The setup
15 numbered balls are racked in a triangle with the 8-ball in the middle. The white cue ball is the only ball you hit with the cue.
The break and choosing a group
- One player breaks the rack. If a ball goes in, they keep shooting.
- In our game, the first ball pocketed after the break decides who is solids and who is stripes.
Taking turns
- Hit the cue ball so it strikes one of your own balls first.
- Pocket one of your balls and you shoot again.
- Miss, and it's your opponent's turn.
Fouls
- Pocketing the cue ball (a scratch), hitting an opponent's ball first, or hitting nothing are fouls.
- After a foul your opponent gets ball in hand: they can place the cue ball anywhere on the table.
Winning and losing on the 8-ball
- Once all seven of your balls are down, sink the 8-ball to win.
- Pocketing the 8-ball before your group is cleared loses the game.
- Scratching (pocketing the cue ball) on the shot that sinks the 8-ball also loses.
Tips
- Thin cuts need firm power. Slow shots on thin angles often roll off line.
- Plan one ball ahead. Leave the cue ball where your next shot is easy.
- If you have no good shot, play safe: leave the cue ball where your opponent has no easy pot.
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