Learning How to Play 8-Ball -

Details for Learning How to Play 8-Ball

ID:	4263
Author:	ignaciomorales08
Title:	Learning How to Play 8-Ball
Article:	One of the most popular and basic games played on pool tables is 8-ball. Eight ball is a pool table game played with a cue and 15 object balls that are numbered 1 through 15. One of the two players must pocket balls of the group numbered 1 through 7, which are solid colors, while the other player has the numbers 9 through 15, which are striped. The player pocketing either group, solid or stripe, first and then also legally pocketing the black 8 ball wins the game. If the players choose to call shots when playing 8-ball, obvious balls and pockets do not have to be indicated. Although, the opponent has a right to ask which ball and pocket if he is unsure of the shot. Any bank shots and combination shots are not considered obvious and should be identified before shooting the ball. When calling the shot, it is not necessary to indicate details such as the number of cushions, banks, kisses, caroms, and other details that may occur while playing. If any balls are pocketed on a foul, they remain pocketed. Any player performing a break shot can continue shooting so long as any object ball is legally pocketed on the break. The balls are racked in a triangle at the foot of the table with the actual 8-ball in the center of the triangle, the first ball of the rack on the foot spot, a stripe ball in one corner of the rack, and a solid ball in the other corner. The winner of the lag has the option to break first. Usually the winner of the game breaks at the start of the next game. Some of the other options are that the players alternate the break or the loser breaks. A legal break shot should be with the cue ball behind the head string. To be a legal break the player must either pocket a ball, or direct at least four numbered balls to the rail. When the breaker fails to make a legal break, it is considered a foul. After a foul on the break, the other player has the option of accepting the table in position or having the balls re-racked. The player decides whether they want the opening break or to allow the offending player to re-break. If on a break, a scratch occurs then all the balls remain pocketed and the next player gets the table open. When there is an open table it means that the players are free to hit any of the balls. In other words, they do not have to hit their solid or stripe color first. The choice of stripes or solids is not determined on the break even if balls go in pockets on the first turn from only one or both groups. The table is always open immediately after the break shot. The choice of group is determined only when a player legally pockets a called object ball after the break shot. Both players stick with their group for the rest of the game. If the groups have been determined and the player mistakenly shoots at and pockets a ball of the opposite group, the opponent must call a foul on him before he takes his next shot. If he fails to do so, the player automatically takes over the group of balls, whether solids or stripes, at which he has been shooting during this inning. A legal shot consists of a player shooting and hitting at least one of his group of balls first. A player must either pocket a number ball or cause the cue ball or any other ball to contact a rail. The player continues to legally shoot until they cease to pocket a ball. Then the next player gets their turn to shoot. If a player fouls, the foul penalty is that the opposing player gets cue ball in hand. This means that the player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table and does not have to be behind the head string except on opening break. This rule helps safe guard against a player making intentional fouls which would put an opponent at a disadvantage. With a "cue ball in hand," the player may use a hand or any part of a cue to position the cue ball. When placing the cue ball in position, any forward stroke motion contacting the ball with the cue ball will be considered a foul, if it is not a legal shot. When the 8-ball is the legal object ball, after all the others have gone in, a scratch or foul is not loss of game if the 8-ball is not pocketed or jumped from the table, but the incoming player has cue ball in hand. The rules may sound confusing, but 8-ball really is a simple and fun game. Owning your own pool table can bring this fun to your home. By having a pool table in your home it makes improvement in games like 8-Ball simple and gives you easy accessibility to fun and entertainment. About the author of this article: ignacio morales has played professional billiards for the last 19 years and written hundreds of articles about billiards and pool tables . contact info: ignacio morales ignaciomorales@gmail.com http://www.pooltables.com
Category:	Entertainment
Date:	September 02, 2009 12:03:06 PM

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