Billiards 9-Ball Rules
Nine-Ball is a billiard game using nine object balls and a cue ball. Two players take turns taking shots with a cue stick trying to hit balls into pockets on the billiard table. As with any game, there are certain rules to follow to claim a proper victory.
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Setting Up the Balls
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The numbered balls used are called object balls. These are set up initially in a diamond-shaped pattern. The 1-Ball is placed at the top of diamond shape on the foot spot. The 9-ball is placed in the center of the diamond surrounded by the other balls in no particular order, but packed tightly together.
The Break
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For the first game, the two players decide who breaks first. After the first game, the loser breaks the next one. The cue ball in a legal break shot has to strike the 1-Ball first and cause one of the other balls to enter a pocket on the table. If no ball enters a pocket, at least four balls must be at the side of the table by the rail.
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Illegal Break
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An illegal break or foul happens if any ball, including the cue ball, jumps off the table during a break. No ball except the 9-Ball is re-spotted. The cue ball landing in a pocket ends the player's turn as well. Now the other player takes her turn and she may place the cue ball anywhere on the table she wants.
In Hand
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When a player is allowed to place the cue ball anywhere on the table, this is called "in hand." The cue ball may not be placed so that it comes into contact with an object ball.
Next Shot
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If the break was legal or not, the game continues with the proper player attempting to pocket more balls. To pocket a ball without committing a foul, the ball that is hit first by the cue ball has to be the next lowest number ball on the billiard table. For example, if the 1-Ball and the 3-Ball are pocketed, the next ball to be hit is the 2-Ball. The balls themselves do not have to be pocketed in any order.
Fouls
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If a player hits a shot that results in rules being broken, it is called a foul. The result of this is the player relinquishes his turn and the next player takes her turn. If there are three foul shots hit in a row by the same player, they lose the game.
Game Over
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The game of 9-Ball is over when a player properly pockets the 9-Ball or when a player forfeits due to three consecutive fouls.
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