What is the 9 ball pool rule?

The object of 9-ball is to win by legally pocketing the 9-ball. The cue ball must strike the lowest numbered ball first for a legal hit to occur. After the lowest ball is struck, either the cue ball or any numbered ball may hit the 9-ball into any pocket for the win.

What happens if the 9-ball is pocketed on the break?

CONTINUING PLAY. On the shot immediately following a legal break, the shooter may play a "push out." (See Rule 5.). If the breaker pockets one or more balls on a legal break, he continues to shoot until he misses, fouls, or wins the game.

Do you call shots in 9-ball pool?

Sequence of Shots and Calling

You must shoot the cue ball at the 2-ball and can use the 2-ball to hit another ball into a pocket. You are not required to call your shots when playing 9-ball pool. Nor do you need to call the pocket when sinking the 9-ball.

What counts as a shot in pool?

3.19 LEGAL SHOT

Unless otherwise stated in a specific game rule, a player must cause the cue ball to contact a legal object ball and then: (a) Pocket a numbered ball, or; (b) Cause the cue ball or any numbered ball to contact a cushion or any part of the rail. Failure to meet these requirements is a foul.

Do you always 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.

The Rules of 9 Ball Pool (Nine Ball Pool) - EXPLAINED!

What is a golden break in 9-ball?

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 .

Can you combo the 9-ball to win?

All you need to do is be the one who sinks the 9 ball. Going in order, the nine ball is going to be the last ball on the table. You can also win by sinking the nine on a combo as long as the first ball you hit is the lowest number ball on the table. That's the basics.

What is the best break in 9-ball?

Start From the Side with a Square (Center) Hit

If you are a fan of 9-ball tournaments, you will see most professionals choose to break from the side. This technique is also called a cut break. It brings a lot of advantages: It can help to have a golden break – the best break: pocket the 9-ball in one shot.

Do you lose if you scratch on the break in 9-ball?

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.

What is the 3 foul rule in 9-ball?

If a player fouls three consecutive times on three successive shots without making an intervening legal shot, he loses the game. The three fouls must occur in one game. The warning must be given between the second and third fouls. This rule is optional for local league and tournament play.

What is a push out in 9-ball?

push out (plural push outs) (billiards) In nine ball pool, an optional shot after a legal break shot where a player is allowed to hit any ball first, or not any, as well as not hit a rail, and the opponent can choose who shoots the next shot.

How do pros break in 9-ball?

Practice getting the one ball into the side pocket.

Professional players manage to pocket a ball on the break a majority of the time. One way to accomplish this is to strike the one ball, at the nearest tip of the diamond, and get it to rebound off the rest of the diamond and into the side pocket.

What is the diamond around the 9-ball?

The balls are racked in a diamond shape using a traditional 9 ball diamond rack. The 1-ball must be placed be at the top of the diamond (apex). The 9-ball will go in the center of the rack.

Does scratching on the break mean you lose?

SCRATCH ON A LEGAL BREAK.

If a player scratches on a legal break shot, (1) all balls pocketed remain pocketed (exception, the 8-ball: see rule 9), (2) it is a foul, (3) the table is open.

Do you win if you sink the 8-ball 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.

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.

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.

Can you move the white ball if you don't hit anything?

The white ball can be moved freely anywhere on table during the break shot in 8 ball pool. This means that players have a lot of flexibility when it comes to where they want to position the white ball. After playing the break shot, players cannot move cue ball at their convenience except in some instances.

What is a golden duck in pool?

Golden Break – Similar to American 9-ball Pool, a player can win the frame off the break. They must pot the 8-ball from the break and win it outright. This rule was formerly used in the Taom Shootouts. Golden Duck – Undesirably, if the breaking player pockets the 8-ball and cueball they lose the frame outright.

What is the 3 foul rule in pool?

Three-foul rule

After three consecutive fouls, the game is considered lost. However, as in rotational games, a player must be advised by the referee or opponent that he already has two fouls before taking the next shot and committing a third foul.