Here you can learn how to play 9-ball pool. You can find
here a short but comprehensive guide to the rules of the
9-ball pool game based on the official rules of the Billiard
Congress of America.
Equipment and Rack
9-ball pool is played on a standard pool table with six
pockets. There are nine numbered balls of different colors
and one cue ball. The nine balls are racked inside a diamond
shape.
Object of the Game
The nine ball pool players have to cause to cue ball to make
the first contact with the ball of the lowest number
available on the table. The winner is the first player to
pocket the 9-ball legally.
Break
At the break shot, the player must first strike the 1-ball
and then to sink a ball into a pocket or to cause four
numbered balls or more to contact the rail.
If the breaker fails in doing so, or when the cue ball sinks
into a pocket or any ball jumps off the table, it is a foul.
Then, the incoming player gets a cue ball in hand.
If the 9-ball is being pocketed on a break, then the breaker
wins the game, unless this successful shooting involved a
scratch.
Unless the breaker has committed a foul, his turn to play
continues.
After the Break
Only straight after a legal break, the player can choose to
play a push out, in which he may move the cue ball to any
position that will provide him a better advantage towards
his upcoming move.
If the break has been completed legally and successfully,
then the breaker continues shooting until he either fouls or
wins the game. If not, the incoming player continues playing
until he either fouls or wins the game.
Fouls
Each player who executes a foul has to forfeit his turn at
the table, but if balls were pocketed in a foul shot, they
will not be re-spotted, except in a case in which the 9-ball
has being pocketed illegally. In addition, the incoming
player gets a cue ball in hand. When a player executes three
fouls one after another, he loses the game.
According to 9-ball rules, these situations are defined as
fouls:
-
When the cue ball does not make the first contact with the
lowest numbered ball on the table
-
When a player fails in pocketing an object ball and
causing any other ball including the cue ball to contact a
rail
-
When a player causes an object ball to jump off the table
End of the Game
The 9-ball pool game is over once the 9-ball is being
pocketed legally or when a player commits three consecutive
fouls and loses the game.
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