How to Play 9 Ball Pool: Racking, Strategy, Rules and More

This article will explain the basics of playing 9 ball pool. We’ll also provide an easy and detailed overview of racking, rules to play playing the game, break and the standard fouls.

9 ball is an extremely well-known form of pool. It’s played by pros on television as well as in tournaments for pool players all over the world.

However, when it comes to most rec-room and bar game, nine ball could remain a distant second to the regular game of 8 balls. Nine-ball is, in fact, the ideal drinking game.

It’s fast-pacedand it’s possible to play games swiftly. It’s a special mix of skills and strategies and is often the type of game that players like when they become more proficient at pool.

The purpose of this game is quite simple to sink the 9-ball and take the lead in the game. Of of course, there’s extra to this. Let’s begin by examining the rack.

Table of Contents

How to Rack a Game of 9 Ball Pool

The balls 1 through 9 are utilized. The balls are stacked in a diamond-shaped fashion with a conventional nine ball rack. The 1st ball should in the middle on the diamond (apex). The 9-ball is placed in the middle in the rack.

The remaining balls are able to be placed within the diamond in an random order. Do not place the balls in an order.

If you don’t own diamond racks, make use of a triangle rack and form the diamond using your hands. Make sure to press firmly beginning at the base of the diamond all the way to at the very top.

Racks should be made as tightly as it is possible. Go through this article to get a refresher of the proper way to rack a pool game.

Atop the table, the 1 ball should meet at the foot end at the foot of the table. This is the center point at the rack end on the table.

Basic 9 Ball Rules

The purpose of the 9-ball pool game is the sinking in ascending order, from 1 to 9. A player that is legally able to make the 9 ball within the pocket is awarded.

In reality, combo shots permit the winner to be crowned before the balls are taken of the game. Combining into balls with higher numbers such as that 9 ball as long as you touch the lowest ball first.

For instance, let’s say that you’re trying to shoot for 5 balls but you notice the possibility to “combo” the 5 into the 9 ball and take the 9 ball in pocket. If you are able to call this shot and then sink the 9 ball with no scratching, you’ll take the win.

You can’t hit directly the ball that is nine until there is only one ball in the game. Also, must always hit the ball with the lowest value first.

There may be different rules to follow for leagues and halls, since they are governed by their specific rules. In 9 ball, however, there is no requirement to announce all shots with the exception of nine balls.

If you are able to make your shot without committing a violation then you shoot. If you fail your opponent will play the cue ball starting from the same position that you left it in. (Learn the basics of the cue ball’s control)

Breaking

The ability to break in 9 Ball Pool may be an benefit. In the event that the 9 ball has been thrown during the break (without scratching) The breaker is the winner!

The player breaks within the headstring. That is, behind the middle area at the break between the second diamonds that run along the rails on either side of a large table. (Learn how to understand the anatomy of a pool table)

If you are playing the first time you could flip a coin to determine who will break. However, I would prefer to use using the “lagging” method.

Lagging is the act of throwing the cue ball over the table with enough force to get it back to the table and then bring that ball to its bumper. The person who hits it closest wins. It’s a great and fun method to see who is broken during the first game.

For the following games, the majority of players just make sure for the chance to win a break.

The 9-ball players who have been playing for years use different ways of breaking.

A common strategy is to align to your left hand side, and then aim the cue a little to the left of the center of one ball. With a controlled stroke that is not overly powerful, the aim is to lower the ball from the right corner and release the other ball to the left of the table.

This will expand your possibilities and provide you with an opportunity to hit the ball that is closest to you. the game.

Standard 9 Ball Fouls

Cue ball scratches or falls off the table. A scratch occurs when you put your hand on the cue ball, or throw at it from the table.
The wrong ball is first hit. The ball first touched with each shot must be the ball with the lowest numbered that is still on the table
Double-hitting on the cue ball. (Having difficulties holding the cue ball? Take a look at this article.)
Failure to strike a rail with any ball following contact with the ball.
There is no foot on the floor (you must always keep at least one of your feet on the ground while shooting)
The push shot (cue tip to keep in contact with the ball for longer than the split-second that is allowed for normal shots)
Slow play
Balls continue to move when you shoot (You have to wait until the balls have stopped moving prior to you shoot your next shot)
Stick of cue on the table
Playing in a round

As we’ve mentioned that many bars and pools have rules for 9 ball games. However, the following fouls are accepted by the majority of people.

If the shooter is found guilty of one of these in the game, the next player will have a cue ball on the hand. Learn more about this below.

If you commit a number of these offenses in a particular shot, the shot is considered a single offense. In contrast, if you commit three fouls in succession which is three consecutive shots with a foul , and not taking a legal shot – the rule is you’re out of the game..

Cue Ball-in-Hand

It is an essential part of the 9 ball. If you are guilty of a foul or scratch during a game the other player can decide where to place the ball cue. He or she may place it wherever on the table to play the next shot. This is referred to as having the “ball in hand.”

In the event of breaks the cue ball must be put in the hand just behind the headstring.

Spotting the Ball

If the nine ball gets taken out of the pocket on a foul, pushing out or hit away from the table it will be observed.

It is important to note it is it is only the 9 one which is visible in the this pool..

If you bounce another ball off the table for instance it’s considered a foul and you’ll are out of the game. But the ball will not appear to be spotted.

Push-Out

Some leagues and pool halls permit”push outs.” These are the ones that “push out” after the break. The person who breaks or is a player who breaks may hit the cue ball from any place on the table, leaving the opponent with a more difficult shot.

If the other player choosesto do so, they can choose not to take the shot, and then return it to the player who shot it. The majority of halls do not play according to the strict Billiard Congress of America’s rules, so make sure to talk with your opponent prior to playing.

These are the fundamentals of playing nine ball pool. It’s an easy game to understand however it requires lots of skills to be successful. Since there are fewer balls to play with, each shot is important and a game could end fast with a legally-approved combo shot that lands the 9.

Learning to play 9 ball is an excellent method of practicing. There’s so much strategy to be learned with this sport. In addition, there’s more space at the table, meaning you’ll need to focus to place the ball correctly and correctly lining up shots.

Additional reading for 9 Ball Pool:

9 Ball Strategies Videos with instruction on shooting from the line and breaking, defensive play and other information from Colorado State