Rules for NINE-BALL
Except when clearly contradicted by these additional rules, the General Rules of Pocket Billiards apply.
PLAYERS
Two individuals, or two teams.
BALLS USED
Object balls numbered 1-9, plus the cue ball.
THE RACK
A diamond shaped rack is used. The 1-ball is at the head of the
diamond, on the foot spot. The long axis of the diamond is
along the table's long string. The 9-ball is at the center of
the rack and the 5-ball is at the tail of the rack. The other
balls can be placed randomly.
OBJECT OF THE GAME
To win by scoring the most points by game's end. The game will
end when the 9-ball is put down in order (viz. it was the lowest
ball on the table when the stroke began).
SCORING
The 5-ball and the 9-ball are the only point-balls. The 5-ball
counts for 1-point, and the 9-ball counts for 2-points. If
either point-ball is dropped on the break it is scored at double
its normal value. If the balls 1-5 are run the 5-ball counts
double. If the balls 6-9 are run the 9-ball counts double.
OPENING BREAK
The starting player must make an open break, or legally pocket
an object ball. If he fails to do so the incoming player may
elect to take the balls as they lie and put the cue ball in play
from behind the head string, or shoot the opening break himself.
In subsequent games the looser breaks.
RULES OF PLAY
A legal shot requires that the cue ball's first contact be with
the lowest numbered ball on the table. Before shooting the
player must make known which pocket he is going for. The player
must then either pocket a ball, or send the cue ball or an
object ball to a cushion. Failure to do so is a foul.
A legally pocketed ball entitles the shooter to continue at the
table until he fails to pocket a ball on a legal shot. If
either point-ball is dropped out of order (it wasn't the lowest
ball on the table) then it is spotted.
Any violation of the General Rules of Pocket Billiards that is
deemed a foul will give the opponent cue ball in hand anywhere
on the table.
LOSS OF GAME
A player looses the game if he fouls when on the 9-ball, or
commits fouls in three successive innings.
ILLEGALLY POCKETED OBJECT BALLS
All illegally pocketed balls are spotted and the opponent gets
cue ball in hand anywhere on the table.
JUMPED OBJECT BALLS
Are spotted. If the jumped object ball is a point-ball then the
shooter's inning is over and the incoming player has cue ball in
hand anywhere on the table. Otherwise the play continues based
on what else happened.
FOULS
Incoming player has cue ball in hand anywhere on the table.
These rules are used by Billy Aardd's Club, NMIMT, Socorro, NM.