If you know how to play only one pool game, it is probably 8-ball. What you may be surprised to learn, though, is that you don't actually play by the "official" rules at all, but by somebody somewhere's "house" rules. There is nothing wrong with house rules; indeed, the official game likely began its life as somebody's house rules or, more likely, some combination of several sets of house rules. House rules can be more relaxed versions of the official rules (as they are in Ultimate Pool) or they can simply be an abridged set of rules that everyone agrees upon. Either way, it's their unending variety that makes house rules so interesting to play by.
Ultimate Pool includes both house and tournament versions of 8-ball. The goal of both games is identical: to pocket all seven of your balls (either stripes or solids) and then to pocket the 8 ball. The official tournament rules used in Ultimate Pool are those laid down by the Billiard Congress of America (BCA). The house rules are our own: Those idiosyncratic rules that have come to represent 8-ball to us and the rules by which we play when we're in the mood for a casual game of pool.
House 8-ball is played with 15 object balls, numbered 1 to 15, and a cue ball. The goal of each player is to first pocket his set of balls (solids numbered 1 to 7, or stripes numbered 9 to 15) and then to pocket the 8 ball. The first player to legally pocket the 8 ball wins the game.
Players need not call shot in House 8-ball. A player's inning at the table ends if he fails to pocket one of his object balls or if he fouls (see the section called Fouls below).
The opening break in House 8-ball is made by the Starting Player, as set in the Preferences menu. The break must be made from behind the head string. That is the only requirement for the opening break; however, "gentlemen's play" dictates that the starting player should attempt an open break even though this is not enforced.
If a player pockets any ball on the opening break, then his set of object balls (stripes or solids) is determined by that ball. If he pockets both a striped and a solid ball, then he will be asked to choose whether he wishes to play as stripes or solids.
If a player fails to pocket a ball on the break, his inning ends. The next player's inning begins and the table remains open until at least one object ball is pocketed.
If a player scratches on the break, then that is a foul. The normal rules for scratching apply (see the section Fouls below).
If a player pockets the 8 ball on a legal opening break, then he wins the game.
If no ball was legally pocketed on the opening break, then the table is open until one of the players pockets a ball without fouling. That ball then determines the player's set (stripes or solids).
A player may legally shoot at any ball on the table while it is open. But once a player's set has been determined, the first ball the cue ball contacts must be one of his own set.
If a player fails to pocket one of his own object balls, then his inning ends and the table is turned over to his opponent.
If a player fouls for any of the reasons listed below, his inning at the table ends. Any of his own object balls that he pocketed while fouling are spotted. All other object balls remain pocketed and the table is turned over to his opponent.
Scratching. A player may not pocket the cue ball. After a scratch, the incoming player is awarded ball in hand behind the head string.
Illegal shooting from behind the head string: If a player has ball in hand behind the head string (ball in kitchen), then he may not shoot at any object ball in the kitchen until he first drives the cue ball out of the kitchen. If the cue ball hits a cushion and returns to strike an object ball in the kitchen, then that shot is legal. Note: The player may shoot at any object ball not in the kitchen according to the normal rules.
Failure to execute a legal shot. A player must execute a legal shot as defined above in the section called Legal shot.
Once a player has cleared all of his object balls from the table, he is "shooting the 8 ball".
If a player pockets the 8 ball when he is not shooting the 8 ball, he loses the game.
If a player scratches when shooting the 8 ball, then he loses the game.
If a player fouls while pocketing the 8 ball, then he loses the game.
There is no scoring in House 8-ball. The first player to legally pocket the 8 ball wins the game.
Tournament 8-ball is played with 15 object balls, numbered 1 to 15, and a cue ball. The goal of each player is to first pocket his set of balls (solids numbered 1 to 7, or stripes numbered 9 to 15) and then to pocket the 8 ball. The first player to legally pocket the 8 ball wins the game.
Players must call shot. A player's inning at the table ends if he fails to pocket one of his object balls or if he fouls (see the section called Fouls below).
The opening break in Tournament 8-ball is made by the Starting Player, as set in the Preferences menu. A legal break must be made from behind the head string and the player must either pocket an object ball or cause at least four object balls to contact a cushion.
If a player fails to execute a legal break as defined above, it is not a foul. However, the incoming player has the option of either accepting the table as is or reracking the balls and shooting the break himself.
If a player pockets a ball on the opening break, then his inning continues. However, balls pocketed on the break do not determine a player's set of balls. The table remains open until a player calls a ball and pocket and then successfully executes the shot. The called and pocketed ball determines the player's set (stripes or solids).
If a player fails to pocket a ball on the break, his inning ends. The next player's inning begins and the table remains open until an object ball is successfully called and pocketed.
If a player scratches on the break, then that is a foul. Any balls pocketed on the break are spotted, the table is open, and the incoming player receives ball in hand behind the head string.
If a player scratches on the break and pockets the 8 ball, then the incoming player may either rerack and shoot the break himself, or spot the 8 ball on the foot spot and shoot with ball in hand behind the head string.
If a player pockets the 8 ball on a legal opening break, the player may either reshoot the break, or spot the 8 ball on the foot spot and continue shooting.
A player may legally shoot at any ball on the table while it is open. But once a player's set has been determined, the first ball the cue ball contacts must be one of his own set.
For a shot to be legal, a player must either pocket one of his object balls, or after the cue ball strikes an object ball cause the cue ball or any object ball to contact a cushion.
If a player fails to pocket one of his own object balls, then his inning ends and the table is turned over to his opponent.
Safety play is permitted in tournament 8-ball. A safety play enables a player to end his inning without incurring a foul. A safety play must be a legal shot as defined above in the section called "Legal shot." After a safety play, a player's inning ends and the table is turned over to his opponent. If a player pockets any of his own balls during a safety play, they are spotted. All other balls remain pocketed.
To call a safety play in Ultimate Pool, click on the brass "Quarter Note Software" plaque located on the head rail of the table before making your safety shot. If you have clicked on the plaque and then change your mind, simply click on a ball and pocket to make a normal shot.
The shots listed below are invalid, but they are not fouls. If a player makes an invalid shot, then any of his own object balls that he pocketed are spotted. All other object balls remain pocketed and the table is turned over to his opponent.
Failure to call ball or pocket. A player must call a ball and a pocket before every shot.
Failure to pocket an object ball in the designated pocket. A player may only pocket the object ball in the pocket he indicated.
Failure to pocket the called ball while pocketing a non-called object ball. A player must pocket his called ball or any uncalled balls of his own set that he pockets on that shot are not legally pocketed and are spotted. Any balls pocketed belonging to his opponent remain pocketed.
If a player fouls for any of the reasons listed below, his inning at the table ends. Any of his own object balls that he pocketed while fouling are spotted. All other object balls remain pocketed. The table is turned over to his opponent who is awarded ball in hand. (Note: ball in hand means the incoming player may place the cue ball anywhere on the table he chooses, and not just behind the head string.)
Scratching. A player may not pocket the cue ball.
Illegal shooting from behind the head string: (This rule only applies when the starting player scratches on the break.) If a player has ball in hand behind the head string (ball in kitchen), then he may not shoot at any object ball in the kitchen until he first drives the cue ball out of the kitchen. If the cue ball hits a cushion and returns to strike an object ball in the kitchen, then that shot is legal.
Failure to execute a legal shot. A player must execute a legal shot as defined above in the section called Legal shot.
Once a player has cleared all of his object balls from the table, he is "shooting the 8 ball". Note: Fouling or making an invalid shot while shooting the 8 ball is only loss of game if the 8 ball is pocketed on that shot.
A player loses the game if he commits any foul or invalid shot while pocketing the 8 ball.
There is no scoring in Tournament 8-ball. The first player to legally pocket the 8 ball wins the game.