PB/M 8 Ball Pool Rules explained

We broadly follow the Billiard Congress of America rules which are the same as the World Pool and Billiards Association - this may be different to the rules that you might be used to say the American Pool Players Association for instance.

The Billiard Congress of America (BCA) 8-ball rules provide a standard framework for playing the game. Here’s a summary:

Objective: The goal is to pocket all of your designated balls (stripes or solids) and then legally pocket the 8-ball to win.

Rack: The balls are racked in a triangle, with the 8-ball in the center and one stripe and one solid in the back corners.

Breaking: The break shot must hit ANY object ball except the Black and either pocket a ball or drive at least four balls to the rail. 

Choosing Groups: After the break, the first player who legally pockets a ball will automatically be designated stripes or solids based on what ball is potted.

Turns: Players take turns, and a turn continues until a player fails to pocket a ball or commits a foul.

Fouls: Common fouls include failing to hit the correct ball first, scratching (cue ball going into a pocket), or not driving any balls to the rail. The incoming player gets ball-in-hand after a foul.

Winning the Game: To win, a player must pocket all their group balls and then the 8-ball, which must be called in a specific pocket. We only require pocket nominations on the 8 Ball from Tour 4.

Loss of Game: A player loses if they pocket the 8-ball before clearing their group or if they scratch/foul while pocketing the 8-ball.

These rules ensure fair play and maintain the integrity of the game. For detailed rules, it’s best to consult the official BCA rulebook.

8 Ball Pocketed on the break: 

We do not re-spot the 8 so go with the ball in hand. 

This is the exact ruling taken from the official BCA rules

Pool Blitz 8 Ball Scoring:

For a Win, you get 15 Points.

For a Loss, you get 1 Point.

For every ball you have potted in your group, you get 1 point (Usually 7 if you potted all of them before the black).

For every ball the opponent has left on the table, you also gain a point.

So if you 7 Ball an opponent (they have 7 Balls left on the table), then you will get;

15 for the Win

7 for your balls potted

7 for your opponent balls left on table

Total: 29

If you were both on the black ball in the end, then you would get;

15 for the Win

7 for your balls potted

0 for your opponent balls left on table

Total: 22