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The sport that began as a nobleman’s sport has evolved into a barroom staple. But make no mistake the sport of billiards, and each of its offspring, still retains that noble spirit.
While proper billiards is rarely found in average clubs, a number of game variations have become famous with the pub and club set. One of the most well-known tournament-style billiards games is “eight ball”. In eight ball billiards, one set of numbered balls is divided between two players. One player shoots for balls 1-7 (also termed “solids” or “low balls”) and the other player plays balls 9-15 (“stripes” or “high balls”). The first player to pocket all of his or her balls, and then legally pocket the eight (black) ball, is announced the winner.
Eight ball is an easy game with very few rules and regulations. However, there are a few rules to keep in mind:
* When calling shots in this eight ball billiards, it is not important to indicate the pocket and ball when the shot is clear. However, if attempting a bank or combination shot, you must declare your intention before proceeding to shoot.
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* If the ball you are shooting jumps off the table, the shot is deemed foul. At this time, you can opt to accept the table and take a shot, or shoot again with the cue ball placed behind the head string.
* On your turn, your shot is only legal if it strikes a group of your own billiard balls and either pocket a numbered ball, or cause a numbered ball or the cue ball to end up in a pocket. This does not apply to shots announced “open”, or to break shots.
* If no ball was pocketed and no group of balls determined after a break shot, the table is still deemed to be open. In other words, if a player breaks and sunk neither solids nor stripes, the table remains open.
* A game may be recognized as a stalemate when six turns (three for each player) are taken consecutively and the next shot will result in the loss of the game. The game is re-racked at this time, and the original breaker takes the break shot again.
Consult an official rulebook for a more precise description of all the rules to eight ball. To play a successful game, you must be willing to learn and obey the rules, and retain the noble spirit of billiards.
Tagged with: billiards ball • billiards tournament
Filed under: Billiards