8-ball pool (8-ball pool) is played with one white ball (cue ball) and target balls numbered up to 15, including one black “8 ball”. One of the players tries to get full colored balls (aka “solid”, numbered 1-7) while the other player tries to get partially colored balls (lines, numbered 9-15). Players may not enter 8 balls until all the balls that are their share (solid or line) have entered the bag first. The player who legally manages to get the 8 ball out wins.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparing for the Game
Step 1. Understand the basics of the game
8 ball is a game played with white balls and 15 numbered balls. One player must enter balls numbered 1-7, (solid), while the other player must enter balls numbered 9-15 (lines). To win the game, the player must put all the balls that are his share, before putting the 8 ball into the table pocket.
Step 2. Find the headspot
Find a dot or small triangle that runs parallel to the center of the table, about a quarter of the length of the table. This is where the white ball is placed to start the game. The line that runs parallel to the width of the table and past this point is called the " head string."
Step 3. Arrange the billiard balls
Take a triangular frame and insert 15 billiard balls into it. Arrange the frame so that it is opposite the head point, and one corner is facing the white ball. Make sure the triangle is in the middle of the foot string. When you're done, take the triangular frame without changing the ball's position.
- Place the end of the triangle at a quarter of the length of the table, at the "foot spot" opposite the head point. If “head string” marks a point the length of the table from head to toe, it means “foot string” is an imaginary line marking the distance from head to toe. The "foot spot" is exactly in the middle of the foot string.
- Place the 8 ball in the center of the triangle. Place ball 1 in the corner of the triangle that points to the white ball. Place the line balls in one back corner of the triangle, and the solid balls in the other back corner.
Step 4. Learn billiards terms
Billiards has a lot of terminology that can be difficult for new players to understand. Memorize these terms as you play. If you don't understand the meaning of a term, check with veteran players to be sure.
- Object balls (target balls): These are full and partial colored balls numbered 1-15. All balls are target balls, except white balls. “Target balls” are the balls that will be put in the table pocket.
- “Pocket” (pockets): These are baskets along the perimeter of the pool table. The pool table has six pockets: one in each corner of the table, and one in each half of the long side of the table. "Pocketing" is the art of hitting one or more numbered balls into the pocket.
- Rail (rail): The rim along the side of the pool table surface.
- Scratch: Condition when the ball accidentally enters the pocket or leaves the table. If you're scratching, return one of your pocketed balls to the center of the table. Your opponent now has the opportunity to poke the ball from the point he wants on the table.
- Open table: The pool table is “open” when the ball group (solid or line) has not been determined. When the table is “open”, players are allowed to touch a solid ball first to determine the number of balls to be included.
- Foul penalty (violation): The opposing player gets a white ball in his hand (ball in hand). This means that the player can place the white ball anywhere he wants to make his next stroke.
Part 2 of 3: Starting the Game
Step 1. Do a break shot
One player places white balls in a line behind the head string and aims at the array of balls. Poke the white balls into the triangular arrangement of the balls firmly and accurately. For a break shot to be valid, players must put the ball in the pocket, or at least push four numbered balls to the edge of the table. If the player fails to do both in the initial poke, that means the player committed a foul.
Step 2. Know what to do in case of a scratch or foul
If the break shot poker makes a scratch, the game has not fully started. In the event of a foul, the next player has two options: accept the position of the balls on the table as they are, or rearrange the ball and repeat the break shot. The next player can also choose to take a break shot, or allow the opponent to try again.
-
If the player scratch on the break shot:
- All balls that enter the bag remain in the bag.
- The shot is considered a foul, meaning that it is the turn to poke the opponent.
- The table is "open", meaning that the first player to enter the ball without a scratch chooses the type of ball that is his share (line or solid).
-
If the target ball leaves the table as a result of a break shot, it means that the punter has committed a foul. The next player has two choices:
- Accept the position of the balls on the table as it is. Do the next poke to continue the game.
- Take the white ball and place it behind the head string. Repeat the break shot again.
- If the 8 ball enters the pocket on a break shot, the punter may request that the break shot be repeated, or put the 8 ball in the foot spot and continue play. If the break shot poker makes a scratch, the next player can choose between repeating the break shot or putting the 8 ball in the foot spot and starting to poke from behind the head string.
Step 3. Select your ball ration group
Before the ball group is selected, the table is "open". The first player to put the target ball in the pocket automatically selects that group of balls as his share. For example, if you poke a break shot, and enter the number 13 ball, that means you get allotted line balls. Look for line balls on the table that are easy to poke. From now on, your goal is to get all the line balls (and then the 8) balls before your opponent hits the soild balls and then the 8.
- Clarify the ball rations for each player. If you get a line ball, say "I got a line!", and if you get a solid ball, say "I got a solid!"
- If you are the first player to hit the ball, but the line and solid ball go into the pocket, you can choose between the two groups. Choose the portion that benefits you the most.
Part 3 of 3: Playing Pool
Step 1. Keep poking the ball until you fail to hit it
If you poke the "line" balls, and manage to hit a 12 ball, it's still your turn. Try aiming for another line ball, and if you get back into the line successfully, feel free to continue your thrusts. However, when no line ball is successfully entered or you scratch, your turn is over and the right to poke passes to your opponent.
There are no rules prohibiting combination shots (putting two balls in the same group in one shot). However, the 8-ball may not be used as the first ball in the combination, unless this ball is the last ball the player has allotted on the table. Otherwise, your poke is considered a violation
Step 2. Put all the balls into your allotment
If your allotment is line balls, try to get 1-7 balls to qualify for an 8. If your allotment is solid balls, put all balls numbered 9-15. If you enter your opponent's allotted ball, your turn ends with a scratch.
Step 3. Connect your poke
In many official pool games, the player must answer the poke to be considered legal. That is, before each shot, tell the ball which one to touch and which pocket the ball to enter. You can say “4 ball, corner pocket,” and point to the target pocket with a cue stick to clarify. If you're playing pool casually with friends, your poke doesn't need to be called.
Step 4. Insert ball 8
You may enter 8 balls if all of the allotted balls (lines or solids) have entered the pocket. Make sure you call for the target pocket! Take a look at the pool table and decide which pocket the 8 ball is easiest to get into. Then, announce that you will try to put the 8 ball in. If you get an 8 ball into the pocket, you win!
- For example, say “8 ball, corner pocket,” and indicate which corner pocket you mean.
- If you announce a shot, but the 8 ball doesn't go into the pocket, it's the opponent's turn to poke. You haven't won or lost until an 8 is in the pocket or a scratch is trying to put in an 8.
Step 5. Finish the game
The game of 8 ball billiards ends when the player enters a valid 8 ball after entering all the balls that are his allotment. However, players can also lose due to certain violations.
The player loses when he: hits the ball any time after the break shot; put 8 balls in a poke with the last ball that became his allotment; putting in an 8 throws an 8 off the table at any time after a break shot, putting an 8 in a pocket other than the pocket that was called for; enter an 8 ball when it is not a valid target ball
Tips
- Poke the white ball: Place the tip of your cue stick 10 cm from the ball. Then, position the cue stick on your leaning hand. when you poke, only your arm can move. Your body must remain still.
- Holding the cue stick: Use one hand (“the propping hand”) to aim and stabilize the cue stick as you poke. Use your other hand (prick hand”) to swing the stick to generate power with each shot.
-
Body position: Keep your body steady and comfortable while aiming the ball, swinging the stick, and poking the white ball. Learn to poke with the right attitude.
- Both feet should be shoulder width apart.
- Take one step forward as a support leg.
- If you are right-handed, move your left foot forward, and vice versa.
- Keep your chest parallel to the floor.
- Place the cue stick in the hands of the protractor.
- Look straight ahead on the cue stick.
-
Swing the cue stick:
- Place the cue stick on the backrest point.
- The tip of the cue stick should be about 15 cm from your hand.
- Hang the cue stick at waist height.
-
Make sure your cue stick is up to standard. All cue sticks must meet the following conditions:
- Length is between 1.35-1.6 m
- Weighing not less than 425 g and not greater than 708 g.
- The balance point is at least 83 cm from the end of the stick.
- The tip of the stick is covered in leather.
