Setting up balls and breaking off rack the balls with the black ball positioned at the intersection of two imaginary diagonal lines. The rules of pool are some of the most contested of any sport, with slightly differing variations being played in different countries, cities, areas, and even establishments. Opposing players break alternately in successive frames. The primary purpose of this game is for one player to pocket the solid balls numbered from 1 to 7 or the striped balls numbered from 9 to 15, and then pocket the 8ball before their opponent. Figure 1 illustrates the required features of 8ball and 9ball racks. Nov 09, 2019 its time to learn the rules for 8ball pool. They are the billiards congress of america bca and world pool association wpa. Here is a onepage, bcapl based ruleset that actually makes sense and is played by all high level 8 ball tournaments. Its so common for pool players, both novices and experts, that we dont even give it much thought.
The object balls are two groups of seven and the black ball. The opposing player illegally pots the 8 ball before clearing their own set of balls. Here is a onepage, bcapl based ruleset that actually makes sense and is played by all high level 8ball tournaments. Eightball pool can be played as a singles or doubles game and is played with. How to play 8 ball pool like a pro official bca 8 ball rules. Since the game is rich in terminology, beginners get confused with the rules. During a ball in hand situation, visiting player can either request a referee move the cue ball or ask their opponent for permission to move the.
Ten ball ten ball is a call shot game played with ten object balls numbered one through ten and the cue ball. Additional rules specific to the game of 8ball include. Here, a scoop shot is being employedto jump over the 3ball. The nonprofit world poolbilliard association wpa with national affiliates around the world. The player or team pocketing their group of object balls and legally pocketing the black ball wins the game. As their name suggests, bca is more widely recognised in the us while wpa rules are used around the world. Pool rules for apa league and tournament play billiard rules.
Having a little knowledge of 8 ball rules will give you an upper hand over other players in parties and home. This is a beginners explanation of eight ball pool rules. The primary purpose of this game is for one player to pocket the solid balls numbered from 1 to 7 or the striped balls numbered from 9 to 15, and then mark and pocket the 8ball before his opponent. If you scratch on the break, your opponent can place the cue ball anywhere behind the. Standardized rules published by the world poolbilliard association wpa. I know you are asking for the wpa rules, but the below rules are my favorite version of american 8 ball, with what i think is the best rule book, the bcapl. Page 2 eight ball rules object of the game eight ball is a call shot game played with a cue ball and 15 object balls, numbered 1 through 15. Find a copy of the wpa 10 ball rules here ten ball is a call shot game played with ten object balls numbered one through ten and the cue ball. Apacpa 8ball game rules generaldescription8ballisplayedwithacueball andnormalrackoffifteen15objectballs. Blackball sometimes written black ball, also known as reds and yellows and english eightball. The rules of 8 ball pool eight ball pool explained. Ballinhand means you get to put the cue ball anywhere on the table with the exception of a scratch on the break which results in ballinhand behind the head string, and shoot any of your balls or the 8ball, if all of your balls have been pocketed regardless of where that ball is.
Pool billiard association wpa have produced a standardized set of rules for. The games of pool billiards are played on a flat table covered with cloth. If you walk into a bar or a pool hall and you see people playing pool, theres a good chance theyre in the middle of a game of 8ball. The only exception to this is the break see the 8 ball and 9 ball differences that follow. One player must pocket balls of the group 1 through 7 solid colours, while the other player has the group 9 through 15 stripes. There are 2 main bodies governing the playing of the 8ball game. Accidentally striking the cue ball with any part of the cue. It is based on the world poolbilliard association wpa world standardized.
However, as you noted in your question, there are competing sets of rules. Eightball is a pool pocket billiards game popular in much of the world, and it is the subject of. Playing a shot before all balls have come to rest from the previous shot. Ninh explains the rules of 8 ball pool a popular cue sports table game from the usa. The only exception to this is the break see the 8ball and 9ball differences that follow. If the breaker scratches while pocketing the 8ball on the break, the incoming player has the option of a rerack or having the 8ball spotted and begin shooting with ball in hand behind the head string. World poolbilliard association wpa has international standardized rules for 8 ball.
It fully details the official billiard congress of america tournament rules as well as the most common house rules and explains how they differ. If no object ball is pocketed, failure to drive the cue ball or some object ball to a rail after the cue ball contacts the object ball is a foul. The world poolbilliard association wpa is probably the most geographically widespread of the tournament organizations. Failing to cause the cue balls initial contact with a ball, to be with a ball on. Thepurpose ofthisgameisforoneplayertopocketthesolidballs. If the first object ball contacted by the cue ball is not the lowest numbered ball on the table, the shot is a foul. Additional rules specific to the game of 8 ball include. The rules you are about to read and understand are the collaboration of years of deliberation from our touring professionals.
I appreciate this may be out of scope, but essentially, are the differences between wpa and 8ball that. This version of the rules referred to the wpa rules of american 8ball, 9ball. Black ball rules except when clearly contradicted by these additional rules, the general rules of pocket billiards apply. If the rack is struck, but the break does not qualify as. The primary purpose of this game is for one player to pocket the solid balls numbered from 1 to 7 or the striped balls numbered from 9 to 15, and then pocket the 8 ball before their opponent. Rules and specifications billiards congress of america. The object of the game is to pocket the 10 ball on any legal shot after the break. I appreciate this may be out of scope, but essentially, are the differences between wpa and 8 ball that. Failure to strike the head ball or second row of balls does not result in a foul. Failing to cause the cue ball s initial contact with a ball, to be with a ball on. Alternatively use balls numbered 1 to 7 and 9 to15. Eight ball is a call shot game played with a cue ball and fifteen object balls, numbered 1 through 15. Black ball is played with 15 colored object balls and the cue ball. One player must pocket balls of the group numbered 1 through 7 solid colors, while the other player has 9 thru 15 stripes.
In fact, because of the obvious intent is to scoop the cb, the foul could be ruled as unsportsmanlike conduct as well per wpa rules 6. Pockets the 8 ball in a pocket other than the one designated. When the shooter has the cue ball in hand behind the head string and all the legal object balls. Pool billiards the rules of play effective 1108 contents. The older world eightball pool federation rules predate the wpa blackball rules, and.
Apacpa 8 ball game rules generaldescription 8 ballisplayedwithacueball andnormalrackoffifteen15objectballs. Our professionals have come together to ensure a simple, yet highly effective ruling system that is sure to. The 8 ball is knocked of the table by the opposition. The games of pool billiards are played on a flat table covered with cloth and bounded by. If the 8ball is pocketed on the break, breaker may ask for a rerack or have the 8ball. Jul 03, 2015 ninh explains the rules of 8 ball pool a popular cue sports table game from the usa. In general, players are not permitted to introduce novel equipment into the. General description eight ball is played with a cue ball and normal rack of 15 object balls. Failure to strike the 1ball first does not result in a foul. Pockets the 8 ball on the same stroke as the last of his group of balls. I know you are asking for the wpa rules, but the below rules are my favorite version of american 8ball, with what i think is the best rule book, the bcapl. The balls are played in ascending numerical order and the lowest numbered ball must be contacted by the cue ball in order to establish a legal hit. The shooters group of seven balls one through seven or nine through fifteen must all be off the table before he attempts to pocket the eight ball to win.
Get the apa pool rules including the official team manual, rule booklet, videos and materials on how to keep score as well as membership applications and other information on how handicap information is calculated. If the 8ball is pocketed on the break, the breaker may ask for a rerack or have the 8ball spotted and continue shooting. Pool billiards the rules of play iware designs ltd. If the shooter legally pockets any ball on a shot except a push out, see 2. Accidentally striking an object ball with any part of the cue. Pool and billiards rules sets and resources for laerning and knowing how to play properly.
Unlike other sports, there is no single authority for pool that sets the rules for this game. If a ball does not hit a rail after contact with the object ball, it is considered a ball in hand foul for the opponent. Pool rules billiards and pool principles, techniques, resources. The object of the game is to pocket the 10ball on any legal shot after the break. Have a rules question that you couldnt find in the official rules of cuesports international. The equipment must meet existing wpa equipment specifications. The apa 8 ball format is not a call pocket format the apa 8 ball format is played just like the pros play 9 ball on tv. The apa 8ball format is not a call pocket format the apa 8ball format is played just like the pros play 9ball on tv. Balls 17 are solid colors and commonly referred to as low balls, and balls 9 15 are striped and commonly referred to as high. Eight ball eight ball is played with fifteen numbered object balls and the cue ball. Im from england and a friend just got a 7ft english style pool table, so im suddenly interested in the different versions of 8 ball pool rules out there, and its difficult to keep track of them.