Because 8 Ball Pool is a widely recognized and relatively easy-to-learn billiard game, it’s the perfect choice for honing your skills and enjoying countless hours of fun on your new Poolbil™ billiard table.

Rules of 8 Ball Pool – Objective of the Game

The aim of 8 Ball Pool is to win more games than your opponent by legally sinking the 8 ball into a pocket after potting all your designated balls (either solid or striped).

Basic Gameplay 8 Ball

1. Players use a cue stick to hit the cue ball (white ball) into numbered object balls, aiming to pot them into pockets.
2. Balls are numbered 1-15:
◦ 1-7: Solid colors (spots)
◦ 9-15: Striped colors
3. Players are assigned solids or stripes based on the first ball legally potted after the break.
4. Once all of a player’s designated balls are potted, they must declare a pocket and sink the 8 ball to win.

Starting the Game

• The game begins with a break shot.
• For a break to be legal:
◦ At least four balls must hit the rails.
◦ The cue ball must not be potted.
• Any ball can be struck during the break, and potting a ball determines the player’s assignment (solids or stripes).

Player Turns

• A player’s turn continues as long as they legally pot their assigned balls.
• If a player fails to pot a ball or commits a foul, their turn ends, and the opponent gains control of the table.

Prohibited Actions (Fouls)

• Touching the balls with anything other than the cue.
• Potting the cue ball.
• Striking or potting the opponent’s balls before your own.
• Failing to hit the object ball.
• Knocking balls off the table.
• Double-hitting the cue ball in a single stroke.
• Performing a push shot.
Penalty for Fouls: The opponent is awarded the cue ball in hand and can place it anywhere on the table for their next shot.

Winning the Game

• To win, a player must:
1. Pot all their designated balls.
2. Declare a pocket and legally pot the 8 ball into the declared pocket.
• Automatic Loss Conditions:
1. Sinking the 8 ball before clearing your designated balls.
2. Sinking the cue ball and 8 ball simultaneously.
3. Sinking the 8 ball in the wrong pocket.
4. Knocking the 8 ball off the table.

Additional Rules and Variations

• Call Shot: In some variations or tournaments, players must declare the ball and pocket for each shot. Potting the correct ball in the wrong pocket is a foul.
• Blackball Variant: A British version using red, yellow, and black balls on a smaller table. Skill shots are allowed, and fouls award the opponent two shots instead of ball-in-hand.

Match Format

Competitive matches are typically played as a series, such as the best of 10, 15, or 20 games. The first player to win the majority of games wins the match.

8 Ball Pool is a popular game worldwide, and the rules become intuitive after playing or watching a few matches. Enjoy playing with Poolbil™!

Watch a video with the game rules.