Game Rules
Compiled from the WPA World Standardized Rules, covering the official rules of 8-Ball, 9-Ball and 10-Ball — useful for beginners and experienced players alike.
Where is the foot spot?
The apex ball of the rack — triangle or diamond — sits on the foot spot. It lies midway between the centre spot and the foot cushion: three quarters along the table's length, centred across its width.
8-Ball
The classic game, set out here per the WPA standardized rules. One player takes the solids (1-7), the other the stripes (9-15); once your group is cleared, you call a pocket and pot the black 8 to win.
1.0 Object of the game
8-Ball is played with a cue ball and fifteen numbered balls (1-15). Balls 1-7 are solids, 9-15 are stripes. Each player takes one group; the first to clear their group and then legally pot the black 8 wins.
2.0 The break
In friendly play the break is usually decided by lag or agreement, then alternated each rack.
2.1 Racking: Balls are racked at random in a triangle with the base parallel to the foot cushion and the apex ball on the foot spot. The 8 goes in the centre of the rack, with one solid and one stripe in the two back corners.
3.0 Legal break
Breaking from anywhere behind the head string, you must either pot at least one ball or drive at least four balls (cue ball included) to a cushion. No pocket needs to be called and the cue ball need not strike any particular ball first. Fail this and the break is illegal: the balls are re-racked and the opponent may either break themselves or make you break again.
Break fouls include: Pocketing or jumping the cue ball off the table, and any numbered ball leaving the table or coming to rest on top of a cushion. If the break is legal but a foul occurs, the opponent takes ball in hand behind the head string, and must play at a ball beyond the head string or foul in turn.
4.0 Potting the 8 on the break
Legally potting the 8 on the break wins the rack. Pot the 8 while committing a foul — the cue ball going down, for instance — and the breaker loses the rack.
5.0 Open table
After the break the table is open until a player legally pots a called solid or stripe, which assigns the groups. While the table is open you may use a ball from either group to pot a ball from the other. The 8 may be part of a combination, but must not be the first ball struck — that is a foul.
6.0 Continuing play — call pocket
8-Ball is a call-pocket game: state which ball into which pocket, though obvious shots need no announcement. Banks, kicks and combinations of two or more balls must always be called, or the shot counts as a miss. Pot your called ball and you continue until you miss, foul or win. Any ball pocketed, legally or not, stays down regardless of group. The break is never a called shot.
7.0 Fouls — ball in hand
Each of the following gives the opponent ball in hand — the cue ball may be placed anywhere on the table. Several infractions on one stroke still count as a single foul:
- Cue ball pocketed or off the table: Pocketing the cue ball or driving it off the table is a foul.
- Wrong ball first: The cue ball's first contact is not a ball from your own group (once your group is cleared, the 8 becomes your ball).
- No cushion after contact: After legal contact, no ball — cue ball included — reaches a cushion or a pocket. Resting against a cushion is not the same as driving into one.
- Ball off the table: Any ball leaving the table is a foul. It is not returned to play and the opponent takes ball in hand. If the 8 leaves the table, you lose the rack outright.
- Both feet off the floor: Having both feet off the floor at the moment of contact is a foul.
- Bad jump shot: A legal jump must strike downward into the cue ball; a miscue is a foul.
- Shooting before balls stop, or double-hitting: Both are fouls. For double hits, judge by the usual 45-degree rule on close shots.
- Touching a moving or stationary ball: Touching a ball in motion with hand or cue is a foul. A disturbed stationary ball may only be replaced with the opponent's agreement; otherwise it is a foul too.
8.0 Losing the rack
Legally potting the 8 wins. You lose the rack immediately if you pot the 8 before clearing your group, pot the 8 while pocketing the cue ball, pot it in the wrong called pocket, or drive it off the table. Three consecutive fouls with no legal shot between them also lose the rack, though amateur friendly play usually drops this rule. And if you have been shooting at the opponent's group as if it were your own, once discovered you give up the table and the opponent takes ball in hand.
9.0 General rules
The following apply throughout the match:
- Playing out of turn: If a player shoots out of turn, once noticed the correct player resumes at the table; no foul is charged.
- Marking the table: Marking the cloth in any way to help aim is a foul unless the mark is removed before the shot to the opponent's or referee's satisfaction.
- Distracting the opponent: While a player is shooting, the other side — teammates included — must not make noise, move about or otherwise interfere.
- Calling safe: You may declare a safety before the shot and hand over the table even if you pot a ball, provided the opponent clearly hears the declaration.
- Stalemate: If both players intentionally foul or pocket the cue ball for three consecutive turns, each judging that any attempt would lose the rack, the rack is a stalemate and is replayed.
- Split hit: If the cue ball strikes a legal and an illegal ball so nearly at once that the order cannot be judged, the call goes in the shooter's favour.
- Balls must stay down: A ball counts as pocketed only if it stays down. A ball that rebounds onto the playing surface is not pocketed — so an 8 that jumps back out is not a win, and a cue ball that does the same is not a scratch.
- Hanging balls: A ball hanging in the jaws that falls within 5 seconds of coming to rest counts as pocketed. Falling later, it is replaced on the lip and play continues with the opponent.
- Supported balls: If one or more balls hang below the lip supported by balls already pocketed, and would drop once the supporting balls are removed, they count as pocketed.
- Settling: A ball that shifts slightly after coming to rest because of the cloth or an uneven bed is normal and is not replaced. If it settles into a pocket, it is restored as closely as possible to its position on the lip.
- Jump equipment: A legal jump is made with the cue tip only; scooping the cue ball with the shaft or joint is not allowed. Dedicated jump cues must meet normal industry specification and be at least 40 inches long.
- Equipment: Only normal accepted equipment may be used — playing cue, break cue, extensions and so on — and each only for its intended purpose. Misuse is a foul.
9-Ball
Played with balls 1-9 — fast, and all about position play. No pockets are called; the first player to legally pot the 9, combinations included, wins the rack.(An older version of the rules, but simpler to rack and to score — good for casual players and beginners.)
1.0 Object of the game
On every shot the cue ball must first strike the lowest-numbered ball on the table. After that contact, the 9 potted by the cue ball or any numbered ball wins. If the lowest ball or another ball is legally pocketed but the 9 is not, you continue. If nothing is pocketed, some ball — cue ball or object ball — must reach a cushion, or it is a foul.
2.0 Break and rack
2.1 Racking: Balls are racked in a diamond with the 1 on the foot spot at the apex, the 9 in the centre and the 2 at the back of the diamond; the rest are placed at random.
3.0 Legal break
Breaking from anywhere behind the head string, you must pot at least one ball or drive at least three numbered balls to a cushion. Otherwise the break is illegal: re-rack, and the opponent may break or ask you to break again.
Break fouls include: Failing to strike the 1 first; pocketing or jumping the cue ball off the table; any ball leaving the table or resting on a cushion. If the break is legal but a foul occurs, the opponent takes ball in hand — and the foul counts toward consecutive fouls.
4.0 Potting the 9 on the break
Legally potting the 9 on the break wins the rack.
5.0 Push out
Only on the shot immediately after the break may you declare a push out: the cue ball must be struck, but need not contact a ball or a cushion. Announce it to the opponent or referee beforehand, or it counts as a normal shot. Balls pocketed on a push out stay down, except the 9, which is spotted on the foot spot. The opponent then either shoots from where the balls lie or passes the shot back — and play continues as usual.
6.0 Continuing play
On the shot after a legal break or push out, the cue ball must first strike the lowest-numbered ball or it is a foul. You continue until you miss, foul or win; the same rules apply once the opponent takes over. The rack ends when the 9 is legally potted or a player concedes.
7.0 Fouls — ball in hand
A foul ends your turn and gives the opponent ball in hand anywhere on the table. Several infractions on one stroke count as a single foul:
- Cue ball pocketed or off the table: Pocketing the cue ball or driving it off the table is a foul.
- Wrong ball first: The cue ball's first contact is not the lowest-numbered ball on the table.
- No cushion after contact: After legal contact, no ball — cue ball included — reaches a cushion or a pocket. Resting against a cushion does not count.
- Ball off the table: Any ball leaving the table is a foul. If it is the 9, it is spotted on the foot spot and the opponent continues with ball in hand.
- Feet off the floor / shooting before balls stop / double hit: All three are fouls. For double hits, judge by the usual 45-degree rule.
- Bad jump shot: A legal jump must strike downward into the cue ball; a miscue is a foul.
- Touching a moving or stationary ball: Touching a moving ball is a foul. A disturbed stationary ball may only be replaced with the opponent's agreement.
8.0 Losing the rack
Legally potting the 9 wins. If the 9 is pocketed on a foul — say the cue ball goes down too — it is spotted and the rack continues; there is no instant loss. In professional play, three consecutive fouls in one rack with no legal shot between them lose the rack, with a verbal warning due at the second foul. Amateur friendly play usually drops this.
9.0 General rules
The following apply throughout the match:
- Playing out of turn: If a player shoots out of turn, once noticed the correct player resumes at the table; no foul is charged.
- Marking the table: Marking the cloth in any way to help aim is a foul unless the mark is removed before the shot to the opponent's or referee's satisfaction.
- Distracting the opponent: While a player is shooting, the other side — teammates included — must not make noise, move about or otherwise interfere.
- Split hit: If the cue ball strikes a legal and an illegal ball so nearly at once that the order cannot be judged, the call goes in the shooter's favour.
- Balls must stay down: A ball counts as pocketed only if it stays down. A 9 that rebounds onto the table is not a win, and a cue ball that does the same is not a scratch.
- Hanging balls: A ball hanging in the jaws that falls within 5 seconds of coming to rest counts as pocketed. Falling later, it is replaced on the lip and play continues with the opponent.
- Supported balls: If one or more balls hang below the lip supported by balls already pocketed, and would drop once the supporting balls are removed, they count as pocketed.
- Settling: A ball that shifts slightly after coming to rest because of the cloth or an uneven bed is normal and is not replaced. If it settles into a pocket, it is restored as closely as possible to its position on the lip.
- Jump equipment: A legal jump is made with the cue tip only; scooping the cue ball with the shaft or joint is not allowed. Dedicated jump cues must meet normal industry specification and be at least 40 inches long.
- Equipment: Only normal accepted equipment may be used, and only for its intended purpose. Misuse is a foul.
10-Ball
Close to 9-Ball, but played with balls 1-10 and called throughout — more demanding on position and calculation. A mainstay of WPA professional events.
1.0 Object of the game
The object is to legally pot the 10 in a called pocket. On every shot the cue ball must first strike the lowest-numbered ball; after that, the cue ball or any ball may send the 10 into any pocket — provided it was called. If nothing is pocketed, some ball must reach a cushion or it is a foul.
2.0 Break and rack
2.1 Racking: Balls are racked in a triangle with the 1 on the foot spot, the 10 in the centre, the 2 and 3 placed at random in the back corners and the rest at random.
3.0 Legal break
Breaking from anywhere behind the head string, you must pot at least one ball or drive at least three numbered balls to a cushion. Otherwise the break is illegal: re-rack, and the opponent may break or ask you to break again.
Break fouls include: Failing to strike the 1 first; pocketing or jumping the cue ball off the table; any ball leaving the table or resting on a cushion. If the break is legal but a foul occurs, the opponent takes ball in hand — and the foul counts toward consecutive fouls.
4.0 Potting the 10 on the break
Potting the 10 on the break does not win; it is spotted on the foot spot and the breaker continues. Only a called, legal 10 during normal play wins the rack.
5.0 Push out
Only on the shot immediately after the break may you declare a push out: the cue ball must be struck but need not contact a ball or cushion, and it must be announced beforehand or it counts as a normal shot. Balls pocketed stay down, except the 10, which is spotted. The opponent then shoots from where the balls lie or passes the shot back.
6.0 Continuing play — called all the way
On the shot after a legal break or push out, the cue ball must strike the lowest ball first or it is a foul. In 10-Ball every shot is called:
- Called ball into the wrong pocket: the opponent may accept the table as it lies or make you shoot again.
- Called ball potted along with an uncalled ball: you continue.
- Called ball missed but an uncalled ball potted: the opponent may accept the table or make you shoot again.
- Obvious shots need no call, and the break is never a called shot.
7.0 Fouls — ball in hand
A foul ends your turn and gives the opponent ball in hand anywhere on the table. Several infractions on one stroke count as a single foul:
- Cue ball pocketed or off the table: Pocketing the cue ball or driving it off the table is a foul.
- Wrong ball first: The cue ball's first contact is not the lowest-numbered ball on the table.
- No cushion after contact: After legal contact, no ball — cue ball included — reaches a cushion or a pocket.
- Ball off the table: Any ball leaving the table is a foul; if it is the 10, it is spotted on the foot spot.
- Feet off the floor / shooting before balls stop / double hit: All three are fouls. For double hits, judge by the usual 45-degree rule.
- Touching a moving or stationary ball: Touching a moving ball is a foul. A disturbed stationary ball may only be replaced with the opponent's agreement.
8.0 Losing the rack
Legally potting the 10 wins. In professional play, three consecutive fouls in one rack with no legal shot between them lose the rack, with a verbal warning due at the second foul; amateur friendly play usually drops this.
9.0 General rules
The following apply throughout the match:
- Playing out of turn: If a player shoots out of turn, once noticed the correct player resumes at the table; no foul is charged.
- Marking the table: Marking the cloth in any way to help aim is a foul unless the mark is removed before the shot to the opponent's or referee's satisfaction.
- Distracting the opponent: While a player is shooting, the other side — teammates included — must not make noise, move about or otherwise interfere.
- Split hit: If the cue ball strikes a legal and an illegal ball so nearly at once that the order cannot be judged, the call goes in the shooter's favour.
- Balls must stay down: A ball counts as pocketed only if it stays down. A 10 that rebounds onto the table is not a win, and a cue ball that does the same is not a scratch.
- Hanging balls: A ball hanging in the jaws that falls within 5 seconds of coming to rest counts as pocketed. Falling later, it is replaced on the lip and play continues with the opponent.
- Supported balls: If one or more balls hang below the lip supported by balls already pocketed, and would drop once the supporting balls are removed, they count as pocketed.
- Settling: A ball that shifts slightly after coming to rest because of the cloth or an uneven bed is normal and is not replaced. If it settles into a pocket, it is restored as closely as possible to its position on the lip.
- Jump equipment: A legal jump is made with the cue tip only; scooping the cue ball with the shaft or joint is not allowed. Dedicated jump cues must meet normal industry specification and be at least 40 inches long.
- Equipment: Only normal accepted equipment may be used, and only for its intended purpose. Misuse is a foul.
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