What are the 8 ball pool rules?

Eight Ball is a call shot game played with a cue ball and fifteen 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 thru 15 (stripes). THE PLAYER POCKETING HIS GROUP FIRST AND THEN LEGALLY POCKETING THE 8-BALL WINS THE GAME.

What are the basic rules of pool?

What is a foul in 8-ball pool?

If a player fails to hit the 8-ball while shooting at it, it is a foul and the game continues. When the 8-ball is the legal object ball, a scratch or foul is not a loss of game if the 8-ball is not pocketed or jumped off the table. Incoming player has cue ball in hand.

What is a foul in pool?

It is a foul to strike, touch or in any way make contact with the cue ball in play or any object balls in play with anything (the body, clothing, chalk, me- mechanical bridge, cue shaft, etc.) except the cue tip (while attached to the cue shaft), which may contact the cue ball in the execution of a legal shot.

What are the rules for the last ball in 8-ball pool?

In standard 8-ball, the player who drops the 8-ball into any pocket wins. In last pocket 8-ball, you must pocket the 8-ball in the same pocket where you put your last object ball. If you were shooting stripes and made your final striped ball in the far right pocket, then that makes it your last pocket.

The Rules of 8 Ball Pool (Eight Ball Pool) - EXPLAINED!

Can you sink your last ball and the 8-ball?

The second player receives a chance to position and pocket any remaining balls. If you pocket the 8-ball and then your last ball, this is also a lost game because you pocketed the 8-ball before all of your balls were pocketed. That defines your loss.

When can you sink the 8-ball?

The 8-Ball cannot be sunk in conjunction with the last of the Player's suited balls, the 8-Ball shot must be taken by itself. All fouls apply to the 8-Ball attempt as well, and result in giving the opponent ball in hand - unless the 8-Ball is sunk, which then counts for a loss.

What happens if you sink the cue ball?

The phenomenon of sinking a cue ball is called a Scratch and results in a penalty, and you lose the turn to the opponent. If you pot a cue ball, the opponent gets the cue ball in hand and can place the cue ball anywhere behind the head string during their turn.

Is scratching on the 8-ball a loss?

Scratching on the 8-ball is not a loss of game as long as the 8-ball was not pocketed. If the first object ball contacted by the cue ball is not a numbered ball from the shooter's established group, it is a ball in hand foul.

Do you get 2 shots on the 8-ball?

The eight-ball must be the last ball potted to win the game. 5. In the event of a foul, the opposing player receives two shots and these shots carry (i.e. if a ball is potted on the first shot, the player still has two shots).

Do you have to hit a rail in 8-ball?

A rail must be hit by either the cue ball or any other ball after the cue ball contacts the object ball. A pocketed ball counts as a rail. A sentence that should answer many questions is: “ANY ball must go to a rail AFTER LEGAL contact unless your ball is made.”

What happens if you don't hit the cushion in pool?

The opening player plays at the triangle of object balls by striking the cue ball from any position on, or behind, the baulk line. An object ball must be pocketed, or at least TWO object balls hit any cushion. Failure to do so is a foul break and will result in the balls be re-racked as per rule sheet.

What are the 3 point rules in pool?

The 3-point break rule is in effect. For a break to be legal a player must drive 3 object balls past the head string, or a combination of 3 pocketed balls and balls above the head string. Failure to execute a legal break is not a foul.

Can you hit 8-ball first?

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 favor of the shooter.

Do you look at cue ball or object ball?

Best results can vary from one person to another, but it is generally recommended to focus on the object ball (or the center of the ghost ball, desired contact point, ball-hit fraction, or a point on the cloth or cushion) instead of the cue ball during the final stroke.

When you scratch in pool where do you put the ball?

A scratch, foul, or illegal shot results in ball-in-hand, where your opponent can place the cue ball anywhere on the table in preparation for the next shot. The only exception to this is the break (see the 8-ball and 9-ball differences that follow).

What happens if you scratch on the 8-ball after you make it?

APA rules state that the player loses the game when they scratch while hitting the 8 ball to finish the game, regardless of whether or not the 8 ball was pocketed.

Can you combo off an opponent's ball?

COMBINATION SHOTS - Combination shots are legal, but striking the correct ball first is required except in an "open table" situation. The 8-ball is not neutral. A player is credited with all balls he legal1y pockets. When a player does not pocket one of his balls but pocket's an opponent's ball, he looses his tum.

Do you lose if you scratch on last ball before 8?

When shooting at the 8-ball, a scratch or foul is not loss of game if the 8-ball is not pocketed or jumped from the table. Incoming player has cue ball in hand. Note: A combination shot can never be used to legally pocket the 8-ball.

Can you combo the 8-ball to win?

Combination shots are legal shots, but you can never use the 8-ball as the first contacted ball. In other words, you can use the 8-ball in combination with another object ball to pocket an object ball, as long as you don't strike the 8-ball first.

What happens if you sink an opponents ball in 8-ball?

It is not against the rules if you accidentally pocket an opponent's balls, whether you sink one of your balls or not. The pocketed ball remains pocketed. It is only considered a foul when you scratch and pocket one of their balls. Then both their object ball and cue ball are spotted back on the table.

What is the golden break rule in pool?

The break consists of hitting the 1-ball, with the attempt to pocket any ball. If the nine-ball is successfully potted, the player automatically wins the rack. This is sometimes known as a golden break .

What is the 2 hit rule in pool?

"A double hit is an illegal shot involving the tip of the cue stick coming into contact with the cue ball twice during the execution of a single shot. This foul may occur through double clutching the cue ball, or in situations where the cue ball is nearly frozen to the object ball or rail.