Poolball Rules
Guide & FAQs
General Rules:
- Use only original Poolball balls
and play within the table boundaries.
- Only players and a referee or observer may enter the playing area
so that the game is not disrupted. - Only the player taking the shot may be on the turf at that moment.
- Other players and the referee or observer may stand on the table surround.
Aim of the Game:
- Two players or teams compete. Use the white cue ball to hit the coloured balls
and pot them in the pockets. - One side plays stripes (balls 9–15), and the other plays solids (balls 1–7).
- Once a team has potted all
its balls, it may play for the black 8 ball. - Pot the 8 ball correctly to win. You must name the intended pocket before each shot at the 8 ball, but you can choose a different pocket after a missed attempt.
Starting the Game:
- Arrange the coloured Poolball balls
in a triangle, touching one another.
- Place the black 8 ball on the foot spot, in the centre of the triangle. Put one solid and one stripe in the rear corners.
The remaining balls can be placed anywhere else in the triangle. - Play the white cue ball from the head spot towards the coloured balls.
- If at least one coloured ball is potted, the opening player continues.
- The first coloured ball potted determines whether that side plays stripes or solids.
- The opposing team automatically takes the other set
(solids or stripes). - If no ball is potted on the opening shot, the opponent plays from the cue ball's current position.
- If a foul occurs on the opening shot, or before stripes and solids have been assigned, the opponent starts from the head spot. They may not directly target a ball in the head area: the quarter of the table between the head spot and the head cushion.
Changing Turns and Fouls:
- Your opponent's turn begins when:
- you do not pot one of your own balls;
- you commit a foul.
- It is a foul if:
- the cue ball does not touch any other ball;
- the cue ball first hits an opponent's ball, or the black ball while you still have your own balls on the table;
- the cue ball is potted;
- An incorrectly played shot is also a foul. In particular:
- the cue ball is touched twice during a shot;
- a coloured ball is touched directly rather than through a legal shot;
- a shot is taken while any ball is still moving, or the cue ball is played with any body part other than the foot or head;
- an opponent's ball is potted;
- any ball leaves the table.
- If one of your own coloured balls leaves the table, place it at the centre of the foot cushion.
- If an opponent's coloured ball leaves the table, it counts as potted and is placed in a pocket.
- Play a proper kick or a brief touch with the sole of your foot.
- Do not push the cue ball.
- The referee or observer may penalise deliberate fouls or misconduct, up to forfeiting the game or disqualifying a player or the whole team.
- After a foul, the opponent takes over and may place the cue ball anywhere on the table and play in any direction: ball in hand.
- Only the cue ball is returned to the playing area after being potted.
Losing the Game:
- You lose the game if:
- you pot the black 8 ball while your own coloured balls remain on the table;
- you pot the 8 ball in a pocket other than the one you announced;
- you pot the 8 ball while committing a foul, for example by also potting the cue ball or first hitting
an opponent's ball; - the 8 ball leaves the table.
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