8 Ball Pool Rules: How to Play, Fouls and How to Win

What are the 8 ball pool rules? One player shoots the solids (1–7), the other the stripes (9–15). You must pocket all of your group, then legally pocket the 8 ball in a called pocket to win. Pocket the 8 early or on a foul and you lose the game.

Below are the rules step by step, from the rack and break to fouls and how the game is won or lost, based on the UPA 8-ball rules. House and league rules can differ, so check yours. Playing in a league? See our skull billiard shirts.

The object of 8 ball

The UPA rules say: "The object of 8-ball is to win by legally pocketing the 8-ball." The game uses a cue ball and fifteen object balls. Balls 1–7 are solids ("low balls") and 9–15 are stripes ("high balls"). "The player who pockets their entire group and then legally pockets the 8-ball wins the game." (UPA 8-Ball Rules)

8 ball pool rules step by step

1. Rack. The front ball sits on the foot spot, the 8 ball in the center and the two back corners hold one solid and one stripe. Full guide: how to rack pool balls.
2. Break. From behind the head string, the breaker must "either pocket a number ball or drive at least four (4) number balls to one or more rails." Tips: how to break in pool.
3. Open table. After the break "the table is always open." Groups are set when a player legally pockets a called ball.
4. Call your shots. Obvious shots need no call, but bank, kick and combination shots "must be called to their designated pocket."
5. Keep shooting until you miss, foul or win.
6. Shoot the 8. When your group is cleared, the 8 ball becomes your object ball. Call it and sink it to win.

Fouls in 8 ball

Under the UPA rules, most fouls give your opponent ball in hand: they can place the cue ball anywhere on the table.

The UPA notes that "scratching on the 8-ball is not a loss of game as long as the 8-ball was not pocketed."

The 8 ball on the break

"Legally pocketing the 8-ball on the break wins the game for the breaker." But "pocketing the 8-ball on the break with a simultaneous foul results in a loss of game."

How you lose in 8 ball

• Your opponent legally pockets the 8 ball.
• You pocket the 8 on the break while fouling.
• You knock the 8 ball off the table.
• You concede the game.

Many casual and league rule sets also call it a loss if you pocket the 8 before clearing your group or scratch while sinking the 8, so agree on house rules before you start. Good manners count too: pool league etiquette.

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FAQ

What are the basic rules of pool 8 ball?

Make a legal break, claim solids or stripes, pocket your whole group and then legally pocket the 8 ball in a called pocket.

Can you sink the 8 ball first in pool?

Under UPA rules, legally pocketing the 8 on the break wins the game, unless you also foul. After the break, the 8 is only your target once your group is cleared.

What happens if you scratch on the 8 ball?

Under UPA rules, a scratch while shooting the 8 is a ball in hand foul, not a loss, as long as the 8 ball was not pocketed.

What are the fouls in pool?

Common fouls include scratching, hitting the wrong ball first, no rail after contact, a ball off the table and touching balls illegally.