How to Play 8-Ball

This simplified version of 8-Ball is sometimes called Stripes and Solids. It's a good beginner's pool game for either two players or two teams of two. Your goal is to be the first player to sink all of your balls and then the 8-ball.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Billiard Lighting
• Bridges For Pool
• Cue Stick Chalk
• Pool Balls
• Pool Cue Carrying Cases
• Pool Cues
• Pool Table Covers
• Pool Table Horsehair Brushes
• Pool Tables
• Pool Triangles

1. Put the balls in the rack with the 8-ball in the center, the 1-ball in one corner, and a stripe and a solid in the other two corners. The rest of the balls may follow whatever pattern you wish.

2. Set the rack so that the triangle points toward the head of the table with the 1-ball at the tip of that point. Position the 1-ball on the foot spot. (See Glossary.)

3. Snug the balls up against the rack. Carefully remove the rack and set it aside.

4. Decide who will shoot first and how strict to be about calling fouls.

5. Place the white cue ball anywhere behind the head string.

6. Shoot smoothly. Keep the cue stick parallel to the table throughout the entire stroke.

7. Continue to shoot the type of ball (striped or solid) you sink if it is any ball except the cue or 8-ball. If the cue ball follows the ball into the pocket, it's called "scratch" and the table is still open. If you make one of each striped and solid on the break, you may choose either type.

8. Give up your turn to the other player or team if no balls drop into a pocket or you scratch.

9. Note that a player can continue shooting as long as he pockets the correct type of ball, does not foul, and does not sink the 8-ball before all seven of his balls are dropped.

10. Alternate with your partner if you have one.

11. Choose the pocket you will sink the 8-ball in. Make it, and win the game. If you miss, the game goes on.

Tips & Warnings

• If you sink the 8-ball before all your balls are gone, you lose.
• You must hit your own ball with the cue ball first. Using an opponent's ball to hit your own is a foul and results in a ball-in-hand situation for the other player.
• If a ball goes off the table, place it on the foot spot to put it back into play.
• Keep at least one foot on the floor when shooting.
• You can make this game harder by requiring that the balls be pocketed in numerical order.

on 11/22/2005 When playing, deal each player 5 cards. Each card goes with a certain ball. 1 = ace 2 = deuce, etc. To win the game, you must have your 5 balls sunk (not necessarily by you, so you don't need to go to win). You don't need to sink your own ball to continue your turn. All regular rules apply.

on 11/22/2005 When playing 8-ball, play one pocket. After you first pocket a called ball, you have to sink all your balls in that same pocket including the 8-ball. If you sink the 8-ball in the wrong pocket, you lose. (From Minnosota Fats' book.)