If you want to know where you stand on the fundamental rule controversies of our time there is only one thing for it: ask Max.
Eight ball
8-ball is the classic pool game and the one that most people know. Spots or stripes first, then the black to win. We recommend the American rules if you are playing on one of the larger American tables like the ones at The Elbow Room. playing pool on English tables is crap because the tables are too small, they're usually on a slope, the cues are always bent, the cloth is so slow it's like playing on a carpet, the balls are made of plastic and go thud instead of click, and you have to play the local nerd because the table is a coin-op and it's winner stays on. pool tables should be booked by the hour - like hotel rooms.
But whatever table you play on we have to concede it can be helpful to know the basics of the English 8-ball rules because they are the rules which most people are used to playing, so here are both versions. For a detailed analysis of the differences between them go to the 'Ask Max' section
American Rules
One player must pocket spots/solids (1-7), the other stripes (9-15). To win you must pocket all the balls in your group, followed by the black (8 ball). The balls are racked in a triangle with the 8-ball in the centre, the first ball of the rack on the spot, then a stripe ball in one corner and a spot in the other. All balls must be touching. You can break with the white ball positioned anywhere behind the headspot. To execute a legal break you must either:
- pocket a ball
- Drive at least four numbered balls to the cushion
If the white goes down on the break, balls remain pocketed and the table is open. The incoming player shoots the ball from behind the headspot and may not hit any ball behind the line of the headspot.
If the black goes down on the break you may ask for a re-rack or have the black placed on the spot and continue.
In official rules the choice of stripes or spots is not determined on the break. Even if a ball goes down the table remains open. The choice of group is only determined when you legally pocket an object ball after the break shot. In fact most people play that you shoot whatever group you pot on the break and only get the choice if you pot one of each.
You must call your shots, naming both the object ball and the intended pocket. Obvious balls and pockets do not need to be called, nor do any details (e.g. doubles, kisses etc.). Any balls pocketed on a foul remain pocketed, regardless of whose balls they are. If the black goes down when it is not the legal object ball the game is lost.
If you foul, even if the white ball remains on the table, your opponent gets cue ball in hand to place anywhere on the table. This rule prevents intentional fouls, though it is generally ignored in the US. In most 'house rules' the white is played from where it lies and there is therefore no actual penalty for a foul stroke.
When playing the black, a foul does not result in loss of game unless the white goes down as well.
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English Rules
One player must pocket spots (1-7) and the other stripes (9-15). To win you must pocket all the balls in your group, followed by the black (8 ball). The balls are racked with the black on the spot, in the following formation. To execute a legal break you must:
- pocket a ball
- Drive at least two numbered balls to the cushion
After a foul break the opposing player re-racks, and has a free shot after the break. If the black goes down on the break the game is restarted by the same player with no penalty.
If you legally pocket a ball on the break that denotes your group, unless you pocket one ball from each in which case you must nominate spots or stripes before your next shot.
Combination shots are allowed provided that you hit one of your own balls first.
Contrary to popular belief it is legal to pocket one of your opponents balls so long as you hit one of your own balls first and one of them is pocketed on the same shot.
If your opponent fouls you get a free shot, played from wherever the white ball lies or from the D if the white is no longer on the table. You can play any ball, including your opponent's balls and the black. Following a single free shot you continue as normal. In other words, two shots do not carry.
You lose the game if you pot the black before you have potted all the balls in your group, and also if you foul when potting the black. You do not lose the game for a foul on the black if the black is not pocketed.
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Nine ball
9-ball might not be quite as accessible as 8-ball, but it's a hell of a game. One of the reasons it is less popular is that you only use half the balls so its not the natural choice on a coin-op table. It's also a harder game in the sense that you always have to aim at a specific ball - you don't have the options you get in 8-ball. But the great thing about it is, as they'd say in the US, 'slops count'. By which they mean it's OK to fluke - you don't call your shots, as you do in 8-ball (American rules). The other great thing is that your both going for the same balls, so your opponent can pot balls 1 to 8 but if they miss the 9-ball and you pot it then you win. This makes it much easier for good players to lose, which is a good thing. 9-ball has taken over from straight pool as the tournament game of choice on the US pro circuit.
The aim of the game is to pot the 9 ball, either on the break or on any legal shot.
Nine ball is played with object balls numbered 1-9 (all the spots and the 9 ball which is the yellow stripe). The balls are racked in a diamond with the 1-ball at the top on the footspot and the nine ball in the centre. The other balls can be placed in random order.
You break from anywhere behind the headspot and if you pot the 9-ball on the break then you've won already. To make a legal break you must hit the 1-ball and drive at least four numbered balls to the rails.
On each shot the first ball the cue ball touches must be the lowest numbered ball on the table, but the balls don't need to be pocketed in order. As long as a player hits the lowest numbered ball first and that ball or any other ball is potted, then the break continues. Unless you manage to plant the 9-ball, in which case you win. You are not required to call your shots.
If no ball is pocketed, it is a foul if either the cue ball or the object ball does not hit a cushion. Three consecutive fouls results in the loss of the game.
The penalty for any foul is ball in hand - so if you foul your opponent gets to pick up the white ball and place it wherever they like on the table. If the 9-ball is potted on a foul shot or jumps off the table it is re-spotted - you don't lose the game.
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Cut throat
Cut throat is a great game for three people - worth trying as an alternative to winner stays on. perfect if you want to gang up on someone.
The balls are racked as for 8-ball. The first player breaks and takes the 'small ones' (1-5), the second player takes the 'middle ones' (6-10) and the third player takes the 'big ones' (11-15).
The aim is to pocket all of your opponents balls and the winner is the last player with one or more balls remaining. It is legal to play or pocket one of your own balls, which you may wish to do for tactical reasons.
If you foul, each of your opponents pulls a ball out of a pocket (if there is one) and spots it at the footspot.
Once all of your balls have been pocketed you are out of the game, returning only if another player fouls and one of your balls is therefore re-spotted.
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Footwear
One of the lesser known rules in American pool, but one of the most important, concerns footwear. The rules state that 'foot attire must be normal in regard to size, shape and manner in which it is worn'. If there is the slightest doubt that your opponent might be in breach of regulations it makes sense to express your reservations before you start playing. If your opponent has any respect for the game and its traditions they will be only too glad to take appropriate action, and in the absence of alternative footwear they may wish to play barefoot.
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The rack
If you want to unsettle your opponent, what better place to start. If they can't even rack the balls properly, how can they expect to give you a decent game. Most people don't know how to rack'em. Make them aware of this inadequacy and establish the upper hand in the psychological battle at the earliest possible stage.
English rules specify that you should alternate lines of spots and stripes, as below, while the American rules are actually less specific - all they require is the black in the middle, a stripe in one corner and a spot in the other (or solid - if you actually want to sound American). If you rack up the English way you are actually complying with
There is one further, tiny, fundamentally irrelevant but useful difference between the racks. In American rules the first ball of the rack goes on the headspot, while in English rules it's the black on the spot. Snigger at the opponent who gets it wrong, tell him not to worry about it, but just make sure he's feeling small.
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The break
This is where it starts getting confusing. Confusion is the rock on which you should build your competitive advantage, so it's worth taking some time digest the following summary of the situation.
Legal break:
If you don't pocket a ball on the break you have to make a certain number of balls hit the cushions. In American rules it's four balls and if you fail your opponent has the option of playing on with ball in hand, breaking himself or making you break again. In English rules only two balls have to hit the cushion, but if you fail your opponent can re-rack, break and then have a free shot.
Spots or stripes:
In the official American rules your choice of spots or stripes is not determined by which balls are pocketed from the break, whereas in English rules you have to play what you pot (or what you pot most of), though you keep your choice if you pot one of each. In fact most American pool is played according to the English version of the rule.
potting the white:
Normal penalties apply in both rules - ball in hand (American) or free shot (English) - and in both cases the table remains open.
potting the black:
No - you don't lose. In American rules the breaker has the option of re-spotting the black and continuing their break or breaking again. In English rules you break again.
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Calling shots
This is one of the fundamental differences. In American rules you must call your shots unless it is obvious. You nominate the ball and intended pocket, though you don't have to say how it's going to get there (cushions, kisses etc.). If you pot the wrong ball, or the right ball in the wrong pocket, it stays down. English rules are free of all such complications - all you have to learn is the poker face to convince your opponent that the fluke was intentional.
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Two shots
The official rules on penalties bear very little relation to what most people play. In American rules you're supposed to take ball in hand when your opponent fouls, meaning you can pick up the white and play it from wherever you like on the table. In most places this rule is ignored and you play the white where it lies, therefore no penalty and a consequently gung-ho style of play. Try playing safety in the average American bar and they'll think you're mad.
In English rules the common misconception is that you get two shots which carry through, so if you pot one ball and miss the next you still have another go. In fact the rule is that you have one free shot, in which you can play any ball (including the black) and also pocket any of your opponents balls (but not the black). However if you choose to pocket one of your own balls you are effectively forfeiting your free shot as it does not carry through.
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Fouls on the black
First things first: no, you don't get two shots on the black. See the section on penalties. After the break, if you pot the black at any time before you've potted your other balls then you lose. But what happens when you're on to the black. Do you lose if you foul? Is that it? Only if you pot it as well, and this rule is the same in both English and American rules.
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Acts of god
It's useful to know what to do in the event of an Act of God (earthquake, hurricane, second coming etc.). American rules state that if the balls cannot be restored to their original positions the game should be replayed, with the original player breaking.
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