Rules
8-Ball Rules
9-Ball Rules
General House Rules
- 8 BALL -
1.OBJECT OF THE GAME
The Game is played with a cue ball and 15 object balls, numbered 1 through 15. One player must pocket balls of the group numbered 1 through
7 (solid colors), while the other player has 9 through 15 (stripes). The player who pockets either group first and then legally pockets the 8-ball wins
the game.
2.THE RACK
The 1 ball goes at the point/apex (front of rack) and any stripe and solid ball goes at each of the other two back corners of the rack. The 8 ball goes
in the center of the rack and the other balls can be racked in any order.
3.LEGAL BREAK SHOT DEFINED (8-BALL)
To execute a legal break, the breaker (with the cue ball behind the head string) must either (1) pocket a ball, or (2) drive at least four numbered balls
to the rail. When the breaker fails to make a legal break, it is a 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 or allowing the offending player to re-break.
4. SCRATCH ON A LEGAL BREAK
If a player scratches on a legal break shot, (1) all balls pocketed remain pocketed (exception 8-ball pocketed on break rule), (2) it is a foul, (3) the
table is open. Note: The incoming player has cue ball in hand behind the head string and my 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.
5. OBJECT BALLS JUMPED OF TABLE ON BREAK
If a player jumps an object ball off the table on the break shot, it is a foul an the incoming player has the option of (1) accepting the table in
position and shooting, or (2) taking the cue ball in hand behind the head string and shooting.
6. 8-BALL POCKETED ON THE BREAK
If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break, breaker may ask for a re-rack or have the 8-ball spotted and continue shooting. If the breaker scratches while
pocketing the 8-ball on the break, the incoming player has the option of a re-rack or having the 8-ball spotted and begin shooting with ball in hand
behind the head string.
7. AFTER THE BREAK
The table is considered "open" after the break, even if an object ball is pocketed. If an object ball is pocketed on the break, the player's inning
continues, otherwise the opposing player comes to the table. After the break, whenever a player legally pockets an object ball, his turn continues.
If a player fails to pocket an object ball, the player's opponent comes to the table.
8.OPEN TABLE (8-BALL)
The table is "open" when the choice of groups (stripes or solids) has not yet been determined. When the table is open it is legal to hit a solid first to
make a stripe or vise-versa. However if the table is open and the 8-ball is the first ball contacted, it is a foul and no stripe or solid my not be
scored in favor of the shooter. The shooter loses his turn and the incoming player is awarded cue ball in hand. Any balls pocketed remain pocketed.
The incoming player addresses the balls with the table still open. On an open table, all illegally pocketed balls remain pocketed.
9.CHOICE OF GROUP
The choice of group (stripes or solids) is determined only when a plaer legally pockets a object ball after the break.
10. "SAFETY" SHOT
For tactical reasons, a player may choose to pocket an obvious ball an also discontinue a 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, the shooter
must declare a "safety" to the opponent. It is the shooter's responsibility to make the opponent aware of the intended safety shot. If this is not done,
and one of the shooter's object balls is pocketed, the shooter will be required to shoot again. Any ball pocketed on a safety shot remains pocketed.
11. FOUL PENALTY
If a foul is issued then the opposing player gets cue ball in hand. This means that the player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table. A player
may use his hand or any part of a cue to position the cue ball, but any forward stroke motion contacting the cue ball will be a foul, if not a legal shot.
12.OBJECT BALLS JUMPED OFF THE TABLE
If any object ball is jumped off the table, it is a foul and loss of turn, unless it is the 8-ball, which is a loss of game. Any jumped object balls are
spotted.
13.COMBINATIONS
Are allowed, but the player must strike his object ball first. (8 ball is NOT neutral) if the 8-ball is struck first it will be considered a foul.
14. LOSS OF GAME
A player loses the game by committing any of the following infractions:
a)Fouls when pocketing the 8-ball (exception: see 8-ball pocketed on break).
b)Pockets the 8-ball on the same stroke as the last of his group of balls.
c)Pockets the 8-ball in a pocket other then the one-called.
d)Pockets the 8-ball when it is not the legal object ball.
15.8 BALL SHOT
A scratch on the 8-ball is considered a loss of the game. If a foul occurs, other then a scratch, the opposing player receives "ball in hand".
16.CONSECTUTIVE FOULS
Three fouls in a row is NOT a loss.
NOTE: THE RULES STATED ABOVE ARE FROM THE BILLIARD CONGRESS OF AMERICA AND HAVE BEEN MODIFIED FOR PLAY BY THE UD BILLIARD CLUB. THESE RULES ARE
COPYRIGHTED BY THE BILLIARD CONGRESS OF AMERICA AND ARE ONLY USED HERE FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES. FOR COMPLETE OFFICIAL RULES OF THE GAME
(NOT THE UD BILLIARD CLUB RULES), PLEASE SEE THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE BILLIARD CONGRESS OF AMERICA.
1.OBJECT OF THE GAME
Nine-Ball is played with nine object balls numbered one through nine and a cue ball. ON each shot, the first ball the cue ball contacts must be the lowest numbered ball on the table, but the balls need not be pocketed in order. If a player pockets any ball on a legal shot, he remains at the table for another shot, and continues until missing, committing a foul, or winning the game by pocketing the 9-ball. After a miss, the incoming player must shoot from the position left by the previous player, but after any foul the incoming player may start with the cue ball anywhere on the table. Players are not required to call any shot. A match ends when one of the players has won the required number of games.
2.THE RACK
The object balls are racked in a diamond shape, with the 1-ball at the top of the diamond and on the foot spot, the 9-ball in the center of the diamond, and the other balls in random order, racked as tightly as possible. The game begins with cue ball in hand behind the head string.
3.LEGAL BREAK SHOT DEFINED (9-BALL)
The rules governing the break shot are the same as for other shots except:
a)The breaker must strike the 1-ball first and either pocket a ball or drive at least four numbered balls to the rail.
b)If the cue ball is pocketed or driven off the table, or the requirements of the opening break are not met, it is a foul, and the incoming player has cue ball in hand anywhere on the table.
c)If on the break shot, the breaker causes an object ball to jump off the table, it is a foul and the incoming player has cue ball in hand anywhere on the table. The object ball is spotted.
4.PUSH OUT
On the shot immediately following a legal break, the shooter may play a "push out." The player who shoots the shot immediately after a legal break may play a push out in an attempt to move the cue ball into a better position for the option that follows. On a push out, the cue ball is not required to contact any object ball nor any rail, but all other foul rules still apply. The player must announce the intention of playing a push out before the shot, or the shot is considered to be a normal shot. Any ball pocketed on a push out does not count and remains pocketed except the 9-ball. Following a legal push out, the incoming player is permitted to shoot from that position or to pass the shot back to the player who pushed out. A push out is not considered to be a foul as long as no rule is violated. An illegal push out is penalized according to the type of foul committed. After a player scratches on the break shot, the incoming player cannot play a push out.
5. OBJECT BALLS JUMPED OF TABLE ON BREAK
If a player jumps an object ball off the table on the break shot, it is a foul an the incoming player has the option of (1) accepting the table in position and shooting, or (2) taking the cue ball in hand behind the head string and shooting.
6. FOULS
When a player commits a foul, he must relinquish his run at the table and balls pocketed on the foul are spotted. The incoming player is awarded ball in hand anywhere on the table. IF a player commits several fouls on one shot, they are counted as only one foul.
7.BAD HIT
If the first object ball is pocketed, failure to drive the cue ball or any numbered ball to a rail after the cue ball contacts the object ball is a foul.
8. NO RAIL
If no object ball is pocketed, failure to drive the cue ball or any numbered ball to a rail after the cue ball contacts the object ball is a foul.
9. OBJECT BALLS JUMPED OFF THE TABLE
If any object ball is jumped off the table, it is a foul and loss of turn. Any jumped object balls are spotted.
10.CONSECTUTIVE FOULS
Three consecutive fouls on three successive shots without making an intervening legal shot, the game is lost. The three fouls must occur in one game. The warning must be given between the second and third fouls. A player's inning begins when it is legal to take a shot and ends at the end of a shot on which he misses, fouls or wins, or when he fouls between shots.
NOTE: THE RULES STATED ABOVE ARE FROM THE BILLIARD CONGRESS OF AMERICA AND HAVE BEEN MODIFIED FOR PLAY BY THE UD BILLIARD CLUB. THESE RULES ARE COPYRIGHTED BY THE BILLIARD CONGRESS OF AMERICA AND ARE ONLY USED HERE FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES. FOR COMPLETE OFFICIAL RULES OF THE GAME (NOT THE UD BILLIARD CLUB RULES), PLEASE SEE THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE BILLIARD CONGRESS OF AMERICA.
1.STRIKING CUE BALL
Legal shots require that the cue ball be struck only with the cue tip. Failure to meet this requirement is a foul.
2.FAILURE TO POCKET A BALL
If a player fails to pocket a ball on a legal shot, then the player's inning is over, and it is the opponent's turn at the table.
3. OPENING BREAK SHOT
The opening break shot is determined by a lag. The player winning the lag has the choice of performing the opening break shot or assigning it to the opponent.
4.POCKETED BALLS
A ball is considered pocketed if as a result of an otherwise legal shot, it drops off the bed of the table into the pocket and remains there. A ball that rebounds from a pocket back onto the table bed is not a pocketed ball.
5.POSITION OF BALLS
The position of a ball is judged by where its base (or center) rests. 6.FOOT ON FLOOR
Player must have at least one foot in contact with the floor at the moment the cue tip contacts the cue ball, or the shot is a foul. Foot attire must be normal in regard to size, shape and manner in which it is worn.
7.SHOOTING WITH BALLS IN MOTION
It is a foul if a player shoots while the cue ball or any object ball is in motion (a spinning ball is in motion).
8. HEAD STRING DEFINED
The area behind the head string does not include the head string. Thus, an object ball that is dead center on the head string is playable when specific game rules require that a player must shoot at a ball past the head string. Likewise, the cue ball when being put in play behind the head string (cue ball in hand behind the head string), may not be placed directly on the head string; it must be behind it.
NOTE: THE RULES STATED ABOVE ARE FROM THE BILLIARD CONGRESS OF AMERICA AND HAVE BEEN MODIFIED FOR PLAY BY THE UD BILLIARD CLUB. THESE RULES ARE COPYRIGHTED BY THE BILLIARD CONGRESS OF AMERICA AND ARE ONLY USED HERE FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES. FOR COMPLETE OFFICIAL RULES OF THE GAME (NOT THE UD BILLIARD CLUB RULES), PLEASE SEE THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE BILLIARD CONGRESS OF AMERICA.