Known by millions and played by many, the pool remains on the top of the charts when it comes to indoor sport. Not just physically, but the game remains popular virtually as well. As users can play 8 ball pool online, there are endless opportunities for enjoying it.

8 Ball Pool Rules

Here is a required set of 8 ball pool rules that you need to follow religiously while enjoying the 8-ball pool play online.

1. OBJECT OF THE GAME.

8 ball pool also called the shot game has fifteen object balls which carry numbers 1 to 15 on them and which also has a cue ball. In order to score, a player must score balls of the group 1 through 7 that must be in solid colours, while the other player has to score striped balls numbering 9 to15 stripes.

THE PLAYER who scores the balls of his group first and then legally pockets the 8-ball pool reward is given to the winner.

2. CALL SHOT

A call Shot is where the players are exempted to indicate the obvious balls and pockets. An opponent can ask which ball and pocket if he is not sure about which shot to take. The shots that cannot be included in as the obvious shots are the Bank shots and combination shots. It is advised to the players that care must be taken in calling both the object ball and the pocket in which one intends to score. details like the number of cushions, banks, kisses, caroms, etc are NEVER necessarily indicated When calling the shot. Regardless of the shooter or the opponent who scores it, if a ball is pocketed in this situation, it will be considered as a score not a foul.

The opening shot cannot be a “called shot.” Any player performing a break shot in 8-Ball game online may continue to shoot his next shot so long as he has legally pocketed any object ball on the break.

3. RACKING THE BALLS

A triangle is formed at the foot of the table with the 8 marked balls the middle of it, the first ball of the rack on the foot spot, a stripe ball in one corner of the rack and a solid ball in the other corner.

4. ALTERNATING BREAK

The option to break is given to the winner of the lag. During individual competition, players will alternate breaking on each subsequent game.

5. JUMP AND MASSE SHOT FOUL

When a referee does not preside a match the “cue ball fouls only” is the rule of play over by a, a player who should be aware that it will be considered a cue ball foul if, during an attempt to jump, curve or masse the cue ball over or around an impeding numbered ball that is not a legal object ball, the impeding ball moves irrespective of whether it was moved by a hand, cue stick follow-through or bridge.

6. LEGAL BREAK SHOT

The breaker in order to execute a legal break, (with the cue ball behind the head string) must either

(1) pocket a ball

(2) drive at least four numbered balls to the rail

If the player fails to make a legal break, it is foul, and the incoming player has the option of

(1) accepting the table in position and shooting or

(2) having the balls re-racked and having the option of shooting the opening break himself or allowing the offending player to rebreak.

7. SCRATCH ON A LEGAL BREAK

While attempting a legal break shot if a player scratches on a,

(1) all balls pocketed remain pocketed (exception, the 8-ball),

(2) it is a foul

(3) the table is open.

NOTE: Incoming player has cue ball in hand behind the head string and may not shoot an object ball that is behind the head string unless he first shoots the cue ball past the head string and causes the cue ball to come back behind the head string and hit the object ball.

8. OBJECT BALLS JUMPED OFF THE TABLE ON THE BREAK.

In a situation where a player skips the object ball off the table on the break shot, it will be considered a foul and the incoming player has the option of

accepting the table in position and shooting, or
(2) taking cue ball in hand behind the head string and shooting.

9. 8-BALL POCKETED ON THE BREAK

If a player goals the 8-ball on the break, the breaker has the liberty to ask for a re-rack or have the 8-ball spotted and continue shooting. But if on the break, the breaker scratches while scoring the 8-ball, the incoming player has the option of a rerack or having the 8-ball spotted and begin shooting with ball in hand behind the head string.

10. OPEN TABLE

When the players have not made the choice of the groups (stripes or solids) they want to score, the table is considered to be “open”. A solid first hit is legally open to making a stripe or vice-versa.

Note: After the break shot, the table is always open immediately. When the table is open it is legal to hit any solid or stripe or the 8-ball first in the process of pocketing the called stripe or solid. However, when the table is open and the 8-ball is the first ball contacted, no stripe or solid may be scored in favour of the shooter. The shooter loses his turn; any balls pocketed remain pocketed, and the incoming player addresses the balls with the table still open. On an open table, all illegally pocketed balls remain scored.

11. CHOICE OF GROUP

The choice of stripes or solids is not determined on the break-even if balls are made from only one or both groups. THE TABLE IS ALWAYS OPEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BREAK SHOT. The choice of group is determined only when a player legally pockets a called object ball after the break shot.

12. LEGAL SHOT

(Defined) On all shots (except on the break and when the table is open), the shooter must hit one of his group of balls first

(1) pocket a numbered ball, or

(2) cause the cue ball or any numbered ball to contact a rail.

NOTE: It is permissible for the shooter to bank the cue ball off a rail before contacting his object ball; however, after contact with his object ball, an object ball must be pocketed, OR the cue ball or any numbered ball must contact a rail. Failure to meet these requirements is a foul.

13. “SAFETY” SHOT

For tactical reasons, a player may choose to pocket an obvious object ball and also discontinue his turn at the table by declaring “safety” in advance. A safety shot is defined as a legal shot. If the shooting player intends to play safe by pocketing an obvious object ball, then prior to the shot, he must declare a “safety” to his opponent. If this is NOT done, and one of the shooter’s objects balls is pocketed, the shooter will be required to shoot again. Any ball pocketed on a safety shot remains pocketed.

14. SCORING

A player is entitled to continue shooting until he fails to legally pocket a ball of his group. After a player has legally pocketed all of his group of balls, he shoots to pocket the 8-ball.

15. FOUL PENALTY

Opposing player gets cue ball in hand. This means that the player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table (does not have to be behind the head string except on opening break). This rule prevents a player from making intentional fouls which would put his opponent at a disadvantage. With “cue ball in hand,” the player may use his hand or any part of his cue (including the tip) to position the cue ball. When placing the cue ball in position, any forward stroke motion contacting the cue ball will be a foul, if not a legal shot. (Also see Rule 39 in the General Rules of Pocket Billiards)

The know-how of 8 ball pool rules is the first step to get 8 ball pool rewards and make you the master of it. As the game has been acclamation all over, it can be your next favourite game to play online!

8 ball pool rules source: Billiard Congress of America