foot of the table. The 8-ball
is located in the middle of hte triangle; the 1-ball on the foot spot and one solid and one
colored balls on each corner of the triangle.
Object of the Game
The object of the 8-ball is to legally pocket one group of object balls (either the striped
or the solid balls) and then to legally pocket the 8-ball into the called pocket. Note that
pocketing the 8-ball prior to pocketing the entire group of object balls or pocketing the 8-
ball in any pocket but the called pocket, is illegal and therefore does not count.
Opening Break Shot
The 8-ball pool game begins as in all pocket billiard games with an opening break shot, taken
with the cue ball in hand behind the head string by the player who won the lot or lag.
According to the rules of the 8-ball billiard game, a legal break shot requires the player to
either pocket a ball or cause four numbered balls (or more) to contact a rail. If the breaker
fails in completing a legal shot accordign to this definition, it is a foul. When there is a
foul at the break shot the breaker's turn at the table ends and the incoming player may
either continue shooting or requesting for a re-rack.
Choice of Group
The choice of group of object balls is made only after the first ball has been legally
pocketed after the break shot. If more than one ball of differnt groups drops into a pocket
at this shot, then the shooting playe may choose any group he wishes.
Alternating Turns
During the 8-ball pool game, the innings alternate between the participating player. Each of
the players may continue shooting until he commits a foul.
Legal Shot
Except on the break shot, every shot requires its shooter to first hit one of the object
balls and then to either pocket a numbered ball, or to cause the cue ball or any of the
numbered balls to hit a rail.
Safety shot is legal according to 8-ball pool rules.
Combinations shots are also allowed, as long as the 8-ball is excluded.
Pocketed balls are defined as illegal when they were either pocketed during a foul, or when a
safety shot was called before the shot. Additionally, when the 8-ball is pocketed to a
different pocket than the one called, it will also be considered illegal. In 8-ball, even
when the balls were pocketed legally, they stay pocketed.
Penatly for Fouls
The opponent of the player who had committed a foul gets the cue ball in hand anywhere on the
table.
Pocketing the 8-Ball
A player may shoot at the 8-ball only after all his object balls have been pocketed. Prior to
shooting, the player must name a certain pocket of which he will designate the 8-ball. If the
8-ball was pocketed according to these requirements - he wins the game.
Loss of the Game
If a player commits any of these acts, he will lose the game:
-
Commit a foul while playing the 8-ball (except if the 8-ball has been pocketed on the break;
-
Pocket the 8-ball on the same shot that pockets his group of object balls;
-
causes the 8-ball to jump off the table;
-
pocket the 8-ball in a non-called pocket;
-
Pocket the 8-ball before pocketing the object balls.