SportsMaze

What changes the result

The rules behind the moments commentators get excited about. They build on the beginner rules.

I · Intermediate · 8 rules · Step 2 of 4

The general rules

  1. How do you decide who breaks in pool?The lag is the first shot of a match.
  2. Do you have to call your shots in pool?In games that require it, the shooter must name the ball and the pocket for each shot unless both are obvious.

Fouls

  1. What is a "no rail" foul in pool?In games that require a particular ball first, hitting any other ball first is a foul.

8-ball

  1. What makes a legal break in 8-ball?The break is played from above the head string, with no call and no ball required first.
  2. How do you lose at 8-ball?A player loses the rack if they pocket the 8-ball on a foul, before clearing their group or in a pocket they did not call, or drive it off the table.

9-ball and 10-ball

  1. What is a push out in 9-ball?The break is played from above the head string.
  2. What happens after a foul in 9-ball?After a standard foul, play passes and the opponent has the cue ball in hand anywhere on the table.
  3. How is 10-ball different from 9-ball?10-ball uses ten balls, played in numerical order like 9-ball, but every shot except the break is called and there is no safety call.
A · Advanced · 8 rulesNext: advanced rules