Billiards (8-Ball)

Object of the Game:

A player wins by being the first to pocket the object balls and then the 8-ball.

Procedure:

Balls are racked with the 8-ball in the center of the rack, the rack is placed on the table with the first ball of the triangle placed over the foot spot.

A player must pocket a ball or send at least 4 object balls off a rail during the break shot.

In the event of an illegal break, the opponent may choose to play the balls as they lie or have the balls re-racked for a new break shot.

A foul occurs if there is a scratch on the break shot.  All balls pocketed are spotted, including the 8-ball.  The opponent takes over and shoots from behind the head string.

If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break, the shooter may request to have the 8-ball spotted or a re-rack.  In some regional variations, a player wins automatically by pocketing the 8-ball on the break.  In other variations, the player automatically loses by pocketing the 8-ball on the break.

If any solid object ball is pocketed on the break, the shooter continues to play the solid balls (1-7, minus the 8).  If a striped ball is pocketed on the break, the shooter plays only the striped balls (9-15).  If no ball is pocketed on the break, the opponent becomes the shooter and can shoot at any striped or solid ball until a legal shot is made.

During play, a shooter must pocket an object ball or make any ball (including the cue ball) contact the rail.  If a player fails to pocket an object ball or hit a ball into a rail, it is a foul.

If an opponent's ball is pocketed by the shooter, it counts for the opponent.

A turn continues until a shooter fails to pocket an object ball.

All seven balls must be pocketed before the 8-ball.  The shooter must call the pocket for the 8-ball, and the 8-ball must be hit before any other ball remaining on the table.  If a shooter misses, play continues and the new shooter plays the balls as they lie.

A player loses a game if the 8-ball is pocketed before the other seven, the 8-ball is pocketed without being called, or if a player scratches while pocketing the 8-ball.