8-Ball Pool Rules & Strategies for Beginners

When you think of a classic game of pool, 8-ball is one of the most popular versions to play. Whether you’re shooting pool casually or competitively, the rules are really easy to pick up. Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through setting up 8-ball pool, the rules for the game, and how to improve your skills to win your first match!

Basic Rules of 8 Ball Pool

In 8-ball pool, one player tries to pocket all the solid balls (1-7) and the other tries to pocket all the stripes (9-15). On your turn, hit the cue ball to knock your balls into the pockets. If you sink one of your balls, take another turn. Whoever pockets their group of balls and then sinks the 8-ball wins the game!

Section 1 of 5:

8-Ball Pool Objective

Download Article

Pocket your group of balls and the 8 ball to win the game. 8-ball uses a white cue ball and 15 "object balls." When the game starts, players take turns hitting the cue ball, trying to pocket all the balls in their group, solids numbered 1-7 or stripes numbered 9-15. Be the first player to pocket your group of balls and the 8-ball after, and you win the game!^{[1]
X
Research source}
- 8-ball is usually a 2-player game, but you can split into teams and alternate players when it’s your turn.

Section 2 of 5:

8-Ball Pool Setup

Download Article

1
Rack the balls on the table’s foot spot. Place the point of a triangle rack on the foot spot, or the dot three-quarters down the length of the table. Put the 1-ball at the top point of the triangle, and then place a striped ball and a solid ball in the remaining corners. Fill in the rack with random balls along the edges, and place the 8-ball in the center spot in the rack’s 3rd row.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Roll the rack around to pack the balls closer together, and then carefully lift the rack up so the balls form a triangle pointing toward the opposite side of the table.
2
Place the white cue ball behind the head spot. Look for a small dot or triangle on the felt a quarter of the way down the table and directly across from the foot spot. Set the cue ball behind this “head spot” for the first break of the game.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- The line that runs through this point toward the sides of the table is called the "head string." Some pool tables have head strings printed on them, but others have them marked on the sides of the table rails.
3
Choose a player to go first. Either choose a person at random to go first, or decide using a coin flip, game of rock-paper-scissors, or by doing a “lag.” The person who goes first gets to take the first shot at breaking the balls.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- To do a lag, place a ball behind the head string and shoot it so it bounces off the foot rail at the other end of the table. Whichever ball rolls back closest to the head rail determines who goes first.

Section 3 of 5:

How to Play 8-Ball Pool

Download Article

1
Break the rack to start the game. The starting player can place the cue ball anywhere behind the head string for their first shot. When they’re reading, the player uses their pool cue to shoot the cue ball into the racked balls to break the rack. The cue ball must hit the first or second racked ball without hitting any of the rails first. For a legal break, the shot has to pocket a ball or send at least 4 numbered balls into the rails.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- If the cue ball hits a rail or a different ball first, or if it bounces off the table, it’s considered a foul. The other player can either continue playing, or they can re-rack the balls and re-break them.
- If you pocket the cue ball, it’s considered a scratch. Any other pocketed balls stay in the pocket and the second player takes their turn next. They get to place the cue ball anywhere behind the head string.
- If you pocket the 8-ball on a legal break, place the 8-ball on the foot spot and leave the other balls in their positions on the table.
- When a ball goes in during the break, the first player takes another turn right away. If no balls go in, then the other player takes their turn.
2
Choose a ball and pocket to aim for. Immediately after the break, the table is considered “open” so you can shoot at any ball you want. Look for a ball that you can easily knock into a pocket by hitting the cue ball. Say the number of the ball and the pocket you’re trying to hit it into.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Example: If you want to go after the 4-ball because it’s near one of the corner pockets, you could say “4-ball, corner pocket.”
- You don’t have to call the ball and pocket if it’s obvious which one is your next shot. If the 3-ball is right in front of the cue and you’re next to a pocket, just shoot the ball.
3
Claim stripes or solids after sinking a ball. Once you pocket your first ball after the break, you claim the group that it belonged to for the rest of the game. If the ball was striped, then your goal for the game is to pocket all of the remaining stripes. If the ball was solid, then work toward sinking all of the remaining solids.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- If any balls were pocketed during the break, you don’t have to claim that group. You still get an “open” table and can aim for any ball.
- If you pocket a stripe and a solid in the same shot, you get to pick which group you want.
- Once you claim a group, every shot you take must hit one of your group’s balls first.
4
Keep shooting until you don’t pocket one of your balls. When you hit one of your balls into a pocket, you immediately get to take another turn. Make sure to always call out which ball you’re shooting and the pocket you’re aiming for. If you are ever unable to pocket a ball from your group, or if you get a scratch or foul, then it switches to your opponent’s turn.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- You’re allowed to do combination shots, which means shooting at a numbered ball so it pockets a different numbered ball. However, the first ball you hit has to be part of your group.
- If a different ball gets pocketed than the one you were aiming for, it stays pocketed even if it belonged to the other player.
- If the ball goes into a different pocket than the one you called, it stays pocketed, but the other player takes their turn next.
- There’s a chance that one player could take multiple turns in a row before their opponent even pockets a ball.
5
Pocket the 8-ball after the other balls in your group to win. Once you sink all of the other numbered balls in your group, you have the opportunity to go after the 8-ball. When it’s your turn, look over the table and decide which pocket makes it the easiest to sink the 8-ball. Then, announce where you are going to pocket the 8-ball before you shoot. If you pocket the 8-ball, then you win the game!^{[9]
X
Research source}
- If you don’t make the 8-ball on your turn, then your opponent takes their turn.
- If you want a longer match, play again to see who wins the best 2 out of 3 games.

Section 4 of 5:

Special Rules for 8-Ball Pool

Download Article

1
Place the ball anywhere on the table after a foul. Multiple things can cause you to foul during your turn. If you commit one, your opponent gets the cue ball in hand, meaning they can place it anywhere they’d like to line up their next shot. Some common fouls include:^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Scratching the cue ball or hitting it off the table
- Hitting a different ball than the one you called
- Failing to hit the rail with a ball if you don’t pocket one
- Hitting the ball twice or pushing it with your cue
- Hitting a ball while it’s still moving
- Playing when it’s not your turn
- Lifting both feet off the floor
- Touching the ball
2
Call a safety shot if you want to pass your next turn. When you call what ball and pocket you’re aiming for, tell your opponent that you want to take a safety shot. Even if you sink the ball that you called out, your opponent takes the next turn.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Calling a safety is a good idea when you expect the cue ball to end in a spot difficult for you or your opponent to line up the next shot.
3
Lose the game if you pocket the 8-ball early. If you still have balls from your group on the table, then you’re at risk of losing the game if you go after the 8-ball. Some of the things that can make you automatically lose are:^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Pocketing the 8-ball while committing a foul
- Pocketing the 8-ball before clearing your group
- Pocketing the 8-ball at the same time as the last balls in your group
- Pocketing the 8-ball in a different pocket than the one you called
- Hitting the 8-ball off of the table

Section 5 of 5:

Improving Your 8-Ball Pool Game

Download Article

1
Perfect your grip and form for consistent shots. Maintaining a good grip on the cue and using the correct stance make shooting a lot easier. Before you take a shot, take a second to get into the proper form:^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Bridge
  - Put your fingertips flat on the table and raise your knuckles up to form a strong base.
  - Make a V with your thumb and index finger to rest the cue on.
- Grip
  - Hold the cue firmly a few inches up from the base.
  - Keep your elbow bent to 90 degrees so the cue is at waist level.
  - Only swing your forearm forward when making a shot.
- Stance
  - Put your feet shoulder-width apart.
  - Shift your weight onto your left foot (if you’re right-handed).
  - Bend your knees and bend forward at the hips to lean over the table.
  - Look straight down the cue toward the ball.
2
Plan out the order you want to hit the balls. After the break when you choose your group, look ahead to what balls are close to the 8-ball. Choose one as the “key” ball to hit as your last ball so the cue lines up with the 8-ball and a pocket. Then, keep working backwards to find out which ball to hit before the key ball.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- Look for balls that are open and position the cue ball nicely for your next shot.
- Keep in mind that some of the balls may move depending on your opponent’s shots, so reevaluate their layout each time it’s your turn.
3
Strike the ball in different areas to add spin. Hitting the cue ball closer to any of its edges adds extra spin to the ball, which causes it to move in another direction. Spinning the ball can help your positioning after a shot so you can line up the next ball and pocket easier.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- Aim closer to the top of the ball so the cue rolls forward.
- Aim for the middle of the ball to make it stop once it contacts another ball.
- Aim near the bottom of the ball to make the cue roll backwards.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

If I pocket the 8 ball before I'm supposed to, what happens?

Community Answer

You lose and the game is over.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 12 Helpful 68
Question

Are there different types of 8 ball pool that I can play?

Community Answer

There are other house rules you can play to either make the game easier or harder.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 22 Helpful 70
Question

What happens when I shoot at my solid ball and hit a striped ball by mistake?

Community Answer

Your opponent then has ball in hand and can place the cue ball anywhere on the table.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 17 Helpful 45