NINE BALL
House Rules.

Updated: February 8, 1997.

Contents:

  1. PLAYERS
  2. EQUIPMENT
  3. THE RACK
  4. OBJECT OF THE GAME
  5. SCORING
  6. OPENING BREAK
  7. RULES OF PLAY
  8. LOSS OF GAME
  9. ILLEGALLY POCKETED BALLS
  10. JUMPED OBJECT BALLS
  11. PENALTIES FOR FOULS

Except when clearly contradicted by these additional rules, the General Rules of Pocket Billiards apply.

PLAYERS

Two individuals, or two teams.

EQUIPMENT

Object balls numbered 1-9, plus the cue ball.

THE RACK

A diamond shaped rack is used.   The 1-ball is at the head of the diamond, on the foot spot.   The long axis of the diamond is along the table's long string.   The 9-ball is at the center of the rack and the 5-ball is at the tail of the rack.   The other balls can be placed randomly.

OBJECT OF THE GAME

To win by scoring the most points by game's end.   The game will end when the 9-ball is put down in order (viz. it was the lowest ball on the table when the stroke began).

SCORING

The 5-ball and the 9-ball are the only point-balls.   The 5-ball counts for 1-point, and the 9-ball counts for 2-points.   If either point-ball is dropped on the break it is scored at double its normal value.   If the balls 1-5 are run the 5-ball counts double.   If the balls 6-9 are run the 9-ball counts double.

OPENING BREAK

The starting player must make an open break, or legally pocket an object ball.   If he fails to do so the incoming player may elect to take the balls as they lie and put the cue ball in play from behind the head string, or shoot the opening break himself. In subsequent games the looser breaks.

RULES OF PLAY

A legal shot requires that the cue ball's first contact be with the lowest numbered ball on the table.   Before shooting the player must make known which pocket he is going for.   The player must then either pocket a ball, or send the cue ball or an object ball to a cushion.   Failure to do so is a foul.

A legally pocketed ball entitles the shooter to continue at the table until he fails to pocket a ball on a legal shot.   If either point-ball is dropped out of order (it wasn't the lowest ball on the table) then it is spotted.

Any violation of the General Rules of Pocket Billiards that is deemed a foul will give the opponent cue ball in hand anywhere on the table.

LOSS OF GAME

A player looses the game if he fouls when on the 9-ball, or commits fouls in three successive innings.

ILLEGALLY POCKETED OBJECT BALLS

All illegally pocketed balls are spotted and the opponent gets cue ball in hand anywhere on the table.

JUMPED OBJECT BALLS

Are spotted.   If the jumped object ball is a point-ball then the shooter's inning is over and the incoming player has cue ball in hand anywhere on the table.   Otherwise the play continues based on what else happened.

PENALTIES FOR FOULS

Incoming player has cue ball in hand anywhere on the table.


Billy Aardd's Club, NMT, Socorro, NM.