Comprehensive Rules – Pool 9

1. Introduction

Pool 9 is a two-player billiards game played on a table with six pockets using 9 numbered balls and a cue ball. The balls are numbered from 1 to 9. The cue ball is white and is unnumbered. Players pocket the nine different balls by striking a cue ball with a cue stick.

2. Game Objective

The objective of Pool 9 is to pocket the 9-ball. The player that legally pockets the 9-ball first wins. The nine ball is yellow and is distinguished from the 1-ball by its stripe. Pool 9 is unique from other billiards games in that a player needs to pocket only a single ball, the 9-ball, in order to win the game. The 9-ball can be pocketed at any time during the game.

3. Players Alternate Turns

Like other billiards games, players alternate turns. After a player comes to the table, he is allowed to stay at the table and continue shooting until he A) misses a shot or B) commits a foul. (See the Foul section for fouls)

4. Game Play

The main rule to remember about Pool 9 is that, for every shot, the cue ball must first contact the lowest numbered ball on the table before contacting any other balls, otherwise it is a foul. The lowest numbered ball on the table does not have to be pocketed, only contacted first. Players can pocket any ball at any time, as long as the lowest numbered ball on the table is the first ball to be contacted by the cue ball. If during a player’s turn, no ball is pocketed and no foul is committed, the player simply loses his turn. If during a player’s turn, no ball is pocketed and a foul is committed, the player loses his turn and the opposing player may place the cue ball anywhere on the table. (See the Foul section for fouls and penalties.) If during a player’s turn, he pockets any ball(s) and does not commit a foul, he stays at the table and continues shooting. At no point during the game do players have to call any shots.

5. The break

The break is the very first shot taken at the table, when the white cue ball contacts the other balls that are in the rack. For the break, the cue ball must contact the 1-ball first. Since the objective of the game is to pocket the 9-ball, if the 9-ball is pocketed during a legal break, then the player that broke the rack automatically wins. But since the 9-ball is placed in the center of the rack, this is quite rare. If the player that breaks does not pocket any ball on the break, it becomes the other player’s turn. If the player that breaks the rack pockets one or more balls on the break (other than the cue ball) he may continue shooting. Regardless of which ball the player pocketed on the break, the player’s next shot must first contact the lowest numbered ball on the table, otherwise it is a foul. For example: Player breaks the rack and pockets the 5-ball in the process. Because he pocketed a ball, the player is allowed to continue playing. Because the 1-ball is still the lowest numbered ball on the table, for the player’s next shot, the cue ball must first contact the 1-ball.

6. Fouls

• The break is the very first shot taken at the table, when the white cue ball contacts the other balls that are in the rack. For the break, the cue ball must contact the 1-ball first, and at least four balls must contact the rails. The rails are the sides of the pool table.
• A scratch is when the cue ball is pocketed. The player that scratches loses his turn. The opposing player may then place the cue ball anywhere on the table.
• If the first ball contacted by the cue ball is not the lowest numbered ball on the table, a foul is committed. The player loses his turn. The opposing player comes to the table and may place the cue ball anywhere on the table. Even if, during a player’s turn, the lowest numbered ball on the table is pocketed, if that ball was not the first ball contacted by the cue ball during the shot, it is a foul.
• For every shot, either the cue ball or at least one other ball must contact a cushion. Otherwise it is a foul. The one exception to this rule is when a ball is legally pocketed with no foul occurring. In that case, no ball needs to contact any cushion.
• For every shot, the cue ball must contact at least one other ball. Otherwise it is a foul.
• If a player commits any three fouls in a row, he loses the game.
• If a player commits several fouls on one shot, they are counted as one foul.

7. Sample Game:

• Player 1 breaks the rack and pockets the 6-ball in the process.
• Player 1 continues at the table and hits the 1-ball into the 3-ball, pocketing the 3-ball.
• Player 1 hits the 1-ball into the 7-ball but is unable to pocket any balls. He now loses his turn.
• Player 2 comes to the table. The lowest numbered ball on the table is still the 1-ball. Player 2 hits the 1-ball into the 8-ball pocketing the 8-ball.
• Player 2 hits the 4-ball with the cue ball, pocketing the 4-ball. Because the 4-ball was not the lowest numbered ball on the table to be first contacted, Player 2 has committed a foul. He loses his turn and Player 1 may place the cue ball anywhere on the table.
• Player 1 comes to the table. Player 1 places the cue ball where he wishes. The lowest numbered ball on the table is still the 1-ball.
• Player 1 hits the 1-ball into the 9-ball, pocketing the 9-ball. Player 1 wins the game.