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8-Ball
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 wining 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.
RACKING THE BALLS
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.
ORDER OF BREAK
Winner of the lag has the option to break. In 9-Ball, the winner of each game
breaks in the next, unless otherwise specified by the tournament organizer. The
following are common options that may be designated by tournament officials in
advance:
- Players
alternate break.
- Loser breaks.
- Player
trailing in game count breaks the next game.
LEGAL BREAK SHOT
The rules governing the break shot are the same as for other shots except:
- The breaker must
strike the1-ball first and either pocket a ball
or drive at least four numbered balls to the
rail.
- 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.
- 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 not re-spotted (exception:
if the object ball is the 9-ball, it is re-spotted).
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Diamond
Shaped Rack
1-ball must be on the foot spot
9-ball must be in the center of the rack
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CONTINUING PLAY
On the shot immediately following a legal break, the shooter may play a &ldquo push
out.&rdquo (See Rule &ldquo Push Out&rdquo ). If the breaker pockets one or more
balls on a legal break, he continues to shoot until he misses, fouls, or wins
the game. If the player misses or fouls, the other player begins an inning and
shoots until missing, committing a foul, or winning. The game ends when the 9-ball
is pocketed on a legal shot, or the game is forfeited for a serious infraction
of the rules.
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
(except rules &ldquo Bad Hit&rdquo and &ldquo No Rail" ) 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.
FOULS
When a player commits a foul, he must relinquish his run at the table and no
balls pocketed on the foul shot are re-spotted (exception: if a pocketed ball
is the 9-ball, it is re-spotted). The incoming player is awarded ball in hand
prior to his first shot he may place the cue ball anywhere on the table. If a
player commits several fouls on one shot, they are counted as only one foul.
BAD HIT
If the first object ball contacted by the cue ball is not the lowest numbered
ball on the table, the shot is foul.
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 on is a foul.
IN HAND
When the cue ball is in hand, the player may place the cue ball anywhere on the
bed of the table, except in contact with an object ball. The player may continue
to adjust the position of the cue ball until shooting.
OBJECT BALLS JUMPED OFF THE TABLE
An unpocketed ball is considered to be driven off the table if it comes to rest
other than on the bed of the table. It is a foul to drive an object ball off
the table. The jumped object ball(s) is not re-spotted (exception: if the object
ball is the 9-ball, it is re-spotted) and play continues.
JUMP AND MASSÉ SHOT FOUL
If a match is not refereed, it will be considered a cue ball foul if during an
attempt to jump, curve or massé the cue ball over or around an impeding
numbered ball, the impeding ball moves (regardless of whether it was moved by
a hand, cue stick follow-through or bridge).
THREE CONSECUTIVE FOULS
If a player fouls three consecutive times 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&rsquo 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.
END OF GAME
A game starts as soon as the cue ball crosses over the head string on the opening
break. The 1-ball must be legally contacted on the break shot. The game ends
at the end of a legal shot which pockets the 9-ball, or when a player forfeits
the game as the result of a foul.
DISCLAIMER: This
file contains property copyrighted by the Billiard
Congress of America. Any modification or sale
of the information herein is strictly prohibited by
the laws governing that copyright. Please direct questions
regarding interpretation of the following, or information
on how to receive the current BCA Official Rules & Records
Handbook to the Billiard Congress of America at 4345
Beverly St., Suite D, Colorado Springs, CO 80918.
Phone: 719.264.8300, Fax: 719.264.0900.
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Call to Order: 1-866-953-4272
