What does "above the head string" mean for ball in hand?
A · Advanced · Fouls · 4 of 8When the cue ball is in hand above the head string, it must be placed in that area, not on or beyond the line. The cue ball must then cross the head string, or hit a ball on or beyond it, before touching a ball above it. Breaking these rules is a foul, and doing so on purpose is unsportsmanlike conduct.
How it works
- When: for most breaks, and after a scratch in straight pool, one-pocket and bank pool.
- Placement: the cue ball must be above the head string; playing it from on or below the line is a foul.
- Asking: the shooter may ask the referee whether the placement is right.
- First contact above the line: a foul unless the cue ball crosses the head string first.
- Cross or contact: the cue ball must cross the line or hit a ball on or beyond it.
- Penalty: the next player gets the cue ball in hand as the game provides.
- On purpose: either foul played deliberately is unsportsmanlike conduct.
- Balls behind the line: if all legal balls are above it, the nearest may be spotted.
The glossary has the ball in hand, the break shot, the scratch, the standard fouls, the rack and the discipline.
Tricky cases
The player places the cue ball exactly on the head string and breaks. Foul?
Yes. The cue ball must be above the line, not on it.
A legal ball sits right on the head string. Can the cue ball hit it without crossing?
Yes. A ball on the head string may be hit.
The cue ball goes up the table, off the foot cushion and back to a ball above the line. Legal?
Yes. It crossed the head string before contact.
In 9-ball after a scratch, does the cue ball go above the head string?
No. In 9-ball the incoming player has ball in hand anywhere on the table.
Why the rule exists
Making the cue ball leave the head end stops a player with ball in hand from picking off easy balls near the cue ball's starting area.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Bad placement | Foul | WPA 3.10 |
| Bad play from above the head string | Foul | WPA 3.11 |
| 9-ball and 10-ball | 3.11 not in their foul lists | WPA 5.7, 6.9 |
| Blackball | Ball in hand in baulk; it need not leave baulk first | WPA 8.8 |
From the rule book
World Pool-Billiard Association, Rules of Play (effective 15 September 2025), General Rule 1.6 and Fouls 3.10 and 3.11. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the WPA Rules of Play, revised from time to time.