Rules

| Game Rules

3-Ball | 8-Ball | 9-Ball | 14+1 | Straight Pool | American | Pyramid | Rotation

* The breaking player is selected at random by the CPU.

3-Ball Rules

This game is played with a diamond shaped rack of three balls numbered consecutively from one through nine.

Object
After the break shot the object balls are struck in consecutive order, the lowest number first, until the last ball is pocketed, which ends the game. The lowest number ball on the table must be hit first. Failure to do so results in ball-in-hand for your opponent An illegally pocketed ball stays down, unless it is the last ball.

Winning the Game
Legally pocketing the last ball.

Combinations
You can hit and pocket balls anytime; as long as you hit the lowest number ball on the table ball first.

Fouls
A foul means to pocket the cue ball, to not strike a cushion after contacting an object ball, or to jump the cue ball off the table. The one exception to this rule is on the break shot. If a foul is committed on the break shot then the cue ball is in hand behind the kitchen line.

Penalty for Fouls/Scratching
If a foul is committed, the cue ball is ball in hand, meaning the opponent is allowed to place the cue ball wherever desired.

Balls Jumped off the Table
Balls jumped off the table are considered scratched and are spotted.

See 3-Ball Strategy

9-Ball Rules

This game is played with a diamond shaped rack of nine balls numbered consecutively from one through nine.

Object
After the break shot the object balls are struck in consecutive order, the lowest number first, until the 9-ball is pocketed, which ends the game. The lowest number ball on the table must be hit first. Failure to do so results in ball-in-hand for your opponent An illegally pocketed 9-ball is spotted, all others stay down.

Winning the Game
Legally pocketing the 9-ball.

Combinations
You can hit and pocket the 9-ball anytime; as long as you hit the lowest number ball on the table ball first.

Fouls
A foul means to pocket the cue ball, to not strike a cushion after contacting an object ball, or to jump the cue ball off the table. The one exception to this rule is on the break shot. If a foul is committed on the break shot then the cue ball is in hand behind the kitchen line.

Penalty For Fouls/Scratching
If a foul is committed, the cue ball is ball in hand, meaning the opponent is allowed to place the cue ball wherever desired.

Balls Jumped off the Table
Balls jumped off the table are considered scratched and are spotted.

See 9-Ball Strategy

8-ball Rules

This game is played with a full rack of fifteen balls. If only one type of ball is pocketed during a break, (stripes or solids) the breaker is assigned that ball type. If both types are made, the breaker shoots again and assignment occurs when one type of ball is pocketed. If no balls are made it’s the next player’s turn to shoot. If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break it is spotted on the foot spot.

Object
Pocket all seven stripes or solid balls, then pocket the 8-ball. Stripes and solids are assigned to a player by pocketing stripes or solid balls. After assignment, you must pocket All your balls before shooting the 8-ball. A player that pockets the 8-ball before pocketing his assigned balls loses game.

Winning the Game
You must pocket all your balls and then the 8-ball in the pocket that you called. 8-ball sunk on the break wins game, except if the cue ball is scratches which causes a loss of game.

Call pocket
You are required to call the intended pocket before pocketing the 8-ball. The CPU is not required to call pocket.

Combinations
Before assignment is made, you can hit any ball first; otherwise you hit your ball type first. Your opponent’s balls or the 8-ball may be used in a combination shot as long as you hit your ball type first.

Fouls
The only foul is a scratch. If the 8-ball is pocket on the break it is spotted on the foot spot.

Penalty for Scratching
Opposing player gets cue ball in hand. Player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table (does not have to be behind the headstring except on opening break). If you scratch while pocketing more than one balls of your group, then those balls are spotted at the break end of table one behind the other.

Balls Jumped off the Table
Balls jumped off the table are considered scratched and are spotted.

Losing the Game
You lose the game if: you make the 8-ball while any of your balls are left on the table; you scratch when shooting at the 8-ball even if you make the 8-ball, you make the 8-ball on the break shot and also scratch.

See 8-Ball Strategy

Straight Pool Rules

This game is played with a full rack of fifteen balls for the first game. When only one ball is left the next game is racked with the remaining fourteen balls. If the fifteenth ball interferes with the rack it is spotted on the break end of the table. If the cue ball interferes with the rack, then the breaker has ball-in-hand behind the kitchen line.

Object
To reach a point score agreed to at the start of the match, such as 25, 50, 100. All legally pocketed balls are worth 1 point. A turn continues until the player misses, commits a foul, or wins the game.

Winning the Game
The player that reaches the agreed point score first.

Combinations
You can hit and pocket any ball in any combination.

Fouls
A foul on the break receives –2 points, any foul after the break receives –1 point. Three consecutive fouls receives -15 points. A foul results in the incoming player shooting from the current position, unless the foul was a scratch or jumped off table, which gives ball-in-hand behind the kitchen line to the incoming player. On the break the cue ball and two balls must hit a cushion.

Penalty for Scratching
Ball-in-hand behind the kitchen line is given to your opponent. In this case the cue ball must cross the kitchen line before striking another ball or lose a turn.

Balls Jumped off the Table
Balls jumped off the table are considered scratched and are spotted.

See Straight Pool Strategy

14+1 Rules

14+1 is a nomination game. The player must call numbered ball and a pocket. The player is awarded one point for every correctly nominated and pocketed ball on a legal stroke, and is allowed to continue his turn until he either fails to pocket a nominated ball or commits a foul. The player can pocket the first 14 balls, but before he can continue his turn by shooting at the 15th (and last remaining) ball on the table, the 14 pocketed balls are racked as before, except with the apex space vacant. The player then attempts to pocket the 15th ball in a manner so that the racked balls are disturbed and he can continue his run.

Object
The player who scores the pre-determined point total for a game (such as 25, 100, usually 150 in major tournament play or any agreed) prior to his opponent, wins the game.

Balls & Rack
Standard set of object balls numbered 1-15, plus cue ball.
Standard triangle rack with the apex ball on the foot spot, 1-ball on the racker's right corner, 5-ball on left corner. Other balls are placed at random and must touch their neighbors.

Rules
A legally pocketed ball entitles a shooter to continue at the table until he fails to legally pocket a called ball on a shot. A player may shoot any ball he chooses, but before he shoots, must designate the called ball and called pocket. He need not indicate any detail such as kisses, caroms, combinations, or cushions (all of which are legal). Any additionally pocketed ball(s) on a legal stroke is scored as one point for the shooter. On all shots, a player must cause the cue ball to contact an object ball and then (1) pocket a numbered ball, or (2) cause the cue ball or any numbered ball to contact a cushion. Failure to meet these requirements is a foul. A turn continues until the player misses, commits a foul, or wins the game.

Call Pocket
Players must call a ball and pocket, but any shot can be taken.

Combinations
You can hit and pocket any ball in any combination; as long as you call the balls and pockets.

Fouls
A foul occurs if:
1) cue ball is pocketed (scratch) or jumped off of the table
2) cue ball doesn't touch ordered object ball
3) after 2) either cue or target ball doesn't touch cushion

A foul on the break receives –2 points, scratch on break -1 points, and any foul after the break receives –1 point. Three consecutive fouls receives -15 points and resets foul counter. A foul results in the incoming player shooting from the current position, unless the foul was a scratch or jumped off table, which gives ball-in-hand behind the kitchen line to the incoming player. On the break the cue ball and two balls must hit a cushion.

Penalty for Scratching
Ball-in-hand behind the kitchen line is given to your opponent. In this case the cue ball must cross the kitchen line before striking another ball or lose a turn.

Special cases
Balls jumped off the table are considered scratched and are spotted. Illegally pocketed balls are spotted without penalty.

See Straight Pool Strategy

American Rules
This game is played with a sixteen balls without numbers. Unlike other billiard games the key feature of American is that there is no permanent CUE ball!
Any ball on the table can be selected as cue and, moreover, any pocketed ball is allowed!
Thus you can make cue ball as well as any amount of other balls within a shot.
Object
To be the first player who legally pocketed eight balls.
Players
Two individuals, or two teams.
The Rack
Standard triandgle rack. As numbers are unneeded, balls can be in any order.
Opening break
The break shot is made from ball-in-hand or from the kitchen. All balls, pocketed during break are legal.
Playing
You needn't make an orders. Any ball on the table can be selected as cue and you can choose any target ball to strike. If shot is legal, then all and any balls pocketed are scored, including cue ball.
Fouls
A foul occurs if:
- cue ball doesn't touch any other ball
- cue ball jumped off the table
Penalty
All balls jumped off the table are spotted along the short far border. All balls pocketed during foul are considered illegal and are spotted as well. Each foul is punished by one ball, that player should spot from his stock. If player has no pocketed balls at this time, then ball will be taken after 1st legally pocketed ball.

Pyramid Rules
This game is played with a full rack of fifteen balls and cue ball. Target balls have numbers from 1 to 15, cue ball has no number and usually should be clearly distinguished from others.
Object
To be the first player, who legally gathered 71 points.
Racking
Balls should have special order in triangle:
1-st line - 4;
2-nd line - 5, 6:
3-rd line - 7, 15, 8;
4-th line - 9, 14, 13, 10;
5-th line - 2, 1, 12, 11, 3.
Scoring
For each correctly pocketed ball player adds its number to his score. Ball #1, called an ace, has cost of 11, not 1. Thus total amount of points for all balls is 130. If situation on the table is that there is the only target ball together with cue ball, then 10 points is added to the cost of this last ball.
Opening Break
The break shot is "free", no call pocket required. If anything is made on the break it spots and the breaker is still at the table. If nothing is made the breaker's inning is over.
Rules Of Play
All shots, except opening break, are call ball-and-pocket. A player continues with his inning so long as he makes legal shots. ILLEGALLY POCKETED BALLS are spotted. If a foul was committed the player must spot an additional ball from those he previously sank, or owe the table a ball (to be spotted immediately after the end of the inning in which he is first able to pay the table).
Jumped Object Balls are spotted without penalty.
Cue Ball After Jump Or Scratch is put in play from the kitchen. The cue ball coming to rest off of the table bed is considered a foul.
Fouls
A foul occurs if:
- cue ball is pocketed or jumped off of the table
- cue ball doesn't touch ordered object ball
- cue ball doesn't touch any ball
Penalty
For each foul amount of 5 points is subtracted from trespasser's score, and concurrently 5 points are added to the score of his opponent.

Rotation Rules

Type of Game
Rotation requires that the cue ball must contact the lowest-numbered object ball first on each shot; any ball pocketed on a legal shot counts. It is not necessary to call balls or pockets. It is a formidable test of a player's imagination, shot-making and repertoire. Few games require more exacting position play.

Players
2 or more.

Balls Used
Standard set of object balls numbered 1-15, plus cue ball.

The Rack
Standard triangle rack with the 1-ball on the foot spot, 2-ball on the right rear corner, 3-ball on the left rear corner, and 15-ball in the center. All other balls placed entirely at random.

Object of the Game
To score balls of greater total point value than opponent(s).

Scoring
Each legally pocketed object ball has a point value equal to the number. When a player's point total mathematically eliminates an opponent(s) from outscoring him (61 points in a two-player game), the game is ended. If two or more players tie for highest point total after all fifteen object balls have been pocketed, the tied player who legally pocketed the last object ball is credited with an extra tie-breaking point and wins the game.

Opening Break
The starting player must (1) make an open break, or (2) legally pocket an object ball. If he fails to do so, incoming player has choice of (1) cue ball in hand behind the head string and object balls in position, or (2) having the balls reracked and shooting the opening break shot himself.

Rules of Play

> 1. A legal shot requires that the cue ball's first contact with a ball is with the lowest-numbered ball on the table. A player must then (1) pocket a numbered ball, or (2) cause the cue ball or any object ball to contact a cushion. Failure is a foul.

> 2. A legally pocketed ball entitles a shooter to remain at the table until he fails to pocket a ball on a legal shot. If necessary, a player is permitted only two legal safeties played by merely hitting that object ball (only) to the near cushion.

> 3. When a player legally pockets a ball, he must shoot again. He may not cal a safety and spot a legally pocketed ball.

> 4. When a player has the cue ball in hand behind the head string (as after a scratch) and the legal object ball is also behind the head string, the object ball may be spotted on the foot spot at his request.

> 5. It is a loss of game if a player commits three successive fouls. In more than a two player game, balls pocketed by disqualified players remain off the table.

Illegally Pocketed Object Balls
All spotted.

Object Balls Jumped off the Table
All spotted. The stroke is a foul, and the penalty for fouls is followed.

Cue Ball After Jumping off the Table or Scratch
Incoming player has cue ball in hand behind the head string.

Penalty for Fouls
No point penalty. Incoming player has the option of (1) accepting the balls in position, or (2) requiring offending player to shoot again with the table in position (if cue ball is in hand behind the string it is so for either player). Rule of Play 5 takes precedence in the case of a third consecutive foul.