9-Ball

Objective and legal balls

The shot is legal when the cue ball first contacts the lowest-numbered ball on the table. Balls pocketed on legal shots stay down, including combinations that pocket the 9-ball.

Racking and break

Balls are racked in a diamond with the 1-ball at the apex and 9-ball in the center. A legal break requires first contact on the 1-ball and either a pocketed ball or enough balls driven to rails under your event rules.

Turn sequence

After a legal shot with a pocketed ball, your turn continues. If no ball is pocketed, or if you foul, the turn passes.

Common fouls and penalties

Standard foul penalty is ball-in-hand for the incoming player.

• Failing to hit the lowest-numbered ball first.
• No rail after contact on a non-pocketing shot.
• Cue ball scratch or cue ball off the table.
• Push-out, jump, or safety violations when specific tournament rules apply.

Winning the rack

You win by legally pocketing the 9-ball. In many competitive formats, three consecutive fouls by one player can also lose the rack.

House-rule note

Some rooms allow friendly shortcuts (for example relaxed break rules). For rated matches, stick to one clear ruleset before starting.