How to Play 8 Ball Pool

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
8 Ball Pool is a popular game played around the world. The game is not very simple to master, but an introduction of the game on how to play can be found here.

Steps

1. Learn how to play the game. Eight-Ball is a game played with a cue ball and 15 object balls, numbered 1 through 15. One player must pocket balls of the group numbered 1 through 7 (solid colors), while the other player has 9 through 15 (stripes). The player pocketing either group first, and then legally pocketing the 8-ball wins the game.
• Cue stick specifications: All cue sticks must meet the following specifications:
• No shorter than 53"(1.34 m) and no longer than 63"(1.6 m)
• No lighter than 15 ounces (425 g) and no heavier than 25 ounces (708 g).
• Balance point at least 33"(83 cm) from the tip of the cue.
• Leather cue tip.
• 1. Practice racking the balls. The balls are racked in a triangle at the foot of the table with the 8-ball in the center of the triangle, the first ball of the rack on the foot spot, a stripe ball in one corner of the rack and a solid ball in the other corner.
  2. Practice doing a legal break shot. To execute a legal break shot, the breaker must break behind the head string. He must either pocket a ball, or drive at least four numbered balls to the rail. When the breaker fails to do so, it is a foul, and the incoming player has the option of accepting the table in position and shooting, or having the balls re-racked and having the option of shooting the opening break or allowing the offending player to re-break.
  • Scratch on a legal break - If a player scratches on a legal break shot:
  • All balls pocketed remain pocketed
  • It is a foul
  • The table is open
  • Object balls jumped off the table on the break - If a player jumps an object ball off the table on the break shot, it is a foul and the incoming player has the option of accepting the table in position and shooting, or taking cue ball in hand behind the head string and shooting.
  • 8 ball pocketed on the break - If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break, breaker may ask for a re-rack or have the 8-ball spotted and continue shooting. If the breaker scratches while pocketing the 8-ball on the break, the incoming player has the option of a re-rack or having the 8-ball spotted and begin shooting with ball in hand behind the head string.
  • Combination shots - Combination shots are allowed; however, the 8-ball can not be used as a first ball in the combination unless it is the shooter’s only remaining legal object ball on the table. Otherwise, should such contact occur on the 8-ball, it is a foul.
  • Open table - The table is "open" when the choice of groups (stripes or solids) has not yet been determined. When the table is open, it is legal to hit a solid first to make a stripe or solid.
  • Foul penalty - Opposing player gets cue ball in hand. This means that the player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table
  • Loss of game - A player loses the game by committing any of the following infractions:
  • Fouls when pocketing the 8-ball (exception: see 8-Ball Pocketed On The Break).
  • Pockets the 8-ball on the same stroke as the last of his group of balls.
  • Jumps the 8-ball off the table at any time.
  • Pockets the 8-ball in a pocket other than the one designated.
  • Pockets the 8-ball when it is not the legal object ball.

2. Tips

   • Body Position - The body position must be stable and comfortable when you point the cue ball, swing the cue and hit the cue ball. It starts with:
   • Your feet and shoulders should have the same width.
   • Take one step forward as your leaning foot.
   • If you are right handed use your left foot and vice versa.
   • Put your chest in a parallel direction to the floor.
   • Put the cue on your leaning hand.
   • Look straight over the cue.
   • Holding the cue - Use one hand to lean the cue on (leaning hand). The other is use to swing the cue (calling hand).
   • Swinging the cue:
   • Put the cue on your lean point.
   • The end of the cue must be approximately 15cm from your hand.
   • Hang the cue at the waist level.
   • Hitting the cue ball - Place the tip of your cue about four inches away from the ball. Then position the cue on your leaning hand.When you strike, nothing but your arm should move. Be sure to hold your body still.

   • Related wikiHows

     • How to Power Break an Eight Ball Rack
     • How to Do a 9 Ball Pool Trick Involving 9 Balls
     • How to Play Pool in a Bar or Tavern
     • How to Rack a Pool Table

     Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Play 8 Ball Pool. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.