8 Ball Pool Rules: How to Play and Win
Eight-ball is the game most people mean when they talk about pool. Two players share a table, 15 numbered balls and a white cue ball, and the first to clear their group and sink the black wins. Bars, clubs and video games all use slightly different rules, so this guide covers the standard game and points out where versions differ.
The balls and the rack
There are 15 object balls. Balls 1 to 7 are solid colours, 9 to 15 have stripes, and the 8 ball is black. They are racked in a triangle with the 8 ball in the middle. One player then breaks by hitting the cue ball into the pack.
Solids or stripes?
After the break, the table is usually "open", which means no one has a group yet. Your group is decided by the first ball you legally pot: pot a stripe and stripes are yours, and your opponent takes the solids. Some rules let the player who pots a ball on the break choose or claim that group, so agree before you start. In Pool: 8 Ball Mania, your group depends on the first ball you pot.
Taking your turn
- You keep shooting as long as you legally pot a ball from your group.
- If you miss or pot nothing, your turn ends.
- The cue ball must hit one of your own balls first.
- After that contact, a ball must go in a pocket, or a ball must reach a cushion. Otherwise it is a foul.
Common fouls
- Potting the cue ball, known as a scratch.
- Hitting an opponent's ball first, or hitting no ball at all.
- Knocking a ball off the table.
Under standard rules a foul gives your opponent ball in hand, meaning they can place the cue ball anywhere on the table. Many casual games give two shots instead.
Winning the game
Once all your balls are down, you shoot at the 8 ball. Many rule sets ask you to call the pocket first. Pot it legally and you win. You lose the game if you:
- Pot the 8 ball before clearing your group.
- Pot the 8 ball in the wrong pocket.
- Scratch while potting the 8 ball.
How to play better
Think about the next shot
The biggest difference between beginners and good players is where the cue ball ends up. Before you shoot, decide where you want it to stop. A simple shot that leaves you a simple next shot beats a spectacular one that leaves you stuck.
Use less power
Most missed shots are hit too hard. A softer shot is easier to control, and it keeps the cue ball close to where you want it.
Aim at the contact point
Imagine a line running from the pocket through the object ball. The cue ball needs to strike the far side of the object ball on that line. Practise thinking about that point, and not about the centre of the ball.
Clear trouble early
If two of your balls are touching or stuck on a cushion, deal with them while you have other options. Leaving them until last often costs you the game.
Play safe when you must
If no shot looks good, you do not have to go for one. Hit your ball softly and leave the cue ball where your opponent has nothing easy. A good safety can win a game as surely as a good pot.
Common questions
What if the 8 ball goes in on the break? It depends on the rules. It is often a re-rack, and not a loss.
Can I hit the 8 ball first? Not until your group is cleared. Before then, it counts as hitting the wrong ball.
