How To Master The Rules Of Pool

Step 1: The Object of the Game

The object of the game is to be the first player to pot a group of balls of the same colour, and then finish by potting the eight ball. So lets go through the basic rules.

Step 2: Playing from the behind the Line

The line in question is the Baulk Line, this is the line that crosses the entire width of the table. This is where the cue ball is placed for the break, the ball can be played from anywhere in this area as long as it is behind the line. It is important to remember that the centre point of the cue ball must be behind the line, if the centre point of the ball is on the line and the player takes the shot this is considered a foul.

Step 3: The break

The first shot of the frame is called the 'Break'. To Break, the cue ball is played from behind the line towards the triangular formation of balls. Before you start you need to decide who breaks, there are two recognised ways to do this, one is to simply flip a coin and whoever wins gets to break. The other way is not in the official rules, but is a bit more fun as it is a test of skill. The idea is for the two players to simultaneously hit a ball from the baulk line up the table and back again, the person who's ball stops closest to the baulk line has the choice to break or not.

It is considered a Fair Break if at least one ball is potted or four of the balls are pushed to a cushion. If neither of these actions happen then the Break is not considered Fair and the opponent is awarded 2 shots
If the cue ball is potted by mistake on a Fair Break then the player is penalised by the turn passing to the other player. If the cue ball is potted on a break not considered to be fair then the other player is awarded two shots rather than one.
If the eight ball is potted on the break, then the balls are re-racked and the same player starts again.

Step 4: Choosing colours

If the Break has been made and one or more balls of one colour have been potted the player must continue to play that colour for the rest of the frame. If the player potted a ball of each colour they then have the choice of which colour to continue playing with. If no balls where potted on the Break then the other player has the choice of colours.

Step 5: Fouls

There are three types foul in pool. The Stationary Foul, The Movable Foul, and The Loss of Frame Foul.
The stationary foul is the most common type of foul, when it happens the cue ball stays in it's position for the opposing player to take their two shots. This penalty is awarded to the other player when:
A player plays the cue ball in front of the line.

A player misses all the balls of their colour on the table

A player hits one of the other players balls

A player pots an opponents ball.

A player makes a shot while not having one foot on the floor.

A player makes a push shot. This is when a player plays the cue so slowly through the Cue Ball that the cue tip remains in contact with the Cue Ball so as to be visibly pushing it along

A player makes a double hit. This is when the tip of the cue strikes the Cue Ball twice and the other player is able to actually see each contact.

A player fails to play way from a touching ball, This is when the cue ball has stopped so close to another ball that they are visibly touching, in this case the balls have made contact, to play this ball would be considered
double hit so a foul. To avoid this, it is best to play away,
in this case the cue ball does not have to make contact
with another ball as it is already considered to have made
contact at the start of the shot.

A players body or clothing touches any ball.
A player causes interference, while the other player is taking a shot.

There are not as many reasons for the moveable foul, but it happens just as much as the previous one. When this foul occurs, the Cue Ball must be moved back behind the line for the other player to take their two shots. This penalty is awarded when
A player pots the Cue Ball
When a player plays a ball that leaves the table and does not return to the playing service, if the ball does return to the surface without any help from an outside influence then there is no foul incurred.
Once the ball has been placed behind the line it can be played in any direction, up or down the table.

This is the most drastic foul you can make during a game of pool and will generally mean that the win will be awarded to the other player. This penalty occurs when
A player pots the Eight-Ball while they still have some balls of their colour on the table
A player breeches the 'Spirit of the Game' to such an extent that the frame is awarded to the other player.

Step 6: Other Rules

These are the basic rules, but there are just a couple of extra bits that you need to know.
If a ball is near a pocket and drops into it without being hit, then the ball must be replaced to it's original position without any penalty being awarded to the other player.
If any balls are moved during a frame by anyone else other than the players at the table, then the balls will be replaced to their original positions, with no penalty awarded to the other player.
If you're interested in learning more about the game of pool why not look at The English Pool Association website at www.epa.org.uk.