The rare cases people argue about
Rare situations, and the ones people argue about.
A · Advanced · 8 rules · Step 3 of 4The general rules
Fouls
- Is it a foul to touch a ball in pool?Touching any object ball with anything but other balls during a shot is a foul, as is touching the cue ball except by the tip in a normal stroke or while it is in hand.
- Are jump shots legal in pool?A legal jump shot is played by raising the cue and driving the cue ball down into the cloth so it bounces over an obstacle.
- What does "above the head string" mean for ball in hand?When the cue ball is in hand above the head string, it must be placed in that area, not on or beyond the line.
- What is the three-foul rule in pool?Three fouls in a row, with no legal shot between them, are a serious foul, usually costing the rack.
Other games
- How does straight pool (14.1 continuous) work?In straight pool every legally pocketed called ball scores a point, and the first player to the agreed score wins.
- How is blackball different from 8-ball?Blackball uses two groups of seven balls and a black, with shots not called.
- How are one-pocket and bank pool played?In one-pocket each player is given one of the foot-end corner pockets, and the first to sink eight balls into their own pocket wins the rack.