Full WPA 9 Ball Rules

Find a copy of the WPA 9 Ball Rules here

OBJECT OF THE GAME

9-Ball is played with a cue ball and nine coloured balls numbered 1 through 9. The player must always hit the lowest numerical ball first. The ball or pocket need not be nominated. Whichever player legally pockets the 9-ball first wins the game.

THE RACK

The balls are racked in a diamond configuration with the 1-ball on the spot and the 9ball in the centre.

ORDER OF PLAY

The order of play is determined by lag, or by coin toss, with the winner having the option to break. In subsequent games the winner of a game breaks in the next game.

LEGAL BREAK SHOT

In the opening break shot, the player must shoot the cue ball from behind the baulk line. The game starts as soon as the cue tip touches the cue ball. The breaking player must either pocket an object ball or send at least four object balls to the rail (cushion) to be legal. Failure to do this or scratching the cue ball (in-off) is a foul break, and the incoming player has the cue ball in hand anywhere on the table.

PUSH OUT

The player who plays the shot immediately after a legal break shot may play a “Push Out”. This is the only time during a game where a “Push Out” may be used. A player must announce his intention to “Push Out”. On a “Push Out” the player may play the cue ball anywhere and it is not required to contact any object ball or rail. Following a legal “Push Out” the incoming player is permitted to play from the resulting position or to pass the shot back to the player who “Pushed Out”.

LEGAL SHOT

To be a legal shot the cue ball must always hit the lowest numbered ball first and either cause an object ball to be pocketed or cause any ball to contact a rail. To do otherwise is considered a foul.

CONTINUING PLAY

A player shall continue when any ball is pocketed on a legal shot.

OBJECT BALL FROZEN TO THE RAIL

This rule applies when the lowest numbered ball to be struck at first impact by the cue ball is frozen to the rail. After the cue ball contacts the object ball the player must:

1) pocket the frozen ball or any other object ball, or 2) drive the frozen object ball to another rail, or 3) drive the cue ball or any object ball to any rail.

Failure to do so is a foul.

FOULS

If a player fouls on the break shot or any other shot as previously defined, the incoming player has the cue ball in hand anywhere on the table. (That is, the player may reposition the cue ball anywhere on the table and play in any direction).

RESPOTTING OF BALLS

No object ball(s) pocketed on a foul stroke or jumped from the table is re-spotted. The exception is the 9-ball, which is placed on the spot or as close as possible to the spot along the string line. The incoming player has the cue ball in hand

THREE CONSECUTIVE FOULS

If the same player commits three consecutive fouls during a game, it is a loss of game. A warning must be given to the offending player between the second and third foul.