Rules of American pool

Rules of American Billiards: NINE-BALL

Objective of American Billiards. When playing American billiards with the game of nine-ball, it is played with nine (9) numbered balls, from one (1) to nine (9), plus the cue ball. On every shot, the cue ball must contact the lowest-numbered ball on the table first, but the balls do not need to be pocketed in numerical order. When a player pockets a ball on a shot judged legal, they remain at the table and continue to play until they miss, commit a foul, or win the game by pocketing the NINE. In the rules of American Billiards, when a player misses their shot, their opponent must resume play by taking up the position left by the previous player. However, after a foul, the next player may resume play by placing the cue ball anywhere on the table. Players never have to call their shots. A match ends when a player has won the required number of games.

Placement of the balls according to the rules of American Billiards: The balls are arranged in a diamond shape, with ball number ONE on the foot spot at the apex of the diamond, the NINE at the center, and the other balls placed at random. The breaker places the cue ball anywhere within the kitchen (head string area) to perform the break.

Legal break: The regulations regarding the break are the same as for other shots, except for the following: a) The breaker must contact ball number ONE first and either pocket a ball or drive at least four balls to a cushion. b) If the cue ball is pocketed or driven off the table, or if the preceding conditions (a) are not met, it is a foul, and the opponent has ball-in-hand anywhere on the table. c) If, on the break, the breaker drives one of the numbered balls off the table, it is a foul and the opponent has ball-in-hand. The ball is not spotted back on the table (exception: if it is the NINE, it is respotted on the foot spot).

Continuation of play: Immediately after the break, the player may play a “push out.” (See rule 5.) If the breaker pockets one or more balls in succession on a legal break, they continue to play until they miss, commit a foul, or win the game. When the player misses or commits a foul, their opponent resumes play in the same manner. The game ends when the NINE is pocketed on a legal shot, or if the referee ends it (forfeit) following a major infraction of the rules.

Push out: Immediately after the break, the breaker (or their opponent) may play a “push out” in order to move the cue ball in preparation for the next shot. On such a shot, it is not necessary to drive the cue ball to a cushion or contact a numbered ball. All other regulations apply. The player must announce their intention to “push out” before executing the shot, otherwise the shot will be judged as a normal shot. Balls pocketed on a push out remain pocketed, except the NINE, which is respotted on the foot spot. Following a legal push out, the opponent has the choice of either (1) playing the cue ball from its new position, or (2) passing their turn back to the player who pushed out. There is no foul on a push out shot provided all regulations (except rules 7 and 8) are respected. When the breaker pockets the cue ball on the break, the opponent may not play a push out.

Fouls: When a foul is committed by one of the players, that player forfeits their turn to their opponent; no pocketed ball is spotted back on the table (exception: if the NINE is pocketed illegally, it is respotted on the foot spot). The opposing player has ball-in-hand anywhere on the table. Several fouls committed on the same shot count as only a single foul.

Missed shot: It is a foul when the cue ball first contacts a ball other than the lowest-numbered ball on the table.

A cushion after contact: After the cue ball contacts the lowest ball, if no ball is subsequently pocketed, it is a foul if the cue ball or any other ball fails to reach a cushion.

Ball-in-hand: The player with ball-in-hand may place it anywhere on the playing surface. The cue ball may not be placed in contact with another ball. The player may adjust the position of the cue ball as long as they have not yet played their shot.

Balls driven off the table: A ball is judged to be driven off the table when it comes to rest anywhere other than on the playing surface. This is a foul, and the ball is not spotted back on the table (exception: when the NINE is driven off, it is respotted on the foot spot). The opponent resumes play with ball-in-hand.

Jumped and massé shots: It is a foul on the cue ball when a player attempts to go around a ball obstructing the object ball by means of a jump, curve, or massé shot, and the obstructing ball moves (regardless of whether that ball was moved by the player’s hand, cue, or bridge).

Three consecutive fouls: When a player commits three consecutive fouls in as many turns at the table, they lose the game. The three fouls must occur within the same game. The player must be warned after their second foul.

End of the game: The game begins on the break, once the cue ball crosses the head string. The breaker must contact ball number ONE on a legal break. The game ends when ball number NINE is legally pocketed, or when a player loses the game as a result of a foul.


Rules of American Billiards: EIGHT-BALL

Objective of the game: This call-shot game is played with a cue ball and fifteen numbered balls, from 1 to 15. One player must pocket the group of low balls (1 to 7) and their opponent, the group of high balls (9 to 15). THE PLAYER WHO FIRST POCKETS ALL THE BALLS OF THEIR GROUP, THEN GOES ON TO POCKET THE EIGHT, WINS THE GAME.

Call shot: When playing call shot, players do not need to call obvious shots. A player always has the right to ask for clarification about the shot their opponent is about to play. Bank shots and combinations are not considered obvious; it is therefore necessary to designate the ball and the pocket. In call-shot play, it is NEVER necessary to specify details such as the number of cushions, contacts, caroms, etc. Any ball pocketed illegally remains pocketed, whether it belongs to one group or the other. The opening break is not a “called shot.” The player who breaks may continue their turn if they succeed in legally pocketing a ball on the break.

Starting position: The balls are arranged in a triangle at the foot of the table; the ball at the apex rests on the foot spot, the EIGHT is at the center, and one low ball and one high ball occupy each of the two rear corners of the triangle. The others are placed at random.

Alternating break: In the rules of American Billiards, the player who performs the first break is determined by lag. Thereafter, the break alternates.

Fouls on jumped and massé shots: Although the “fouls on the cue ball only” rule generally applies in a match without an official referee, it should be noted that it is a foul when a player attempts to go around a ball obstructing the object ball by means of a jump, curve, or massé shot, and the obstructing ball moves (regardless of whether that ball was moved by the player’s hand, cue, or bridge).

Legal break: To perform a legal break, the breaker must be positioned behind the head string (kitchen area) and must either (1) pocket a ball, or (2) drive at least 4 balls to a cushion. If the breaker fails to achieve a legal break, it is not a foul, but their opponent has the choice of either (1) accepting the position of the balls as it stands and playing, or (2) having the balls re-racked, with the choice of breaking themselves or allowing the offending player to break again.

Pocketing the cue ball on a legal break: If the breaker pockets the cue ball on a legal break, (1) all pocketed balls remain pocketed (except the EIGHT: see rule #9), (2) it is a foul, (3) the table remains open. NOTE: The opponent has ball-in-hand behind the head string, unless they are able to play the cue ball out of the kitchen and back toward one of the balls.

Balls driven off the table on the break: When a player drives a numbered ball off the table on the break, it is a foul and the opponent has the choice of (1) accepting the position of the balls as it stands, or (2) taking ball-in-hand behind the head string and playing.

Pocketing the EIGHT on the break: When the EIGHT is pocketed on the break, the breaker has the choice of either (1) re-breaking, or (2) respotting the EIGHT on the foot spot and continuing their turn. If the breaker pockets both the cue ball and the EIGHT on the break, their opponent has the choice of either (1) re-breaking, or (2) respotting the EIGHT on the foot spot and beginning their turn with ball-in-hand behind the head string.

Open table: The table is said to be “open” as long as the choice of groups (high or low balls) has not been determined. When the table is open, it is legal to strike a high ball, a low ball, or the EIGHT first in order to pocket a chosen ball. However, when the table is open and the EIGHT is struck first, any ball pocketed does not count, remains pocketed, and the player loses their turn. Their opponent continues play with the table still open. In the event of a foul on an open table, any ball pocketed illegally is not spotted back on the table.

Choice of groups: The choice of high or low balls is not determined by the balls pocketed on the opening shot. THE TABLE IS ALWAYS OPEN immediately after the BREAK. The choice of groups is determined after the break, once one of the players succeeds in legally pocketing a called ball.

Legal shot: On every shot, except on the break or when the table is open, the player must strike a ball of their own group first, and either (1) pocket a numbered ball, or (2) cause the cue ball or a numbered ball to contact a cushion. NOTE: A player may send the cue ball to a cushion before it strikes a ball of their group. However, after contact, they must either (1) pocket the called ball, or (2) cause the cue ball or a ball of their group to contact a cushion. Otherwise, it is a foul.

Defensive shot: For strategic reasons, a player may choose both to pocket a ball of their group and to end their turn at the table by declaring their shot “defensive” in advance. Such a defensive pocketing is legal. The player must inform their opponent beforehand, failing which they must continue to play. Any ball pocketed on a defensive shot remains pocketed.

Continuation of play: A player continues to play until they fail to pocket a ball of their group. Once a player has legally pocketed all the balls of their group, they attempt to pocket the EIGHT.

Fouls: When there is a foul, the opponent is awarded ball-in-hand, meaning they may place the cue ball anywhere on the table (the head string applies only to the open table). This rule is intended to prevent intentional fouls that could disadvantage the opponent. A player with ball-in-hand may place the cue ball using either their hand or part of their cue (including the ferrule). While positioning the cue ball, any forward stroke that strikes the cue ball is a foul, unless the resulting shot is itself legal.

Combinations: Combinations are allowed; however, the EIGHT may not be used as the first ball of a combination, except when the table is open.

Balls pocketed illegally: A numbered ball is pocketed illegally when (1) it is pocketed while a foul is being committed, or (2) the designated ball is not pocketed in the designated pocket, or (3) when a player has declared their shot “defensive” in advance. Balls pocketed illegally remain pocketed.

Numbered balls driven off the table: When a numbered ball is driven off the table, it is a foul (except for the EIGHT, in which case the game is lost). The ball is then placed on the foot spot, in accordance with the general rules.

Playing the EIGHT: When a player attempts to pocket the EIGHT, pocketing the cue ball or committing a foul does not result in loss of the game if the EIGHT is not pocketed or driven off the table. The opponent is then awarded ball-in-hand. NOTE: The EIGHT can never be pocketed by means of a combination.

Loss of game: A player loses the game if they commit any of the following fouls:
committing a foul while pocketing the EIGHT (exception: see #9, pocketing the 8 on the break);
pocketing the EIGHT before having pocketed all the balls of their own group (or while playing the last ball of their group);
driving the EIGHT off the table at any point during the game;
pocketing the EIGHT in any pocket other than the one called;
pocketing the EIGHT when it is not the called ball. NOTE: Any foul must be declared before the next shot, otherwise the infraction will not be held against the offending player.

Drawn game: In the rules of American Billiards, if over 3 consecutive turns at the table by each player (6 turns total) the players agree that attempting to pocket or move a numbered ball would result in loss of the game, the balls are then re-racked and the break is awarded to the player who broke initially. The drawn-game rule applies only when just the EIGHT and 2 numbered balls remain on the table.
NOTE: Three consecutive fouls do not result in loss of the game in eight-ball.