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Rules & Basics

9-Ball Rules: How to Play 9-Ball (WPA Standard)

Hit the lowest ball first, pocket the 9 legally, win. The full rules in plain English.

By Cueing AcademyPublished 7 min read

In short

  • The cue ball must hit the lowest-numbered ball on the table first, every shot.
  • Any ball pocketed on a legal shot counts — no calling shots in standard 9-ball.
  • Pocket the 9 on any legal shot (including the break or a combination) to win.
  • Three fouls in a row lose the rack, after a warning.

9-ball rules in one paragraph

9-ball is played with balls 1 to 9. On every shot the cue ball must hit the lowest-numbered ball on the table first. Any ball pocketed on a legal shot counts and you keep shooting. Whoever legally pockets the 9-ball wins the rack — it doesn't matter how many other balls are left.

This guide follows the WPA World Standardized Rules. Leagues and bars sometimes change details such as the push out or ball in hand; check specific situations in our free rules & dispute tool.

The rack and the break

Rack in a diamond with the 1-ball on the foot spot and the 9 in the centre — see how to rack pool balls. The breaker has ball in hand behind the head string.

  • Legal break: hit the 1-ball first, then pocket a ball or drive at least four object balls to a cushion.
  • 9 on the break: a win, if the break is legal and there is no foul.
  • Foul on the break: the opponent gets ball in hand anywhere; a pocketed 9 is spotted.

The push out

On the first shot after the break only, the incoming player may announce a push out. The cue ball doesn't need to hit the lowest ball or a rail (a scratch is still a foul). The opponent then chooses: take the shot, or hand it back. A good push leaves a shot that is awkward to take *and* awkward to give back.

Quick check

After a push out, who decides who shoots next?

Fouls, ball in hand and the three-foul rule

After a foul your opponent has ball in hand anywhere on the table. Balls pocketed on a foul stay down, except the 9, which is spotted. Common 9-ball fouls:

  • Not hitting the lowest-numbered ball first.
  • No rail after contact (no ball pocketed and no ball reaches a cushion).
  • Scratching or jumping the cue ball off the table.
  • Double hits, push shots, touching balls, or no foot on the floor.

Three-foul rule: if you foul on three consecutive shots without a legal shot in between, you lose the rack. Your opponent must warn you after the second foul. That's why kick shots and lock-up safeties matter so much in 9-ball — read when to play safety.

Self-check

Legal 9-ball shot check

Tick what happened on the shot.

Tick everything that sounds like you.

0 / 3 ticked

From rules to winning 9-ball

Because the order is fixed, 9-ball is a game of position and safeties. Plan two or three balls ahead and always know your exit angle.

Diagnose it

Where does my 9-ball run break down?

Pick the symptom closest to what you see.

Train it with the 9-ball ghost drill and read our 9-ball rotation strategy.

Frequently asked questions

Your next step

Don't just read it. Train it.

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