What are the official pool break rules?

For a break to be legal, at least four balls must be driven to the rails or a ball must be pocketed. Otherwise, the balls are re-racked and re-broken by the same player. A game not legally broken but resulting in a scratch or foul will be re-racked and broken by the opposite player.

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 3-point break rule 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.

What makes a pool break illegal?

For a break to be legal, at least four balls must be driven to the rails or a ball must be pocketed. Otherwise, the balls are re-racked and re-broken by the same player. A game not legally broken but resulting in a scratch or foul will be re-racked and broken by the opposite player.

What is an illegal break in pool?

If the breaker does not pocket a ball and fails to drive at least 4 balls to one or more rails, it is an illegal break. In the case of an illegal break, the opponent can either accept the table as is and play from there; choose to re-rack and break; or re-rack and have the breaker go again.

International 8 Ball Rules Part 1 - The Break | Pool School

What is the diamond rule in pool?

The general principle is if you hit the cue ball perfectly straight at one diamond, it will travel completely straight back towards the diamonds at the opposite end of the table and when used properly, you can calculate or visualise the precise impact point to send the cue ball (or object ball) to any other spot on the ...

Does the break matter in pool?

The break determines the layout of the table after the break, the position of the cue ball, and who gets control of the table directly after the break. It's a huge advantage because whoever is at the table gets to make the decisions at the table.

What is the diamond for in a pool break?

Pool Diamond System Tutorial

It uses the 3 small diamonds, or other shapes, on each pool table's rails to aim to kick shots and banks. The inlaid diamonds form invisible lines connecting each diamond.

What happens if you sink the 8-ball on the break in pool?

If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break, the breaker may ask for a re-rack or have the 8-ball spotted and continue shooting.

Do balls count on break in pool?

Break shot

If an object ball is pocketed during the break, the break is automatically valid and the player making the break remains at the table. If no ball is pocketed, at least four object balls must hit one or more rails after the first contact of the cue ball with the rack for the break to be correct.

What happens if you sink 2 balls on break?

If any balls are sunk on the break, the breaking player continues to shoot. The table remains open after the break regardless of what is sunk on the break. Sinking the cue ball on break is a scratch and passes the turn to the opponent, giving them ball in hand.

Why are there 10 minute breaks in pool?

Safety breaks allow time (10 minutes at the end of each hour) for children under the age of 16 to take a break from swimming. This helps prevent fatigue in young swimmers, provides a break for water and food and is a good reminder to use the restroom.

Does scratching on the break mean you lose?

If you scratch on the break, your opponent gets ball-in-hand. 16. On the first shot after the break, the player at the table (the breaker if a ball was pocketed; otherwise the opponent) has the option to “push out,” where the cue ball can be hit anywhere, with or without contact with object balls or rails.

Why do pools take 15 minute breaks?

These safety breaks give everyone a window of time to rehydrate, reapply sunscreen, and take a breather. It's also a good time to check the little swimmers with swim diapers and take younger kids for a potty break. These 15 minutes make for a perfect mini-break to take care of all your needs before hopping back in.

Who decides who breaks in pool?

The opening break shot is determined by either lag or lot. (The lag for break procedure is required for formal competition.) The player winning the lag or lot has the choice of performing the opening break shot or assigning it to the opponent.

How long are pool breaks?

Make Rest Times Mandatory

If you are at a community pool, lifeguards may take care of this for you, making an hourly announcement for a 10-15 minute break. During these times, encourage your kids to sit down, dry off, reapply sunscreen, enjoy a snack, and get out of the sun.

Do you have to call your shot in pool?

Any bank shot (object ball to rail), kick shot (rail(s) to object ball), or combinations (2 or more balls from either group) must be called to their designated pocket, or they are considered a miss.

Do extra shots carry over in pool?

Free shots are not carried over. If a player is on the black, they only get one shot, however this is free. b. A free shot: A player must hit a ball.

What is the 3 foul rule in 8-ball?

STALEMATED GAME: If in 3 consecutive turns at the table by each player (6 turns total), they purposely foul or scratch and both players agree that attempting to pocket or move an object ball will result in immediate loss of game, then the game will be considered a stalemate.

Does the 8-ball have to go in clean?

PLAYING THE 8-BALL.

An interesting variation that comes more often than one would be imagine is that the last object ball prior to the 8- ball must go in clean, so the player cannot play a carom for their last object ball. There are some areas that do not require that the 8-ball go clean.

Do you have to move the cue ball on a scratch?

After a scratch on the break, your opponent can place the cue ball wherever behind the head string they please. The cue ball must cross the head string before making contact with any object balls in order to maintain game play.

Do you win if you make the 8 on the break?

SAN DIEGO, April 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In the game of 8-Ball Pool, a player who pockets the 8 ball on the break is typically considered an automatic winner. Even though 8 ball breaks may sound easy, they are actually so difficult that most professional pool players don't attempt them.