NINE BALL

OBJECT OF THE GAME:

The object of the game is to pocket the 9-ball.  Pocketing the 9-ball either on the break or any other legal shot wins the game.

TYPE OF GAME:

Nine Ball is a variation of call shot rotation in which the lowest numbered ball on the table must be the player’s first cue ball contact.  If a player complies, any called pocketed ball counts.  For example if a player strikes the one ball legally and then caroms or by combination pockets the nine ball which he has called in the pocket he has designated, that player wins the game.  Nine Ball is probably today’s most popular action-oriented game, since it is fast, easy for spectators to follow and results in spectacular shot-making: a fast and exciting game.

When calling the shot it is never necessary to indicate details such as :cushions, banks, kisses, caroms etc.

CALL SHOT:

When a ball is pocketed in a designated pocket, additional balls pocketed during the same shot will count.  When no ball is called or a safety is called and a ball is pocketed, or if called ball falls in the wrong pocket, the incoming player has the option of shooting or forcing his opponent to shoot again.  When calling the shot it is never necessary to indicate details such as: cushions, banks, kisses, caroms, etc.  Unless obvious to both referee and/or opponent, the shooter must either declare a called shot, safety, or push.  Any bank shot is never obvious and must be called.

PLAYERS:

2 or more

BALLS USED:

Object balls 1-9, plus cue ball

THE RACK:

“Diamond” rack (rows 1-2-3-1) with the 1 ball on the foot spot, and the 9 ball in the diamond’s center, other balls may be placed entirely at random.

OPENING BREAK:

The starting player must

1.       Strike the ball first

2.       Drive a minimum of four object balls to a rail or pocket any object ball.  If starting player fails to do any of the above, the incoming player has cue ball in hand anywhere on the table.  Nine ball on break wins.  Each rack of 9-ball will begin when the cue ball passes the headstring after being struck by the cue tip.

Calling the shot is not required on the break.  Any object ball pocketed on the break counts and the player continues shooting, if he did not commit a foul or scratch.

If a player misses rack entirely, it is a foul.  The cue ball is placed behind head string and incoming player has the choice of breaking or making the same player break again.

PLAY BEGINS:

Each rack of 9-ball will begin when the cue ball passes the headstring after being struck by the cue tip.

RULES OF PLAY:

1.       A legal shot requires that the cue balls first contact be with the lowest numbered ball on the table.  A player must then (10 pocket a ball where called or (2) cause a cue ball or any object ball to contact a cushion.  Failure to meet this requirement is a foul.

2.       A legally pocketed ball entitles a shooter to remain at the table until he fails to pocket a ball on a legal shot.

3.       When a player legally pockets a ball he must shoot again.

4.       When the 9-ball is pocketed on any legal shot, it is a win: game is over.

5.       It is a loss of game if a player commits three successive fouls.

ILLEGALLY POCKETED BALLS:

All stay pocketed (except 9-ball).

CUE BALL AFTER JUMP OR SCRATCH:

Incoming player has “cue ball in hand” anywhere on the table.

PENALTY FOR FOULS:

The incoming player is awarded “cue ball in hand” anywhere on the table.

DECLARATION OF SHOT:

Unless obvious to both referee or opponent, the shooter must either declare a called shot, safety or push.  Any bank shot is never obvious and must be called.

SHOOT OUT OR PUSH AFTER BREAK:

The player at the table immediately after the break has the option to Push Out or Shoot Out.  A Push or Shoot Out means “intentionally committing an illegal shot to move the cue ball to better position on the required object ball”.  After a push, the incoming player has the option of shooting or forcing his opponent to shoot again. A push is not considered a foul.  After a scratch on the break the incoming player cannot push.

BALL IN HAND:

After any scratch or foul, the incoming player will have the cue ball in hand anywhere on the table.  This includes after a scratch on the break except if the cue ball fails to strike any ball on the opening break

NO BALLS SPOTTED:

All illegally pocketed balls, balls pocketed during a safety or push, or jumped object balls will not be spotted.  Essentially, the 9-ball is the only ball that can be spotted.

FOUL ON CUE/OBJECT BALLS:

Foul on cue balls only except during tournament finals or televised matches at which tome a foul on all balls will apply.

WINNER BREAKS:

The winner of a game shall break in the next game until a match is completed.

JUMPED BALLS:

When an object ball is jumped off the table, and the called ball is pocketed, there is no foul and shooting player continues.

When an object ball is jumped off the table and there is no called ball made, the incoming player has the option of shooting or having his opponent shoot again.

Nine ball on break wins.