- The game of 8-ball is often referred to as "solids and stripes" because players will clear either solid balls or striped balls before being able to sink the 8-ball and win. To break, the balls are racked in a triangle and the cue ball must strike the first ball and pocket at least one ball or send at least four balls to the rail to be a legal break. Getting the 8-ball in on the break will cause either a re-rack and break or a spotting of the 8-ball. Combination shots in 8-ball require that you hit your ball first. You are not allowed to use the 8-ball to start a combination. The table is "open" if no ball is sunk on the break. As soon as someone sinks a ball, solid or stripe, they "own" that group. If you sink both a solid and a stripe, you are able to choose your group.
- Playing 9-ball means you break the balls and then must sink them in numerical order (1 through 9). The balls are racked in a diamond and the break requires at least four numbered balls to hit a rail upon the break. In order to sink a ball legally, you need to strike the next numerical ball available on the table first. So if the 3-ball is already sunk, you may hit the 4 to hit the 9-ball in. If you make three consecutive fouls in the game, you lose the game. Fouls include striking an ineligible ball, jumping a ball off the table or not railing the cue ball when not sinking your intended ball.
- Players may alternate breaks or choose to allow the loser or trailing player to break. You commit a foul if you hit a number other than the next designated ball. You may push the cue ball into an area of strategic position without hitting another ball without committing a foul. Scratching is when the cue ball is sunk accidentally and leads to the other player having ball in hand. It is assumed that all players can tell where the shot is going to go, eliminating the need for "calling your shot pocket." An opponent can request you to call the shot if your shot is obvious.
