9-Ball Rules

1. Aim of the game

The game is played with nine object balls numbered one through nine and a cue ball (the white ball).
The aim is to pocket the 9-ball with a legal shot. On each shot the first ball the cue ball contacts must be the lowest-numbered ball on the table, but the balls need not be pocketed in order.

2. Opening break

• The object balls are racked in a diamond shape, with the one ball at the top of the diamond and on the foot spot, the 9-ball in the center of the diamond, and the other balls in random order.
• The game begins with the cue ball in hand behind the head string.

3. Play & Win

A player is entitled to continue shooting until he fails to legally pocket a ball. It is no foul if he fails but then the opposing player is next.
A player has to complete one shot in 60 seconds, otherwise a foul is called, and incoming player gets cue ball in hand.
If the 9-ball is pocketed by a foul shot then the 9-ball is respotted.

4. Fouls

• Bad hit - If the first object ball contacted by the cue ball is not the lowest-numbered ball on the table.
• No rail - If no object ball is pocketed and neither the cue ball, nor any numbered ball hits the rail.
• Scratch - The cue ball is pocketed.
• Timeout - The shot is not completed in 60 seconds.

After a foul shot the incoming player has the cue ball in hand; he can place it anywhere on the table (not necessarily behind the head string).

5. Losing the game

If a player fouls three consecutive times on three successive shots without making an intervening legal shot he loses the game.

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