Eight Ball is one of the most iconic and widely played formats of pool, known for its strategic depth and high stakes as players aim to pocket the eight ball after clearing their designated group. If you’re ready to up your game, here’s an exhaustive guide to WPA-standardized 8 Ball rules.

Overview: Understanding 8 Ball

Eight Ball is played with fifteen numbered balls and a cue ball. The objective is to pocket all balls of a designated group—either solids (1-7) or stripes (9-15)—and then legally pocket the eight ball to win. It sounds simple, but precise play and strategy are key to mastering this game.

Getting Started: The Lag and the Break

Lagging for First Break

The game begins with a lag to determine play order. Each player strikes a ball towards the foot cushion, and the player whose ball stops closest to the head cushion chooses who will break.

Setting Up the Rack

• Fifteen object balls are racked tightly in a triangle.
• The apex ball (typically the 1-ball) is placed on the foot spot.
• The eight ball is positioned at the center of the rack.
• One striped and one solid ball are placed in each of the back corners of the triangle.

Executing the Break

• The cue ball is placed behind the head string for the break shot.
• A legal break requires at least four balls to contact a rail if no balls are pocketed.

Outcomes of the Break

• If a ball is pocketed without fouling, the breaker continues with an open table.
• Pocketing the eight ball on a break is not a foul; the breaker may re-spot the eight ball or re-break.
• If the eight ball is pocketed with a scratch, the opponent may re-spot the eight or re-break.

Open Table and Choosing Groups

After the break, the table is “open” until a player pockets a ball. During an open table, either stripes or solids can be legally targeted. Once a player pockets a ball from one group, they are “assigned” that group, and their opponent takes the other.

• Open Table Shots: Players can strike any object ball except the eight ball.
• Group Assignment: Determined once a called shot from a group is pocketed legally.

Continuing Play

• Calling Shots: Each shot requires calling the intended ball and pocket.
• Safety Play: Players may call a “safety,” indicating they won’t pocket a ball and pass the turn to their opponent.
• Remaining at the Table: The shooter continues until they miss, foul, or attempt the eight ball (if their group is cleared).

Winning the Game

• Calling the Pocket: Before attempting the eight ball, players must call the intended pocket.
• Legal Shot Requirements: The eight ball must go into the called pocket without fouls.
• Loss Conditions: You lose if:
  • You pocket the eight ball prematurely.
  • The eight ball goes into an uncalled pocket.
  • The eight ball is driven off the table.
  • You scratch while pocketing the eight ball.

Fouls in 8 Ball

Fouls give the opponent ball-in-hand, allowing them to place the cue ball anywhere. Common fouls include:

• Scratch or Cue Ball off Table: Cue ball is pocketed or jumps off the table.
• Wrong Ball First: Hitting an opponent’s ball first after groups are assigned.
• No Rail after Contact: At least one ball must hit a rail after the cue ball contacts an object ball.
• No Foot on Floor: At least one foot must touch the floor during the shot.
• Ball Driven off Table: Object balls driven off the table stay out unless the eight ball, which is re-spotted.
• Touched Ball: Accidentally moving a ball with hand, cue, or equipment.
• Double Hit or Push Shot: Cue contacts the cue ball more than once.
• Playing out of Turn: Shooting when it’s the opponent’s turn.

Serious Fouls: Loss of Rack

• Prematurely Pocketing the Eight Ball: Sinking the eight ball before clearing your group.
• Uncalled Pocket for Eight Ball: Eight ball goes into an uncalled pocket.
• Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Disrupting play may lead to loss of rack or ejection.

Stalemates and Game Resets

If no progress can be made, a referee may call a stalemate, resetting the game with a new break. Stalemates can happen if no legal shot is possible, or players repeatedly leave the cue ball defensively.

Equipment Rules and Special Situations

• Cue and Accessories: Only approved cues, chalk, gloves, and bridges are allowed.
• Ball Spotting and Replacement: Fouls or pocketed eight balls on the break require spotting balls on their respective spots.