8-Ball Rules

OBJECT OF THE GAME

Eight ball is a call shot game played with the cue ball and 15 object balls, numbered 1 through 15.
One player must pocket balls of the group numbered 1 through 7 (Solids), while the other player has 9 through 15 (Stripes).
The player pocketing either group first and then legally pocketing the 8-ball wins the game.

In league play all shots must be called with the exception of the break shot.
The shot call must indicate which ball will go into a particular pocket.
It is not necessary to indicate details such as the number of cushions, banks, kisses, caroms, etc. as long as you hit your color ball first. If shot is missed the next player shoots.

The balls are racked in a triangle at the foot of the table with the 8-ball in the center of the triangle, the first ball of the rack on the foot spot, a stripe ball in one corner of the rack and a solid ball in the other corner.

To execute a legal break, the breaker (with the cue ball behind the line) must either
- Pocket a ball or
- Drive at least four numbered balls to the rail.
When the breaker fails to make a legal break, it is a foul, and the incoming player has the option of:
- accepting the table in position and shooting or
- having the balls re-racked and having the option of shooting the opening break
- allowing the offending player to re-break. If nothing goes in on the original break and no foul has been committed the next player shoots from the position left

If a player scratches on a legal break shot:
- all balls pocketed remain pocketed
- It is a foul and
- the table is open.
  Please Note: The incoming player has cue ball in hand behind the line and may not shoot an object ball that is behind the line, unless he first shoots the cue ball past the line and causes the cue ball to come back behind the line hitting the object ball.

If a player jumps an object ball off the table on the break shot and it remains off the table, it is a foul and the incoming player has the option of:
- accepting the in position and shooting or
- taking the cue ball in hand behind the line and shooting.
- If the 8-ball had gone in on the break and another ball had jumped off the table on the break it is a foul and the breaker loses the game.

If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break and player does not scratch or foul – he wins game.
If the player sinks the 8-ball on the break and scratches the cue ball – he loses game.
It is not necessary to call the 8-ball pocket on a break shot.

Open table after the break.
When calling next shot you must hit a ball off your own color group first. You may use other colored balls and/or the 8-ball within any combination shot, but you must hit your own color ball first.

The choice of stripes or solids is not determined on the break even if balls are made from only one or both groups, because the table is always open immediately after the break shot.
The choice of group is determined only when a player legally pockets a called object ball after the break shot.
If the groups have been determined and the player mistakenly shoots at and pockets a ball of the group, the opponent must call a foul on him before he takes his next shot. If he fails to do so, the player automatically takes over the group of balls (solids or stripes) at which he has been shooting during this inning.

On all shots (except the break) the shooter must hit one of his group of balls first and:
- pocket a numbered ball into called pocket or
- cause the cue ball or any numbered ball to contact a rail.
  Please Note: It is permissible for the shooter to bank the cue ball off a rail before contacting the object ball: However, after contact with the object ball, an object ball must be pocketed, or the cue ball or any numbered ball must contact a rail. Failure to meet these requirements is a foul.

For tactical reasons a player may choose to pocket an obvious object ball and also discontinue a turn at the table by declaring “safety” in advance.
A safety shot is defined as a legal shot if the shooting player intends to play safe by pocketing an obvious ball, then prior to the shot the shooter must declare a “safety” to the opponent.
It is the shooter’s responsibility to make the opponent aware of the intended safety shot. If this is not done, and one of the shooters object balls is pocketed, the shooter will be required to shoot again.
Any ball on a safety shot remains pocketed.

A player is entitled to continue shooting until failing to legally pocket a ball of his group. After a player has legally pocketed all of his group of balls he then shoots to pocket the 8-ball.

Opposing play gets cue ball in hand. This means the player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table (does not have to be behind the line except on opening break).
This rule prevents a player from making intentional fouls which would put an opponent at a disadvantage. With “cue ball in hand” the player may use a hand or any part of a cue (including tip) to position the cue ball. When placing the cue ball in position, any forward stroke motion contacting the cue ball will be a foul, if not a legal shot.

Combination shots are allowed however
- the 8-ball can’t be used as a first ball in the combination unless it is the shooter’s only remaining legal object ball on the table. Otherwise, should such contact occur on the 8-ball, it is a foul.
- All combination shots require that the first ball hit is the same colored ball as the ball called. One may use the other colored balls or 8-ball within the combination shot.

An object ball is considered to be illegally pocketed when:
- that object ball is pocketed on the same shot a foul is committed or
- the ball called did not go in the designated pocket or
- a safety is called prior to the shot. Illegally pocketed balls remain pocketed.

If any object ball is jumped off the table, it is a foul and loss of turn, unless it is the 8-ball which is a loss of game. Any jumped object balls are not re-spotted.

It is considered a foul when during an attempt to jump, curve or masse the cue ball over or around an impeding numbered ball the impeding ball moves, (regardless of whether it was moved by hand, cue stick follow-through or bridge)

When shooting for the 8-ball, a miss or a foul does not lose the game.
If when shooting the 8-ball the shooter fouls but does not pocket the cue-ball the other player shoots with “ball in hand.”
If the player pockets the cue-ball even when sinking the 8 ball he loses.
A player may sink the 8-ball off another ball into the designated pocket, it does not have to go “clean.”

A player loses the game by committing any of the following infractions:
- Pockets the 8-ball on the same stroke as the last ball of his group of balls
- Jumps the 8-ball off the table at any time