Bank Pool Rules
The game is played with one cue ball (the white ball) and
(optionally nine or fifteen).
The objective is to score points by legally pocketing balls using
.
A frame is
who legally pockets:
3 balls (in a 5-ball game)
5 balls (in a 9-ball game)
8 balls (in a 15-ball game)
and thereby makes it impossible for the opponent to reach the required total.
Opening break
The game begins with the cue ball in hand behind the head string.
On the break shot, at least
must contact a cushion, or the break is illegal.
If any balls are pocketed on a legal break, the breaker
. Balls pocketed on the break do not count toward the score and are spotted after the breaker’s inning ends.
When an
occurs, the opposing player has the option to accept the table and take their turn or to have the balls re-racked and break.
Continuing play
All object balls are legal. Legally pocketing a ball entitles you to
. Your inning ends if you do not legally pocket a ball.
A legally pocketed ball counts as
.
Any ball pocketed in addition to the
on the same shot does not count and is an illegally pocketed ball.
it is pocketed as the result of a
.
the
number of cushion contacts
is designated when the shot is called, and only that number of cushions is contacted.
it is not pocketed as a result of a
.
it is
not struck more than once
by the cue ball.
The shot does not meet the above requirements,
It is pocketed in addition to the called ball, or
All illegally pocketed balls are spotted
. Spotting is delayed until the shooter’s inning ends.
Fouls
The cue ball first contacts a
non-designated object ball
.
No ball is pocketed and
no ball is driven to a cushion
.
The cue ball is
(scratch). The opponent receives cue ball in hand behind the head string.
When shooting with cue ball in hand behind the head string, the cue ball fails to
before contacting an object ball.
The player fails to complete the shot
.
After any foul (except as noted above for the break), the opponent receives
(not necessarily behind the head string).
A player who commits
loses the frame.
Claiming a Draw or Victory
The player at the table may claim a draw if no ball has been pocketed for:
20 consecutive turns (5-ball game), or
30 consecutive turns (15-ball game).
The player at the table may claim victory under the same conditions if their lead exceeds half the number of balls required to win:
At least a
in a 5-ball game
At least a
in a 9-ball game
At least a
in a 15-ball game
End of the Game
The frame ends when a player has
the required number of balls (3, 5, or 8) and does not owe any balls. That player wins the frame.
PRO mode
For each foul you commit you must spot one of your previously scored balls,
reducing your score by one
. There is no ball-in-hand after a foul.
If a player fouls and has no previously scored balls, they
. One ball must be spotted after each subsequent scoring inning until all owed balls are cleared.
If a player has cue ball in hand behind the head string and all remaining object balls are also behind the head string, the object ball nearest the head string may be spotted upon request.
A player who reaches -3 points
.
The frame also ends if the
equals the number of balls required to win.
