The simple rules and objectives of the game in 9 ball billiards make it easy for new players to learn it. More experienced pool players may enjoy the fast tempo shifts in this game more than in other pool games, and the opportunity to demonstrate accurate positioning skills. All you need to get started is a standard set of pool table equipment.
Quick Terms About Billiards
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Diamonds:
Signs on the long side of the table.
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Head strings / Foot strings:
Starting from the head rail (short side of the table on the left), plus two diamonds. The head string is the imaginary line between the two. The foot string is also a similar line, but is counted from the end rail (the short side of the table to the right).
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Head spot / Foot spot:
The center of the head string or foot string. These sections are usually marked with a black dot.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Start Playing
Step 1. Choose a team
9 ball is usually played one-on-one. If there are more than two players, divide them into two teams.
In friendly games, you can play with three or more teams. This is not recommended if some of you are much more adept at playing pool than others
Step 2. Determine the first turn
You can draw with coins, but the "lagging" way is much more interesting in determining the first player. On an empty table, each player places the ball behind the head string. Each player hits the ball at the same time. The goal is for your ball to hit the far side of the table, then bounce back as far as possible without touching the side closest to the table. Who can place the ball closest, he is the one who makes the break (see below).
Repeat again if two balls touch each other, or if neither one touches one end of the table without touching the other
Step 3. Arrange the 9 balls in the rack
Choose 9 balls from numbers 1 to 9, and place them all on the rack. Arrange the balls in a diamond shape, with the number 9 ball in the center and the number 1 ball closest to the bat. Place the other balls at random in the diamond formation.
- The shelf is placed in its usual place, with the top of the shelf directly above the foot spot.
- If you can find a diamond-shaped 9 ball rack, use it. If you must use a triangular rack of 15 balls, just make the diamond formation as tight as possible.
Step 4. Do a break
The first player can place the white cue ball anywhere behind the head string. The player hits the cue ball towards ball number 1 as a break.
The break must include one ball, and/or at least three balls touch any side of the table (rail). If neither of these happens, reassemble the rack and it's the next player's turn to hit the break
Part 2 of 3: Ground Rules
Step 1. Keep playing your turn until you fail to hit the ball
Whenever you hit the ball, you can hit the ball again. Keep hitting until you miss the ball, or you foul. If this is the case, the turn is given to the next player.
- This also applies to the break stroke: if the person making the break hits the ball successfully, he can hit again.
- As in 8-ball billiards, you can only hit cue balls, usually white balls with no numbers.
Step 2. Know your goals
In 9 ball billiards, whoever hits the number 9 ball, he is the one who comes out the winner. You can even win on a break if the number 9 goes in! Of course, there are other rules that make this goal more difficult than it sounds.
Step 3. Aim for the ball with the smallest number
Each time you hit, the cue ball must hit the smallest numbered ball still on the table, before hitting the other balls. If the cue ball hits another ball first, or doesn't hit any ball, the stroke is considered a foul. (see below for more info on foul)
You can enter any numbered ball without being penalized. For example, the cue ball hits ball number 1, then bounces off and hits ball number 7 which goes into the pocket. It's a legitimate hit. You can even hit the number 9 ball this way to win the game
Step 4. Avoid weak hits
After hitting the least numbered ball, at least one ball must hit one side of the table or enter the hole. If this does not happen, the stroke is considered a foul.
Step 5. Place the ball anywhere if your opponent fouls
If a player commits a foul, the next player may place the cue ball anywhere on the table before making the stroke. As mentioned above, a foul is hitting the wrong ball first, or failing to make any ball hit the side of the table or into the hole.
Step 6. Adhere to the standard rules of billiards
Standard fouls in billiards also include: hitting the ball off the table, entering the cue ball ("scratching"), touching a moving ball, or hitting the cue ball out of turn. The next player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table.
- If the number 9 ball falls off the table or into the hole during a foul, place it back on the foot spot, or as close as possible behind the foot spot. Any other numbered balls that leave the table illegally are no longer played.
- Accidentally touching an unmoved ball is not considered a foul. But the other players decide: let the ball in its new position or the ball is returned to its original position.
Step 7. Play some matches
Compared to other types of billiards, 9 ball games are fast. Usually, the players agree to play until one person or team wins a certain number of matches. Try playing who wins three games first if you are a beginner. Or play who wins seven games first if you are more experienced.
Part 3 of 3: Push-Out
Step 1. Add this rule to make the game more competitive
This push out rule puts players in a bit of control when it comes to starting after a break. This will add strategy in competitive matches. In a friendly party between rookies, this rule is not necessary.
Step 2. Announce a "push out" after the break
The push out rule only applies to the first stroke after the break. The player who will make the second stroke may choose to announce a "push out". If he doesn't announce it, then the game continues as usual.
If the hitter hits the ball during a break, he can announce a push out because he will be the next to hit. If he doesn't hit the ball, the next player who gets the option to announce a push out
Step 3. Ignore the 9 ball rule if push outs apply
When announcing a push out, the batsman does not need to hit the lowest numbered ball, and there is no need to make the ball touch the side of the table or into the hole.
- If the push-out enters ball number 9, put the ball back on the foot spot. The other numbered ball remains in the hole.
- Other foul rules still apply.
Step 4. Let the next player decide to play or not
After a push out, the next player chooses between playing or skipping a turn. He's the one who decides this, even though the "push out" puts the ball in. Having decided this, the game continued as usual.
If a foul occurs during a push out, the foul rules are applied as usual. The next player places the cue ball anywhere and hits
Tips
- Sometimes, the best option is a "safety" punch. The purpose of this safe shot is to place the cue ball in a difficult position, so that the opponent can't hit it properly, and can't even hit it legally. The safe stroke must still hit the lowest numbered ball and make any ball touch the side of the table.
- In most tournaments, if you commit three fouls in a row, you lose. These rules may not apply if you play with your friends.
- You don't need to make a "call shot" (declaring which ball you will put in) in 9 ball games. Accidentally hitting the number 9 ball will win you the game as long as you make a valid shot.
- Some pool associations organize 9 ball tournaments based on the number of points scored and not the number of matches won. Contact the tournament organizers to find out how points are calculated based on your handicap and the number of balls entered.
- If you have to rent the ball, money can be saved by using a higher numbered ball for later matches. For example, if balls 1, 5, and 9 come in in the first game, set up a rack for the second game using balls 10, 11, and 12 as the new highest-numbered balls. Whoever puts in the 12 ball, he is the one who comes out the winner.
