What makes a legal break in 8-ball?
I · Intermediate · 8-ball · 4 of 8The break is played from above the head string, with no call and no ball required first. If nothing is pocketed, at least four balls must reach a cushion or the break is illegal. Pocketing the 8-ball on a legal break is not a loss: the breaker can have it spotted or break again.
How it works
- From: ball in hand above the head string.
- No call: and any ball may be hit first.
- A ball pocketed without a foul: the breaker carries on, and the table stays open.
- Nothing pocketed: at least four object balls must be driven to cushions, or the break is illegal.
- After an illegal break: the incoming player may accept the table, or have the balls re-racked and then break themselves or make the offender break again.
- The 8-ball on a legal break: the breaker may have it spotted and play on, or break again.
- The 8-ball on a foul break: the opponent may have it spotted and take ball in hand above the head string, or break again.
- A ball driven off on the break: a foul; it stays out (the 8-ball is spotted); the opponent accepts the table or takes ball in hand above the head string.
- Other fouls on the break: the same choice for the opponent.
The glossary has the break shot, the eight-ball, the rack, the open table, the ball in hand and the scratch.
Tricky cases
The breaker pots the 8-ball and nothing else. Do they win?
No. On a legal break they choose to spot the 8-ball and play on, or to break again.
The breaker scratches on the break. What does the opponent get?
Ball in hand above the head string, or they can accept the table as it is.
Only three balls reach a cushion and nothing drops. What can the opponent do?
Accept the table as it lies, or have the balls re-racked and then break themselves or make the breaker break again.
A striped ball flies off the table on the break. Is it put back?
No. It stays out of play. Only the 8-ball is spotted.
Why the rule exists
Requiring four balls to the cushions makes the breaker hit the rack hard, so the break cannot be used as a safety. Not counting an early 8-ball as a loss keeps a lucky break from ending the rack.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 8-ball | Four balls to cushions | WPA 4.3(d) |
| 9-ball | Four balls to cushions, and the three-ball rule | WPA 5.3 |
| Blackball | A ball pocketed or two past the centre string; black on the break means a re-rack | WPA 8.5 |
| Straight pool | Called ball, or the cue ball and two balls to cushions | WPA 7.3 |
From the rule book
World Pool-Billiard Association, Rules of Play (effective 15 September 2025), 8-Ball 4.1, 4.3 and 4.7 and General Rule 1.3. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the WPA Rules of Play, revised from time to time.