How To Play 9 Ball Pool | Pool Student (2024)

Unleash your inner pool shark! Learn the art of pocketing balls in the right order with our comprehensive guide on how to play 9 ball pool.

How To Play 9 Ball Pool

9-ball pool is a popular variation of pool that is played with nine numbered balls and a cue ball. The game’s objective is to legally pocket the balls in numerical order, starting with the 1-ball and ending with the 9-ball. Players take turns shooting, and the first player to pocket the 9-ball wins the game.

To play the game correctly and fairly, it’s important to understand and follow the rules established by theBilliard Congress of America (BCA). In this “How To Play 9 Ball Pool” guide, we will provide an overview of the BCA rules for 9 ball pool and explain how to play the game, how to set up the table, how to take shots, and how to win the game.

The Object Of The Game

The goal in 9-ball pool is to be the first player to legally pocket the 9-ball. To do this, players must shoot the lowest numbered ball on the table first and continue to pot balls in numerical order until the 9-ball is the last remaining ball.

How To Rack The Balls

To rack the balls in 9-ball pool, follow these steps:

1. Place the 1-ball at the front of the rack.
2. Position the other balls randomly within the rack.
3. Ensure the 9-ball is in the center of the rack.
4. The balls should form a diamond shape with the 1-ball at the top and the 9-ball in the middle.

Rules Of The Break

The break shot is the first shot of the game. Here are the rules for the break:

1. The player breaking must strike the racked balls with the cue ball.
2. The cue ball must hit the 1-ball first.
3. At least four balls must hit the rail or a ball must be pocketed on the break shot.
4. If the break shot fails to meet these requirements, it’s a foul, and the incoming player gets ball in hand.

What Is A Push Out

After the break shot, the incoming player has the option to “push out.” Pushing out allows the player to move the cue ball anywhere on the table without the need to hit a specific ball first. The player must announce their intention to push out before the shot. If the player pushes out successfully, the other player can choose to accept the table as is or pass the shot back to the player who pushed out.

Making A Legal Shot

To make a legal shot in 9-ball pool, the following conditions must be met:

1. The cue ball must hit the lowest numbered ball on the table first.
2. The player can choose to pocket any ball on a legal shot.
3. After hitting the lowest numbered ball, either:
   • Pot a numbered ball into a pocket.
   • Make any ball contact a rail after the cue ball hits the lowest numbered ball.

Different Types of Fouls

Fouls in 9-ball pool result in a loss of turn and ball in hand for the incoming player. Common fouls include:

1. Pocketing the cue ball.
2. Failing to hit the lowest numbered ball first.
3. Not contacting a rail or a ball after the cue ball hits the lowest numbered ball.
4. Pocketing the 9-ball at any time, unless it is the winning shot.
5. Touching or moving any ball with anything other than the cue stick during a shot.

Three Consecutive Fouls

The “Three Consecutive Fouls” rule states that if a player commits three fouls in a row during three successive shots without making a legal shot in between, they will lose the game. These three fouls must occur within a single game. The warning about the consecutive fouls should be issued between the second and third fouls. A player’s inning starts when they are legally able to take a shot and ends after a shot in which they miss, foul, win, or when they foul between shots.

How To Win 9 Ball

The player who legally pockets the 9-ball wins the game. This can be achieved by either directly potting the 9-ball or making a combination shot that results in the 9-ball being pocketed. If the 9-ball is accidentally pocketed during a shot or combination that is not the winning shot, it is spotted back on the table, and the incoming player gets ball in hand.