How To Play 8 Ball
Instructions and Rules
Object of the Game
Eight Ball is a call-shot game played with the cue ball and all
standard object
balls (1 through 15). It is played by dividing the object balls into two
groups: solids (1
through 7) and stripes (9 through 15). Each player tries to pocket all the
balls in their group,
and then legally pocket the 8 ball.
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Racking and Breaking
The balls are racked in a triangle at the foot of the table
with the 8 ball in the
center. The first ball of the rack rests on the footspot, with a striped
ball in one corner and
a solid ball in the other corner. Winner of the lag has the option to break.
Players alternate
breaking on each subsequent game.
- The table is open immediately after the break.
- The breaker must either pocket a ball or drive at least four object
balls to the rail.
Failure to make a legal break is a foul.
- On a foul break, the incoming player has the option of accepting the
table in position
and shooting, or reracking the balls. The incoming player may then shoot
the
opening break
instead or allow their opponent to rebreak.
- If a player scratches on a legal break, all balls pocketed remain
pocketed (except
the 8 ball). It counts as a foul, and the table is open.
- If the shooter jumps an object ball off the table on the break shot, it
is a foul. The
incoming player may accept the table in position and shoot or position the
cue ball behind
the head string and shoot.
- If the 8 ball is pocketed on the break, the breaker may ask for a rerack
or have the 8
ball spotted and continue shooting.
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Game Play
One player tries to pocket balls 1 through 7 (solids), while
the other player tries
to pocket balls 9 through 15 (stripes). The choice of group is determined by
the first
ball a player legally pockets after the break.
- Obvious balls and pockets do not have to be called, but bank shots and
combination shots
are not considered obvious.
- It is not necessary to indicate details such as number of cushions,
banks, kisses, etc.
- Any balls pocketed on a foul remain pocketed.
- Combination shots are allowed; however, a combination shot can never be
used to legally
pocket the 8 ball.
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Winning
Once a player has pocketed his or her group (stripes or solids)
the object of the game is
pocketing the 8 ball. The player who can do this legally wins the game.
A player loses the game under the following circumstances:
- If they foul or scratch when pocketing the 8 ball
- If they pocket the 8 ball on the same stroke as the last of their group
of balls
- If they jump the 8 ball off the table at any time
- If they pocket the 8 ball in a pocket other than the one called
- If they pocket the 8 ball when it is not the legal object ball
- If they pocket the 8 ball using a combination shot
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