8-Ball Billiards Rules

8-ball billiards, also known as Hi-Low or Stripe and Solids, is the most popular pool game in the world.  It is said to be played by 30 million Americans and millions more worldwide, arguably one of the most played table sport games in the world.

The rules of 8-ball are fairly simple:  bust the rack with an open break, choose solids or striped balls (the first you knock down determines your balls) and keep putting them away — when you’re done, sink the 8-ball for the win.  8-ball can also be called solids and stripes billiards, but you can also play lows and highs — which is where one player sinks all balls 1 through 7 while the opponent sinks 9 through 15.

Starting 8-ball billiards

Make an open break, smashing all of the balls apart.  If you pocket a ball on the break, the type of ball (solid/stripe or low/high) you knock in determines what you hit for the rest of the game.  If you don’t hit a ball in, your turn is over and your opponent starts their turn.

Playing 8-ball billiards

Once you have determined stripes/solids and have begun playing, each following stroke must first hit one of your balls first.  Failure to hit one of your balls first when striking yields ball-in-hand to your opponent.

Ball-in-hand is also awarded when any cue scratch occurs.

Ending 8-ball billiards

8-ball rules state that scratching while occurring to sink the 8-ball is not a loss of game, unless the 8-ball goes into a pocket as well.  If the 8-ball goes lands into a pocket different than the one that is called, the game is immediately over and that player loses.