How do you play 9-ball?
B · Beginner · 9-ball and 10-ball · 6 of 69-ball uses nine balls numbered 1 to 9. On every shot the cue ball must hit the lowest-numbered ball on the table first, but any ball may go in. A player who pockets a ball legally keeps shooting. Whoever legally pockets the 9-ball wins the rack, even early. Shots are not called.
How it works
- Balls: nine object balls, 1 to 9.
- The rack: a tight diamond, the 1-ball at the front towards the head end, the 9-ball in the middle on the foot spot.
- First contact: the cue ball must hit the lowest-numbered ball on the table first.
- Pockets: any ball pocketed legally counts; shots are not called.
- Continuing: a legal pocket keeps the shooter at the table.
- Winning: legally pocketing the 9-ball on any shot except a push out wins the rack.
- A miss: the incoming player plays from where the cue ball stopped.
- A foul: the incoming player has ball in hand anywhere.
- Spotting: only the 9-ball, if pocketed on a foul or push out or driven off the table.
- Breaks: alternate from rack to rack.
The glossary has the nine-ball, the rack, the combo shot, the ball in hand, the standard fouls and the break shot.
Tricky cases
The player hits the 1-ball into the 9-ball and the 9 drops. Do they win?
Yes. The 1-ball was hit first, so the 9-ball was pocketed legally.
The 9-ball goes in on a foul. What happens?
It is spotted, and the opponent gets ball in hand.
The player pockets the 4-ball while the 2 is the lowest ball. Legal?
Yes, if the cue ball hit the 2 first and no foul was made.
Do players call their shots in 9-ball?
No. 9-ball has no call rule, so flukes count.
Why the rule exists
Making the lowest ball the target keeps a clear order, while allowing any ball to drop rewards the combination shot. The 9-ball as the winner means a rack can turn in a single shot.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 9-ball | No calls; the 9 wins at any time | WPA 5 |
| 10-ball | Called shots; the 10 wins only as the last ball | WPA 6 |
| 8-ball | Groups and the 8-ball last | WPA 4 |
From the rule book
World Pool-Billiard Association, Rules of Play (effective 15 September 2025), 9-Ball 5 (introduction), 5.1, 5.2, 5.5 and 5.6 and General Rule 1.3. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the WPA Rules of Play, revised from time to time.