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HOW TO PLAY
AMERICAN RULES
Objective
One player must pocket spots (1-7), the other stripes (9-15). To
win you must pocket all the balls in your group, followed by the
black (8 ball). The balls are racked in a triangle with the 8-ball
in the centre, the first ball of the rack on the spot, then a stripe
ball in one corner and a spot in the other. All balls must be touching.
Commencement
You can break with the white ball positioned anywhere behind the
head spot. To execute a legal break you must either:
1. Pocket a ball
2. Drive at least four numbered balls to the cushion
If the white goes down on the break, balls remain pocketed and the
table is open. The incoming player shoots the ball from behind the
head spot and may not hit any ball behind the line of the head spot.
If the black goes down on the break you may ask for a re-rack or
have the black placed on the spot and continue.
Spots or Stripes?
The choice of stripes or spots is not determined on the break. Even
if a ball goes down the table remains open. It is only determined
when you legally pocket an object ball after the break shot. Hoever
most people play that you shoot whatever group you pot on the break
and only get the choice if you pot one of each.
Calling Shots & Pockets
You must call your shots, naming both the object ball and the intended
pocket. However obvious balls and pockets do not need to be called,
nor do any details (e.g. doubles, kisses etc.). Any balls pocketed
on a foul remain pocketed, regardless of whose balls they are. If
the black goes down when it is not the legal object ball the game
is lost.
Fouls
If you foul, even if the white ball remains on the table, your opponent
gets cue ball in hand to place anywhere on the table. This rule
prevents intentional fouls, though it is generally ignored in the
US. In most 'house rules' the white is played from where it lies
and there is therefore no actual penalty for a foul stroke.
Black 8 Ball
When playing the black, a foul does not result in loss of game unless
the white goes down as well.
ENGLISH RULES
Objective
One player must pocket spots (1-7) and the other stripes (9-15).
To win you must pocket all the balls in your group, followed by
the black (8 ball). The balls are racked with the black on the spot.
Commencement
To execute a legal break you must:
1. Pocket a ball
2. Drive at least two numbered balls to the cushion
After a foul break the opposing player re-racks, and has a free
shot after the break. If the black goes down on the break the game
is restarted by the same player with no penalty.
Spots or Stripes?
If you legally pocket a ball on the break that denotes your group,
unless you pocket one ball from each in which case you must nominate
spots or stripes before your next shot.
Combination Shots
Combination shots are allowed provided that you hit one of your
own balls first.
Pocketing Opponents Balls
Contrary to popular belief it is legal to pocket one of your opponents
balls so long as you hit one of your own balls first and one of
them is pocketed on the same shot.
Fouls
If your opponent fouls you get a free shot, played from wherever
the white ball lies or from the D if the white is no longer on the
table. You can play any ball, including your opponent's balls and
the black.
Carrying Shots
Following a single free shot you continue as normal. In other words,
two shots do not carry.
Black 8 Ball
You lose the game if you pot the black before you have potted all
the balls in your group, and also if you foul when potting the black.
You do not lose the game for a foul on the black if the black is
not pocketed.
WHERE TO PLAY
 County
Hall - London
NAMCO
Station - Manchester
NAMCO
Station - Luton
The
Q Lounge - Nottingham
NAMCO
Station - Tamworth
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