Game Object

The object of 8-ball is to legally pocket the 8-ball first.

8-ball is a cue ball game played with numbered balls 1-15, consisting of seven solid color balls (not including 8 ball), seven striped balls, and the 8-ball. The player who legally pockets their color and then the 8-ball wins the game.

Rules

1. Rack
   The balls are racked on the foot spot with the 8-ball always in the middle, and alternating stripes and solids on the rear corners of the triangle.
2. The Break
   The break in one game matches is determined randomly. In multi-game matches the break will alternate.
   1. The player breaking has ball-in-hand anywhere behind the headstring.
   2. At least four object balls must touch a rail in order for the break to be legal.
   3. If the shooter fails to drive enough object balls to the rail on the break, the opponent has the option of accepting the position or re-racking the balls and breaking himself.
   4. If the shooter scratches or jumps a ball of the table on an otherwise legal break, then the opponent has only the option of ball in hand behind the headstring. The opponent must contact an object ball after the headsting in this situation or otherwise it is considered a foul.
   5. If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break, breaker may ask for a re-rack or have the 8-ball spotted and continue shooting. If the breaker scratches while pocketing the 8-ball on the break, the incoming player has the option of a re-rack or having the 8-ball spotted and begin shooting with ball in hand behind the head string.
3. Open Table (Stripes/Solids)
   The table is considered open the shot immediately following the break regardless of how many balls were pocketed on the break.
   1. The shooter of an open table may shoot any at any ball first except the 8-ball.
   2. A player making a striped and solid in the same shot of an open table will be given the option of what type of ball to continue shooting with.
   3. If a legal object ball is pocketed and the shooter scratches or otherwise fouls, then the table is still considered open for the opponents next shot (with ball in hand).

4. Play
   A player retains the right to shoot, as long as one of their balls is legally pocketed during the previous shot. A player loses their turn when they fail to pocket a ball, or foul.
5. Safety Shot
   A player may declare a safety shot (safe shot) before they play a shot. When a safety shot is declared the player automatically loses their turn after the shot regardless of legally balls potted. All fouls and other rules apply to a safety shot.
6. Fouls
   A foul is considered any violation of the rules of play. After a foul, the offending player loses their turn, and their opponent has ball-in-hand.
   1. It is a foul to pocket the cue ball at any time.
   2. Potting the 8-ball before the final shot is considered a loss of game.
   3. Jumping the 8-ball of the table is a loss of game.
   4. Potting the 8-ball in other than the called pocket is considered a loss of game.
   5. Scratching while pocketing the 8-ball on the final shot is considered a loss of game.
7. Rails Hit
   A ball must either be pocketed, or a ball (including the cue ball) must touch a rail after a ball has been hit legally or else it is a foul.
8. Balls Driven from Table
   It is a foul to hit an object ball off the table.
   1. Object balls driven from the table are not re-spotted.
9. Calling the 8-Ball
   To legal pocket the 8-ball on the final shot you must declare in which pocket the 8-ball will go. Failing to nominate the correct pocket could result in a loss of game.
10. Timer
    It is considered a foul for the timer to expire.
11. Special Cases
    In the event of a discrepancy in the software with these rules (such as a "bug"), the software's functionality shall prevail in determining the outcome. PoolStars reserves the right to modify or change these rules at any time. PoolStars reserves the right to void any results to any matches deemed to be technically abnormal.