The Long Green

Rules

8-Ball

8-Ball is one of the most widely played pool games in the world and is contested with all fifteen object balls plus the cue ball. After the break, players are assigned either solids (1–7) or stripes (9–15) and must pocket their entire group before legally attempting the 8-ball to win. Because the table remains crowded longer than in rotation games, strategy plays a central role — players must manage clusters, control key balls, and often balance offense with timely defense. Its accessibility makes it beginner-friendly, but at higher levels it becomes a sophisticated game of pattern control and tactical decision-making.

The Rack

The cue ball and object balls 1 through 15 are used.

15 Balls Used

The fifteen object-balls are racked as tightly as possible in a triangle, with the apex ball on the Foot Spot and the 8-ball as the first ball that is directly below the apex ball. One from each group of seven will be on the two lower corners of the triangle. The other balls are placed in the triangle without purposeful or intentional pattern.

8 Ball Rack

Break Shot

Lag to determine first break.

The following rules apply to the break shot:

  • The cue-ball begins in hand above the Head String.
  • No ball is called, and the cue-ball is not required to hit any particular object-ball first.
  • If the breaker pockets a ball and does not foul, he continues at the table, and the table remains open (see Open Table / Choosing Groups).
  • If no object-ball is pocketed, at least four object-balls must be driven to one or more rails, or the shot results in an illegal break, and the incoming player has the option of:
    • accepting the table in position
    • re-racking and breaking
    • re-racking and allowing the offending player to break again
  • Pocketing the 8-ball on a legal break shot is not a foul. If the 8-ball is pocketed, the breaker has the option of:
    • spotting the 8-ball and accepting the balls in position
    • re-breaking
  • If the breaker pockets the 8-ball on a foul shot, the opponent has the option of:
    • re-spotting the 8-ball and shooting with cue-ball in hand above the Head String
    • re-breaking.
  • If any object-ball is driven off the table on a break shot, it is a foul; such balls remain out of play (except the 8-ball which is spotted); and the incoming player has the option of:
    • accepting the table in position
    • taking cue-ball in hand above the Head String
  • If the breaker fouls in any manner not listed above, the following player has the option of:
    • accepting the table in position
    • taking cue-ball in hand above the Head String

Open Table / Choosing Groups

Before groups are determined, the table is said to be “open,” and before each shot, the shooter must call his intended ball. If the shooter legally pockets his called ball, the corresponding group becomes his, and his opponent is assigned the other group. If he fails to legally pocket his called ball, the table remains open and play passes to the other player. When the table is “open,” any object-ball may be struck first except the 8-ball. Hitting the 8-ball first when the table is open is a foul unless a group has been completely pocketed. In this situation, the shooter may temporarily claim that group, and thereby be shooting the 8-ball, possibly for a win.

Continuing Play

The shooter remains at the table as long as balls from the assigned group are pocketed legally, or the Rack is won by pocketing the 8-ball.

Shots Required to Be Called

On each shot except the break, shots are Standard Call Shot. Each called ball must be from the player's group until the group is cleared from the table, and then the 8-ball is the called ball. The shooter may play a Safety Shot in which case play passes to the opponent at the end of the shot and any object-ball pocketed on the safety remains pocketed.

Spotting Balls

If the 8-ball is pocketed or driven off the table on the break, it will be spotted or the balls will be re-racked. No other object-ball is ever spotted.

See Spotting Balls, Balls Settling, and Outside Interference for more information.

Losing the Rack

The shooter loses if he:

  • pockets the 8-ball and fouls,
  • pockets the 8-ball before his group is cleared,
  • pockets the 8-ball in an uncalled pocket, or
  • drives the 8-ball off the table.

These do not apply to the break shot.

Standard Fouls

If the shooter commits a foul, play passes to his opponent. The cue-ball is in hand, and the incoming player may place it anywhere on the playing surface. The following are standard fouls at 8-Ball:

See Foul and Cue-Ball in Hand for additional information.

Stalemate

If a stalemate occurs the original breaker of the rack will break again.

See Stalemate for additional information.