How to Play 8-Ball Pool
8-ball is the most played pool game in the world. One player takes the solids, the other the stripes; whoever clears their group and then pots the 8 wins.
The balls
- 15 object balls and a white cue ball. Solids are 1–7, stripes 9–15, and the black 8 is special.
- The balls are racked in a triangle at the foot of the table with the 8 in the middle.
The break
- Place the cue ball anywhere behind the head string (the line across the left quarter of the table) and break.
- After the break the table is open: either group may be hit.
- If the 8 drops on the break, it goes back on the foot spot.
Groups
The first ball you pot legally after the break decides your group; your opponent gets the other.
A legal shot
- The cue ball must hit one of your balls first (any ball except the 8 when the table is open; the 8 once your group is gone).
- After that, a ball must drop or some ball must touch a cushion.
Pot one of your balls and you shoot again. Otherwise it's your opponent's turn.
Fouls
| Foul | What happens |
|---|---|
| The cue ball hits nothing | Opponent gets ball in hand |
| The wrong ball is hit first | Opponent gets ball in hand |
| Nothing drops and no ball reaches a cushion | Opponent gets ball in hand |
| The cue ball goes in (scratch) | Opponent gets ball in hand |
Ball in hand: the cue ball can be placed anywhere on the table.
Winning (and losing) with the 8
- Clear your group, then pot the 8 on a legal shot: you win.
- Pot the 8 before your group is cleared, or on a foul (for example a scratch): you lose.
Playing on kawu
- Point at the table to aim (the dashed line shows where the cue ball goes and which way the object ball heads). Fine-tune with ← →.
- Set the power with the slider (or ↑ ↓) and press Shoot (or Enter).
- With ball in hand, drag the cue ball to where you want it.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to call your pocket?
Not on kawu. These are casual rules: any ball of yours that drops counts, including the 8 once your group is cleared.
What happens if the 8 goes in on the break?
On kawu it's put back on the foot spot and play goes on. Tournament rules vary.
What is ball in hand?
After a foul your opponent may place the cue ball anywhere on the table before shooting.
Last updated 2026-10-18