How to play 8 Ball (Billiards / Pool)

Learn the rules to the billiard game 8 Ball quickly and concisely - This video has no distractions, just the rules.

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RULES:
The object of 8 ball is to be the first player to pocket the black 8 ball. Rack all 15 balls with the 8 ball in the center with a stripe and solid in the bottom corners.

A legal break requires the breaker to pocket a ball or drive at least four numbered balls to the rails. Fails to do so is a foul and the next player may choose to leave the table as is and begin their turn or re-rack the balls and choose to break themselves or make their opponent rebreak. If you scratch on the break, all pocketed balls remain pocketed and you foul and the table remains open. If you pocket the 8 ball on a break, the breaker may ask for a rerack or have the 8-ball spotted and continue shooting.

The table is "open" when the choice of stripes or solids has not yet been determined. The first player to pocket a ball is assigned that group either solids or stripes and must now pocket every ball of that group before they can pocket the 8 ball and win. If the table is open and you contact the 8 ball first, then any balls pocketed may not be scored in your favor, your turn ends, any pocketed balls remain pocketed and the table remains open. After a break, the table always remains open, even if balls of only one group were pocketed.

Once the table is closed, on every shot, the first ball the cue ball hits must be of the shooter’s assigned group. On every shot you must pocket a numbered ball or cause a ball to contact a rail after the object ball is hit. Failure to do so is a foul. You’re allowed to contact the rail before striking the object ball.

For tactical reasons, a player may choose to pocket an obvious object ball and also discontinue a turn at the table by declaring "safety" in advance. Prior to the shot, the shooter must declare a "safety" to the opponent. If this is not done, and one of the shooter's object balls is pocketed, the shooter will be required to shoot again. Any ball pocketed on a safety shot remains pocketed.

Fouls results in cue ball in hand and the opposing player may place the ball anywhere on the table and hit in any direction. Illegally pocketed balls remain pocketed. If the 8 ball is jumped off the table the shooter loses the game.

After a player has legally pocketed all of his group of balls, he shoots to pocket the 8-ball. When shooting at the 8-ball, a scratch or foul is NOT a loss of the game. A player loses the game by committing any of the following infractions:

Fouls when pocketing the 8-ball. Pockets the 8-ball on the same stroke as the last of his group of balls. Jumps the 8-ball off the table. Pockets the 8-ball in a pocket other than the one called. Pockets the 8-ball when it is not the legal object ball. Please Note: Three consecutive fouls by one player is not a loss of game.

All infractions must be called before another shot is taken or else it will be deemed that no infraction occurred. The first player to legally pocket the 8 ball wins.

[g.j]

The best Rule Explanation by Demonstration video on youtube.
Cheers!

[elijah_coursey_]

I always played that you could put the ball wherever you want after a foul/scratch in 8 ball because I read that rule online. Everyone I play with does the cue ball in the kitchen rule for some reason. I knew I was right.

[honeyjuice]

I didn't even know their is a differents thanks

[LeotheTiger]

My uncle used to have a pool table. We didn't know how to play 9-ball or straight pool, so it was always 8-ball. We still had fun, though.

[John]

there is a lot to unpack here! :) Thank you.

[barrydheil]

These rules for 8 ball are much different than how I often see it played. The way I see it played is that all billiards of either stripe or solid must be pocketed before sinking the 8 ball. If the 8 ball is sunk before said condition, it's a defaulted loss by the player. Perhaps this is just a regional variation?

[useyourseatbelt]

Do you have to call the pocket that your shooting the ball at?

[Justjack]

All my life, including tournement and team play, I was told that if you sink the eight ball on the break, you win. Unless, of course, you scratch the cue ball. And if I scratch the cue ball during play, I do NOT have ball in hand. I simply put it anywhere BEHIND the line at the end of the table you shot the cue ball from towards the pack to break. A lot of different rules, commonly referred to as House Rules, have a lot more different rules.

[AndersonWave]

I don’t understand what you mean by “may not be scored” when the ball remains pocketed anyway. If it’s pocketed then I’m closer to winning period I don’t care what “score” you’re talking about

[mohamedhusni]

So cant we directly hit our ball to the pocket?? Always need to hit it with rails ??

[wor]

How do u know when to give the other player the q ball & when can they put it anywhere they want on the table?

[toluwanimercy]

I still don’t understand jor ...I don’t even know how to shoot 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[zman]

I’ve played 50 years. Never had rules like this at all.

[laserpanda]

1:40 what a shot

Ok he's doing trick shots

[KTzer_]

What's the rule on a miscue on the break when the cue ball scratch without hitting the rack balls??

[Bryan.Hernandez]

How many times did it take to pocket the white ball on break? I imagine a good amount of times lmao

[luizXY]

I guess must be Agent 8 Least favorite game

[TheVarietyArchive]

What gave you the idea to do a How to Play Pool video?

[thescholarsjourney]

What if you pocket the eight ball on a break?

[stephenessilfie]

What happens when you score a ball and a white ball when breaking? Is it still open?