International 8 Ball Rules | Key Points

The rules have been have been around for a few years but under the name Supreme Rules, and have been rebranded for the launch of Ultimate Pool.

I believe these rules are simple to understand and great fun to play and watch. In this video I showcase some of the key rules we need to know.

All the footage is from FreeSports & Ultimate Pool

I recently retired from being a Professional Pool Player and England International to focus on a commentating and broadcasting career. My aim for this channel is to pass on some of the things I learned along the way, some coaching tips, practice routines and drills, as well as some insights into my broadcasting career.

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[robjames]

Personally i still prefer blackball rules. Simpler, easier to understand and more fun to watch and play. Having said that, I could be sold on cue ball in hand with no free shot as an option after a foul.

[stephenlawrence]

I'm playing blackball rules in our local league. I think the rules on the break are simpler. If you pot it's a legal break and if you foul it's just a normal foul, no re-rack. And the skill shot rule is simpler since the black isn't an exception. That also leads to sone great skill shots to finish the game at times.

[paulkeeble]

Great vid... playing my first singles comp in 7 years tomorrow, never played these rules before but after watching this feeling slightly more confident!

[dermohiggs]

We ran out first International Rules competition at the weekend and the players seemed to really like them and had them figured out in no time. I did up a summary of the main rules for the comp, but this was a great resource for me (in addition to the full PDF of them). Part of their appeal is their simplicity, I think.

[ChickenBoo]

a rule set that might actually get me to play english pool again. Been playing american and chinese 8 ball for a good while now and i like the similarities it has to american 8 ball and chinese 8 ball rules and brings the game to a fairer level.

[billbrown]

Love this, its going to ruin many boring players! Thank you.

[hawickroberts]

Thanks for the great video Simon. Could you please clarify what happens when the object ball is frozen to the cushion. Also when both object ball and cue ball are frozen to the same cushion.

[scottwatson]

After watching hundreds of frames and playing them quite a bit I would say the international rules are pretty good overall (with one exception) but they are definately not perfect like Ultimate Pool seem to think and they would really benefit from a couple of minor tweeks to make them the best set of english pool rules.

[omnipotentgaming]

Did the point rule change to 3 points now? Since this is an old video I’m trying to confirm . Cause I’ve seen everywhere is 3 points not 4 points on the break.

[SlytherinsConspiracies]

I play 8 ball pool at work and I'm constantly at odds with people regarding the rules, my idea is that the rules be in the fairest and most competitive spirit possible. With this in mind I wanted to ask you whether some of my gripes are reasonable or not as I really dont know.
One is that someone can snooker you after not making contact with their object ball and thus committing a foul, leaving you in an almost impossible position and usually garnering the foulee two shots.
Second, the notion that you can't shoot up the table from the baulk after a white is potted, there is not reason for this rule and sometimes results in the foulee benefiting, as all the object balls are in the baulk.
Three and worst is fouls on the black ball and pick a pocket on the black, I hate this. I hate stick pocket, it causes the game to degenerate into just smacking the black around, sometimes ends with the opponent potting your ball, and it always allows the person whos losing to block a pocket perhaps but almost always catch up.
Also theres never a foul on the black, most people just do unlimited fouls on the black, they say 3 fouls and its over but thats deeply unsatisfactory and people play on anyway. I see no reason why you wouldnt play 2 shots on the black (provided theres no carry over as it seems a bit unfair when 2 shots carry over on to the black and the black is very easily potted, I think the spirit here is that if you mess up when your opponent is on the black, you deserve to lose).

[DaveSpicerUK]

Thanks Simon, will share this with my pool buddies as this clears things up :)

[jambacardi]

Well described Simon especially the break part, watching BT sport for and hour 28/12 trying to figure out what was the difference

[SuperNeilyBhoy]

Please confirm number of points required off the break - I have been told it is 3, you say it is 4. ??

[gurdeepchumber]

Im joining a pool league with these rules they look easy to follow wish me luck..

[darrionkemp]

Simon if you're touch ball on your opponents ball can you pot His ball as a loss of turn?

[thomasheal]

These rules are fantastic. I am a Chinese Pool player but I am also a Blackball player so to me it is like watching both in one game in terms of the way it is played and tactics. And it it very attacking. These are the reasons why I love this rule set.

One question. If only 3 balls cross the centre but one of those 3 ball that passes the centre line enters a pocket. Does that one ball consider as two times like in Chinese Pool or does it have to be 4 separate balls? In Jimmy Croxton's illegal break. If that yellow that crossed went in as it was close to the middle would that have been legal?

Is there somewhere on the Internet or Social Media where I can be able to find the official written version of the International Rules?

[tiedoctor]

Hi Simon, thanks for your ongoing contributions to the pool world and congratulations on your move to presenting, you seem to be really getting the hang of it.

Quick question: when there is a ball in hand (after a foul) is it possible to play a free ball? Or do you have to hit your own ball first?

[HillbillyIslandLife]

What size tables r the pros playing on in competition?

[johnlloyd]

Push shot needs clarity. New ref guidance says hearing a double shot is not enough. That’s crazy.

[bangaverage]

I must admit I'm not completely sold on these rules yet. I'm not sure I like being able to pot your opponents ball without potting your own. I'll have to give them a try sometime and see though