How To Play 9 Ball
Instructions and Rules
Object of the Game
Nine Ball is played with object balls 1 through 9, and
the cue ball. Each shot must touch the lowest numbered ball on the table first,
but
the balls need not be pocketed in numeric order. This non-call game is won
when
a player legally pockets the 9 ball, and is often played in a best-of
series.
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Racking and Breaking
The object balls are racked in a diamond shape, with the 1-ball
at the top on the footspot, the 9-ball in the center, and the remaining balls
in random order, packed as tightly as possible. To break,
the shooter must strike the 1 ball first and either pocket a ball or drive at
least four object balls to the rail.
- After a successful break, the shooter may play a "push out," moving the
cue ball into a better position for the next shot.
- Failure to make a legal break is a foul.
- If the shooter misses or fouls, the other player begins their "inning"
and
shoots until they miss, foul, or win.
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Game Play
Each player uses their inning to try to pocket the 9 ball,
while
always touching the lowest numbered ball first in each shot. Shots do
not need to be called in this game.
- After a miss or foul, the incoming player may set the cue ball
anywhere on the table and continue their inning until they miss, foul, or
win.
- When a player commits a foul, they relinquish their inning and balls
pocketed on the foul remain pocketed.
- The 9-ball is respotted if it is pocketed on a foul.
- If the first object ball contacted by the cue ball is not the lowest
numbered ball on the table, the shot is a foul.
- If no object ball is pocketed and neither the cue ball nor any numbered
ball are driven to the rail, the shot is a foul.
- If an object ball is driven off the table, it is a foul.
- While the lowest numbered ball on the table must be first touched in
each
shot, the balls need not be pocketed in order.
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Winning
The player who legally pockets the 9 ball wins the game and the
match
ends when one player has won the agreed-upon numbr of games.
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