U.S.A 8 Ball - Rules

BALL SET - 7 SPOTS numbered 1-7, 7 STRIPES numbered 9-15, 1 BLACK numbered 8, 1 WHITE.

RULE TERMS:
CUE BALL-The white ball.
OPEN TABLE-Player allowed to hit a SPOT or STRIPE.
BREAK OFF AREA-Small area behind the line drawn across the table width.
BALL IN HAND-Player may place the ball anywhere on the table.
TARGET BALL-Ball player must strike for a legal shot, can be SPOT, STRIPE or BLACK.
CALLED POCKET-Pocket player nominates to pot the BLACK.

1) BREAK OFF
Player chosen to go first may place the CUE BALL anywhere in the BREAKOFF AREA and has an OPEN TABLE, the player must perform a legal break.
An Illegal break occurs if:
CUE BALL potted or jumps from the table. The opponent gets a BALL IN HAND.
CUE BALL fails to strike any ball. The opponent takes the break off shot.
The BLACK is potted, table is reset. The opponent takes the break off shot.
2) SELECTING A BALL TYPE
The first time a player has potted one type of ball with a legal shot. This type then becomes their assigned type.
3) MAIN PLAY
Play continues each player potting balls of their assigned type until all potted. The BLACK is then their TARGET BALL.
4) CALLING THE POCKET
To pot the black the pocket must be named, potting to an unnamed pocket loses the game.
5) FOUL SHOTS
Player pots the CUE BALL or the CUE BALL jumps off the table. The opponent has BALL IN HAND.
Valid TARGET BALL missed. The opponent gets BALL IN HAND.
Player hits their TARGET BALL and also pots opponent balls. The opponent gets a BALL IN HAND
6) WINNING
Player has potted all assigned type balls and potted the BLACK without committing a foul.
7) LOSING
Potting BLACK when it is not the TARGET BALL and not playing the break off shot.
Potting the BLACK as the TARGET BALL and committing a foul.
Potting BLACK as the TARGET BALL into an unnamed pocket.

