8 Ball Rules

Each Match is best 2 out of 3 games.

Partners must take alternate shots.
Object of the game is to choose and potting all the numbered balls of the same group and legally potting the 8-ball to Win
the game.
Break
One player is chosen to shoot first ("break" the balls apart; note that this definition of the word "break" is different than it may be in
other billiard games, notably snooker) by any number of methods. These include, but are not limited to: the flip of a coin, loser of last
game breaks, "lag", etc. Lag is a contest for determining who will break, and is the preferred method as specified by the Billiard
Congress of America. In the Lag, each player shoots a solid ball (other than the cue ball) from behind the head string to the foot of the
table. The player whose ball returns closest to the head rail wins the lag and has the option to break. The winner of the lag may elect
to pass the break to his or her opponent.
Legal Break Shot
For the break shot to be legal, the breaker, with the cue ball behind the head string, 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. When a foul occurs, the incoming player has the
option of accepting the table in position and shooting, or having the balls re-racked and exercising the option of shooting the opening
break or allowing the offending player to re-break. If the breaker pockets a ball, it is still the same player's inning. This area of 8 Ball
has two possible variations.
The breaker is deemed to have legally pocketed a ball, and continues to shoot for balls in the same group. In this
interpretation, if balls in both groups are potted, a common rule is for the player to nominate which group they will shoot for,
but for their inning to end.
If no numbered ball is pocketed by the opening break, then the table remains "open" and the opposing player's inning begins.
The table is "open" when the choice of groups (stripes or solids) has not yet been determined. When the table is open, it is
legal to hit a solid first to make a stripe or vice-versa. Note: The table is always open immediately after the break shot. When
the table is open, it is legal to hit any solid or stripe first in the process of pocketing the called stripe or solid. However, when
the table is open and the 8-ball is the first ball contacted, it is a foul and no stripe or solid may be scored in favor of the
shooter. The shooter loses his turn; the incoming player is awarded cue ball in hand; any balls pocketed remain pocketed; and
the incoming player addresses the balls with the table still open. On an open table, all illegally pocketed balls remain pocketed.
Scratch on a Legal Break
If a player scratches on a legal break shot, all balls pocketed remain pocketed (exception, the 8-ball: see "8-Ball Pocketed on the
Break" below), it is a foul or, the table is open. Note here that the incoming player has cue ball in hand behind the head string and may
not shoot an object ball that is behind the head string, unless he first shoots the cue ball past the head string and causes the cue ball
to come back behind the head string and hit the object ball.
Object Balls Jumped off the Table during the Break
If a player jumps an object ball off the table on the break shot, it is considered a foul and the incoming player has the option of
accepting the table in position and shooting, or taking cue ball in hand behind the head string and shooting.
8-Ball Pocketed on the Break
If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break, breaker may ask for a re-rack or have the 8-ball spotted and continue shooting. If the breaker
scratches while pocketing the 8-ball on the break, the incoming player has the option of a re-rack or of having the 8-ball spotted and
begins shooting with ball in hand behind the head string.
Taking Turns (Innings)
A player will continue to shoot until he/she makes a fault or fails to pocket one of the object balls. At this point, the player's inning is
over, and then, the other player takes his/her turn. Play alternates like this for the remainder of the game.
Call Shot
In Call Shot, players need not call obvious balls and pockets, however, it is the opponent's right to ask which ball and pocket are to be
used in the shot if they are unsure of the shot. Bank shots and combination shots are not considered obvious, and appropriate care
should be taken in calling both the object ball and the intended pocket. When calling the anticipated shot, it is not necessary to indicate
details such as the number of cushions, banks, kisses, caroms, etc that will be used in the shot. Any balls pocketed as the result of a
foul are to remain pocketed, regardless of whether they belong to the shooter or the opponent. The opening break is not considered a
called shot. Any player performing a break shot in 8-Ball may continue to shoot so long as any object ball is legally pocketed on the
break.
Pocketing the 8 ball
Once all the player's object balls are pocketed, he/she can now attempt to sink the 8 ball and win. To win, he/she must specify the
pocket it will land in, and make it in that pocket. If it is shot in to the wrong pocket, if the cue ball is potted, or if there is a fault (see
below), he/she loses. If neither the cue ball nor the eight ball is potted, the player's inning is over.
Playing the 8 ball
When the 8-ball is the legal object ball, a scratch or foul is not loss of game if the 8-ball is not pocketed or jumped from the table.
Incoming player has cue ball in hand. Note: A combination shot can never be used to legally pocket the 8-ball, except when the 8-ball
is the first ball contacted in the shot sequence.
Legal Shot
On all shots (except on the break and when the table is open), the shooter must hit one of their group of balls first and either pocket a
numbered ball, 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 results in a foul.
8 Ball Scoring
A player is entitled to continue shooting until failing to legally pocket a ball of his group. After a player has legally pocketed their entire
group of balls, they now shoot to pocket the 8-ball.
Combination Shots
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.
8 Ball Faults
When one player commits a fault, the other player gets "ball in hand", that is, the player with "ball in hand" may only place the cue ball
in the "kitchen", and must shoot out of the "kitchen" before hitting any ball. This means that they may not shoot at a ball inside the
"kitchen" directly. Under BCA rules, if the cue ball is pocketed on the break, the cue ball must be placed in the "kitchen" and shot out. If
he/she sinks the cue ball while playing on the black, it will be an immediate foul and the opposite player will receive two shots whether
or not he or she is on the black. If he or she sinks the black and the cue ball he or she will automatically lose the game. If the last ball
for the incoming player is 8-ball, present inside the kitchen area) and the player in the on-going inning sinks the white ball on or without
purpose, the incoming player shall be allowed to play the 8-ball in the kitchen area
Illegally Pocketed Balls
An object ball is considered to be illegally pocketed when that object ball is pocketed on the same shot that a foul is committed, or
when the called ball did not go in the designated pocket, or when a safety is called prior to the shot. Illegally pocketed balls remain
pocketed and are scored in favor of the shooter controlling that specific group of balls, solids or stripes.
Object Balls Leaving the Billiard Table
If any object ball is leaves the table, it is considered a foul and loss of turn, unless it is the 8-ball, which results in a loss of game. Any
jumped object balls are not re-spotted.
Stalemated Game
If after three consecutive turns at the table by each player (six turns total), the referee judges that attempting to pocket or move an
object ball will result in loss of game, the balls will be re-racked with the original breaker of the stalemated game breaking again. The
stalemate rule may be applied regardless of the number of balls remaining on the table. Please Note: Three consecutive fouls by one
player in 8-ball is not a loss of game.

Loss of Game
A player loses the game of 8 Ball by committing any of the following infractions:
1. Fouls when pocketing the 8-ball.
2. Pockets the 8-ball on the same stroke as the last of his group of balls.
3. Jumps the 8-ball off the table at any time.
4. Pockets the 8-ball in a pocket other than the one designated.
5. Pockets the 8-ball when it is not the legal object ball.
6. Jumps the 8-ball off the table.
All infractions must be called by the opposing player before another shot is taken. Otherwise it will be deemed that no infraction
occurred.
Fouls
The shooter fails to strike one of his own object balls (or the 8 ball, if all of said object balls are already pocketed) with the cue
ball, before other balls (if any) are contacted by the cue ball. This excludes "split" shots, where the cue ball strikes one of the
shooter's and one of the opponent's object ball simultaneously.
No ball comes into contact with a cushion or is pocketed, after legal cue ball contact with the (first) object ball (or 8 ball, if
shooting for the 8).
If an attempt is made at a pot in pool, the ball hits the pocket, bounces out and lands on the ground, the ball is placed in the
pocket and the game continues.
The shooter does not have at least one foot on the floor.
The cue ball is shot before all balls have come to a complete stop from the previous shot
The cue ball is struck more than once during a shot
The cue ball is jumped entirely or partially over an obstructing ball with an illegal jump shot that scoops under
the cue ball
The cue ball is clearly pushed (shoved slowly, rather than struck), with the cue tip remaining in contact with it more than
momentarily
The shooter touches the cue ball with something other than the tip of the cue
The shooter touches any ball (with body, clothing or equipment), other than as necessary to move the cue ball when the player
has ball-in-hand
The shooter knocks a ball off the table
The shooter has shot out-of-turn
On the break shot, no balls are pocketed and fewer than four balls reach the cushions (in which case the incoming player can
demand a re-rack and take the break or force the original breaker to re-break, or may take ball-in-hand behind the head string and
shoot the balls as they lie)