Learn to Play Nine Ball

Learn to Play Nine Ball & ENJOY One OF America’s favourite billiard games

Learn to Play Nine Ball –
Overview

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 one ball legally and then caroms or by combination pockets the nine ball that 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 the 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 the white cue ball.

The Nine Ball

The 9 ball is yellow with a white stripe.

The Rack

A “Diamond” rack (rows 1-2-3-1) with the 1 ball on the foot spot, and the 9 ball in the diamond’s centre, other balls may be placed entirely at random. A triangle rack can also be used by leaving a gap in the back corners.

Learn to Play Nine Ball –
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 the starting player fails to do any of the above, the incoming player has a cue ball in hand anywhere on the table. Nine balls on break wins. Each rack of 9-balls 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 the rack entirely, it is a foul. The cue ball is placed behind the head string and the incoming player has the choice of breaking or making the same player break again.

Learn to Play Nine Ball –
Play Begins

Each rack of Nine 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 ball’s 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 and the 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

The incoming player has the “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 the referee and 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 a 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 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 time 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 the 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.

Also, a Nine-ball on break wins.

If you want to learn to play Nine Ball, you might also want to learn to play 8-ball