BIGPOOLPlay free8-ball pool rules: how to play
8-ball is played with a cue ball and fifteen object balls: seven solids (1 to 7), seven stripes (9 to 15) and the black 8-ball. Here is how a game works.
The break
The balls are racked in a triangle and one player breaks from behind the head string. On BigPool, the first player to break is chosen for you.
Open table, then solids or stripes
After the break the table is open. The first player to legally pot a ball claims that group, solids or stripes, and their opponent takes the other.
Keep your turn
You keep shooting as long as you legally pot one of your own balls. Miss, or commit a foul, and it is your opponent's turn.
Fouls and ball in hand
Common fouls are potting the cue ball (a scratch), hitting your opponent's ball first, or hitting nothing at all. After a foul your opponent gets ball in hand and can place the cue ball wherever they like.
Winning with the 8-ball
Once all of your group is off the table, pot the 8-ball to win. Pot the 8-ball early, or scratch while potting it, and you lose the game.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if you pot the 8-ball on the break?
Rules vary between leagues. In most casual games it is re-racked or counts as a win for the breaker. BigPool applies its own consistent rules automatically, so you never have to argue about it.
What is ball in hand?
After your opponent fouls, you may place the cue ball anywhere on the table before your shot.
How do you win at 8-ball?
Pot all seven balls of your group, solids or stripes, then legally pot the 8-ball.