9-Ball Rules
Nine ball is played with nine object balls numbered one through nine and the cue ball. The balls are played in ascending numerical order. The player legally pocketing the nine ball wins the rack.
Determining the Break: The player who wins the lag chooses who will break the first rack. The standard format is to alternate the break.
Nine Ball Rack: The object balls are racked as tightly as possible in a diamond shape, with the one ball at the apex of the diamond and on the foot spot and the nine ball in the middle of the diamond. The other balls will be placed in the diamond without purposeful or intentional pattern.
Legal Break Shot: The following rules apply to the break shot: (a) the cue ball begins in hand behind the head string; and
(b) if no ball is pocketed, at least four object balls must be driven to one or more rails, or the shot is a foul.
Second Shot of the Rack – Push Out: If no foul is committed on the break shot, the shooter may choose to play a “push out” as his shot. He must make his intention known to the opponent. If no foul is committed on a push out, the other player chooses who will shoot next.
Continuing Play: If the shooter legally pockets any ball on a shot (except a push out), he continues at the table for the next shot. If he legally pockets the nine ball on any shot (except a push out), he wins the rack. If the shooter fails to pocket a ball or fouls, play passes to the other player, and if no foul was committed, the incoming player must play the cue ball from the position left by the other player.
Spotting Balls: If the nine ball is pocketed on a foul or push out, or driven off the table, it is spotted. No other object ball is ever spotted.
Standard Fouls: If the shooter commits a standard 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 nine ball: (a) cue ball scratch or off the table (b) wrong ball first (c) no rail after contact (d) no foot on the floor (e) ball driven off the table (f) double hit (g) push through (h) shooting while balls are still moving (i) bad cue ball placement (j) cue stick on table (k) playing out of turn (l) slow play.
Serious Fouls: For three consecutive fouls, the penalty is loss of the current rack. For unsportsmanlike conduct, the referee will choose a penalty appropriate given the nature of the offense.
Stalemate: If the tournament director observes that no progress is being made towards a conclusion, he will announce his decision, and each player will have three more turns at the table. Then, if the tournament director determines that there is still no progress, he will declare a stalemate. If both players agree, they may accept the stalemate without taking their three additional turns. If a stalemate occurs the original breaker of the rack will break again.
Any circumstance not addressed in these rules will be decided by the tournament director.
Determining the Break: The player who wins the lag chooses who will break the first rack. The standard format is to alternate the break.
Nine Ball Rack: The object balls are racked as tightly as possible in a diamond shape, with the one ball at the apex of the diamond and on the foot spot and the nine ball in the middle of the diamond. The other balls will be placed in the diamond without purposeful or intentional pattern.
Legal Break Shot: The following rules apply to the break shot: (a) the cue ball begins in hand behind the head string; and
(b) if no ball is pocketed, at least four object balls must be driven to one or more rails, or the shot is a foul.
Second Shot of the Rack – Push Out: If no foul is committed on the break shot, the shooter may choose to play a “push out” as his shot. He must make his intention known to the opponent. If no foul is committed on a push out, the other player chooses who will shoot next.
Continuing Play: If the shooter legally pockets any ball on a shot (except a push out), he continues at the table for the next shot. If he legally pockets the nine ball on any shot (except a push out), he wins the rack. If the shooter fails to pocket a ball or fouls, play passes to the other player, and if no foul was committed, the incoming player must play the cue ball from the position left by the other player.
Spotting Balls: If the nine ball is pocketed on a foul or push out, or driven off the table, it is spotted. No other object ball is ever spotted.
Standard Fouls: If the shooter commits a standard 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 nine ball: (a) cue ball scratch or off the table (b) wrong ball first (c) no rail after contact (d) no foot on the floor (e) ball driven off the table (f) double hit (g) push through (h) shooting while balls are still moving (i) bad cue ball placement (j) cue stick on table (k) playing out of turn (l) slow play.
Serious Fouls: For three consecutive fouls, the penalty is loss of the current rack. For unsportsmanlike conduct, the referee will choose a penalty appropriate given the nature of the offense.
Stalemate: If the tournament director observes that no progress is being made towards a conclusion, he will announce his decision, and each player will have three more turns at the table. Then, if the tournament director determines that there is still no progress, he will declare a stalemate. If both players agree, they may accept the stalemate without taking their three additional turns. If a stalemate occurs the original breaker of the rack will break again.
Any circumstance not addressed in these rules will be decided by the tournament director.