A Beginner’s Guide for Playing and Winning 9-Ball Pool

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9-Ball rules and strategies so you can learn to play like a pro
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If you want a different variation of pool that’s a bit quicker to play, 9-Ball is an exciting game to try out. During a round, players take turns shooting at the lowest-numbered ball on the table until someone hits the 9-ball into a pocket. Keep reading, and we’ll cover the basic rules and strategies to set up a game of 9-Ball and start playing!

Things You Should Know

  • Aim to hit the lowest-numbered ball first when you’re making a shot. It’s okay to pocket the balls out of order.
  • Keep making shots until you get a foul or fail to pocket a ball on your turn.
  • Win the game if you hit the 9-ball into a pocket during any legal shot.
Section 1 of 4:

Objective

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  1. For each shot, players must shoot the cue ball at the lowest-numbered ball still on the table, but they don’t have to be pocketed (or sunk) in numerical order. Players keep taking their turn until they miss or earn a foul. Whoever sinks the 9-ball during a legal shot wins the game! [1]
    • Usually, 9-Ball pool is a 1-on-1 game, but you can split into teams and alternate who shoots the ball if you have more people.
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Section 2 of 4:

Racking and Breaking the Balls

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  1. “Lagging” is when players compete to hit a ball closest to the head rail at the end of the table. Both players place a ball just behind the head string, which is the line that passes between the second set of diamonds on the side rails and the spot on the table. [2]
    • Players stand behind the head rail and hit the ball at the same time with their cue so it bounces off of the foot rail at the far end of the table.
    • Whoever hits the ball closest to the head rail gets to break the rack to start the game.
    • If your ball goes into a pocket, hits a side rail, or doesn’t reach the foot rail, you lose the lag.
    • If the balls touch each other during the lag, reset them and try again.
    • Flip a coin if you’d rather randomly choose a first player.
  2. Arrange the balls numbered 1–9 inside of a diamond rack so the 9-ball is in the center and the 1-ball is at the top point. The other balls can go in any order. [3]
    • Move the rack so the 1-ball is on top of the table’s foot spot on the end of the table opposite from the head spot.
    • In some variations or tournaments, you may be required to put the 2-ball on the opposite side of the diamond as the 1-ball.
    • If you don’t have a diamond rack, you can still use a standard triangular rack. Just tightly pack the balls into a diamond shape.
  3. The first player can set the white cue ball anywhere behind the head string for their first shot. Using their cue, the player must shoot the cue ball so it hits the 1-ball first during the break. [4]
    • A break is only considered legal if it pockets a ball or causes 4 balls to hit the rails. If that doesn’t happen, re-rack the balls and try again.
    • If the cue ball goes into a pocket, then re-rack the balls and have the other player break instead.
    • If a player pockets the 9-ball on the break, they immediately win the game.
  4. Right after a legal break, the player can choose to “push-out”, meaning they can shoot the cue ball into a new position without having to hit it into another ball or rail. After the push-out, the other player chooses whether to play from the new position or pass their turn. [5]
    • When the player pockets a ball on the break, they get the choice to push-out. If they did not pocket a ball, the next player gets the option to push-out instead.
    • If a ball gets pocketed during a push-out, it stays out for the rest of the game. The only exception is if the 9-ball is pocketed, it gets “spotted” back onto the foot spot.
    • The push-out rule is optional in friendly games, but it gives the players a little more control over the starting position following the break.
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Section 3 of 4:

Playing the Game

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  1. Every time you take a shot, the cue ball must hit the lowest-numbered ball still on the table before it contacts any other ball. After the shot, at least one ball must hit a rail or go into a pocket for it to be legal. [6]
    • You’re allowed to make a combination shot where you hit the lowest-numbered ball into another ball to pocket it. For example, you may hit the cue ball into the 1-ball so it strikes the 7-ball into a pocket.
    • If the 9-ball gets knocked off the table, place it back on the foot spot, or as close to the foot spot as possible. Any other numbered balls that leave the table illegally stay out of play.
  2. The balls don’t have to be pocketed in numerical order as long as you hit the lowest-numbered ball. As long as you sink at least 1 ball during your turn, you can immediately line up another shot. [7]
    • If you pocketed a higher-numbered ball, you still must hit the lowest-numbered ball on your next shot.
  3. If you aren’t able to pocket a ball, the other player takes their turn playing the cue ball from its current spot. If you make an illegal move and earn a foul, the other player can place the cue ball wherever they want on the table. Common fouls in a game of 9-ball pool include: [8]
    • Hitting the cue ball into a pocket (“scratching”) or off of the table
    • Hitting the wrong ball first
    • Hitting the rail after making contact with a ball
    • Jumping the cue ball over another ball
    • Touching a moving ball
    • Not hitting any balls during your shot
    • In many tournament games, you immediately lose the match if you get 3 fouls in a row. [9]
    • Accidentally touching a non-moving ball is not a foul, but the other players get to decide whether to leave it in the new position or move it back.
  4. At any point during the game, if a player pockets the 9-ball and the shot is legal, then they win the game immediately. Because games of 9-ball can end pretty quickly, try playing a best of 3, 5, or 7 for a more competitive match. [10]
    • If the 9-ball is pocketed during a foul, "spot" it back to the foot spot, or as close behind the foot spot as possible.
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Section 4 of 4:

9-Ball Strategy

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  1. The wing balls are the 2 balls on the side points of the diamond. If you’re breaking, set the cue ball a few inches out from a side rail. Try hitting the closest side of the 1-ball on your shot to send the wing ball toward the corner pocket. [11]
    • If the wing ball went in the pocket, this break usually makes it easy to line up your next shot at the 1-ball.
  2. Before you make your shot, look for the spot on the ball that’s directly opposite from the pocket. Imagine the cue ball lined up behind the target ball so it touches the contact point and aim for that position. [12]
    • This method is sometimes called the “ghost ball” technique, and it helps ensure you get the correct angle for your shot.
  3. As you’re planning out your shots, look at the positions for the balls with the next lowest number. Plan out what pockets to shoot toward and will give you the best chance of sinking a ball on your turn. [13]
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  • Question
    If I use the 1 ball to get the 9 ball into the pocket, do I win?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you win as long as the 9 ball is pocketed and your first strike was on the 1 ball. It doesn't matter how many balls you pocket along with 9.
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  • Question
    What is a push-out?
    Community Answer
    It is a shot that balances both players' likelihoods of winning a game. If the breaking player makes a ball but doesn't have position for the lowest-numbered ball, or if the breaking player doesn't make any balls and the incoming player doesn't have position for the lowest-numbered ball, the player may elect to play a push-out shot by hitting the cue ball anywhere on the table. Contacting the lowest-numbered ball or a rail is optional, but standard cue ball rules (no scooping or double hits) still apply. The incoming player after the push-out shot has the option to either play the next shot or pass it back to the opponent.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    Can I use another ball to sink my objective ball in 9 ball pool?
    Community Answer
    Yes. As long as the cue ball touches the lowest number ball on the table first, it does not matter which ball you sink.
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      Tips

      • If you're paying for the balls, save money by using higher-numbered balls for subsequent games. For example, if balls 1, 5, and 9 are sunk in the first game, rerack the second game using the 10-, 11-, and 12-balls as the new highest-numbered balls. Whoever sinks the 12 ball wins that game. [14]
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      • Some pool associations run 9-ball tournaments based on number of points scored, instead of the number of games won. Check with the tournament organizer to find out how points are calculated based on your handicap and the number of balls pocketed.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://ss.apaleagues.com/Uploads/ss/9Ball%20Game%20Rules.pdf
      2. ↑ https://poolplayers.com/team-manual/otm-lagging/
      3. ↑ https://upatour.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/9-Ball-Rules-2021.pdf
      4. ↑ https://media.poolplayers.com/TMRB/Rules-Booklet-English.pdf
      5. ↑ https://thebrassringmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/BCA9BallRules.pdf
      6. ↑ https://media.poolplayers.com/TMRB/Rules-Booklet-English.pdf
      7. ↑ https://ss.apaleagues.com/Uploads/ss/9Ball%20Game%20Rules.pdf
      8. ↑ https://poolplayers.com/8-9-ball-Rules.pdf
      9. ↑ https://upatour.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/9-Ball-Rules-2021.pdf
      1. ↑ https://media.poolplayers.com/TMRB/Rules-Booklet-English.pdf
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/21PBp1bcRxE?t=44
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/a7F-2rnkkgY?t=81
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/jSK3muv_w5E?t=38
      5. ↑ http://www.poolplayers.com/8-9-ball-Rules.pdf

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      9-ball is a popular game of pool played with 2 players. The objective of the game is to legally sink the 9 ball. Unlike 8-ball, also known as “stripes and solids,” 9 ball is a type of rotational pool, which means that both players are trying to pocket the same balls in order from 1 to 9. To set the balls up, rack the balls at the foot spot in a diamond shape, with the 1 ball in front and the 9 ball in the middle of the diamond. The rest of the balls should be arranged randomly around the 9. The starting player breaks the rack by shooting at the 1 ball from the kitchen. If they pocket any ball on the break, they continue to shoot. If they don’t pocket a ball, the next player shoots. When shooting, the active player must hit the lowest number ball on the table. For example, if they sink the 1 ball on the break, they must make contact with the 2 ball on their next shot. If they sink the 2, they move on to the 3 and so on. However, combination shots are allowed. So, if a player hits the 1 ball and that 1 ball knocks in a higher-numbered ball, they continue shooting. The active player keeps shooting until they fail to legally pocket a ball or they scratch. A scratch occurs if a player fails to hit the lowest-numbered ball available, they sink the cue ball, or they fail to hit a rail or pocket a ball after making first contact with an object ball. When a player scratches, their opponent picks the cue ball up and places it anywhere on the table before taking their next shot. If any player scratches on 3 consecutive turns, they lose. Play continues until a player wins by sinking the 9 ball or by default when the other player scratches 3 times in a row. To learn how to play more competitive 9-ball pool by using the push-out rule, keep reading!

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