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) 9-Ball rules outline the regulations for playing the game. Here’s a summary:
Objective: Players must legally pocket the 9-ball to win. The 1-ball is the first ball that must be struck.
Rack: Balls are racked in a diamond shape with the 1-ball at the front, the 9-ball in the center, and the remaining balls placed randomly.
Break: The player breaking must strike the 1-ball first and either pocket a ball or drive at least four balls to a cushion.
Legal Shot: Players must contact the lowest-numbered ball first. If they pocket a ball legally, they continue their turn.
Fouls: A foul occurs if the player fails to hit the lowest-numbered ball, doesn’t drive a ball to a cushion, or commits other infractions. The incoming player gets ball-in-hand.
Winning the Game: The game is won by legally pocketing the 9-ball after the player has contacted the lowest-numbered ball.
Jump Shots: Players may perform jump shots, but they must still hit the lowest-numbered ball first.
These rules ensure fair play and maintain the game's competitive nature. For complete rules and detailed regulations, it's best to refer to the official BCA documentation.
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