Eight-ball is the most popular game played on a pool table. Similar to snooker and billiard, eight-ball requires cues and balls that are standard to all pool tables. While it is considered more straightforward than other games, it still takes skill, concentration, and knowledge of the game to be good at eight-ball. Below are a few tips to remember before playing.

What Are the Rules of Eight-Ball Pool?

1. Aim to Pocket the Eight Ball

A game of eight-ball pool consists of 16 balls—one white for the cue, seven striped, seven solid-colored, and one black 8-ball. You can either be under the solid or stripes category—this is usually decided by who pockets a striped or solid ball first. The main objective of the sport is to sink all seven designated balls in the pool table pockets before pocketing the 8-ball. There is no scoring, but a match can take several rounds. Whoever wins the most rounds is declared the winner.

2. Begin with a Legal Break

Every game of eight-ball pool starts with racking, or randomly placing all of the 15 balls inside a triangle rack. The 8-ball should be placed in the middle of the third row, while a stripe and solid balls must be put in each rack corner.

Using the cue ball, the player that goes first has to execute a proper break in two ways—pocketing a ball or driving at least four balls to the pool table sides or rails. Should they fail to create a clean break, the other player has the option to continue playing or repeat the break. The other player can ask for a re-rack if the 8-ball is pocketed during the break.

A pocketed cue ball is called a scratch. When it happens during the break, it’s considered a foul. All balls sunk remain pocketed, and the pool table is deemed to be open—a player can choose which category they’d like to play. If a player jumps a ball off the table on the break shot, it is a foul, and the incoming player can continue the game as is, or place the cue ball behind the head string, a line on the pool table, and shoot.

3. Fouls Lose You a Turn

Committing a foul makes you lose a turn and gives the opposing player a chance to position the cue ball anywhere on the pool table. Missing your object balls, hitting the cue ball twice or off the table, pocketing your opposition’s ball, or pushing the cue ball instead of striking are some of the most common fouls. Since pool is a two-player game, it is up to you and your opponent to call one another’s fouls and remain honest during the game.

Enjoy a friendly match of eight-ball pool in the comfort of your home by investing in the right equipment from Dayton Billiards in Washington Township, OH. Since 1965, they have provided pool tables, billiards equipment, and other amusement game supplies to enthusiasts throughout the Tri-State area. Need pool table service? Call (937) 436-2777 for estimates or inquire via their website.