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8-Ball Rules & Strategy

By Matthew Sherman, About.com

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The Most Popular Game

8-ball (also called “Hi-Low” or “Stripes and Solids”) is the most popular pool game, chief pursuit of 30 million American players and millions more in Europe and Asia, arguably the single most played table sport in the world. 8-ball leagues nationwide host millions of players, and giant open tournaments take on thousands or tens of thousands of entrants for a single event.

The rules are simple, the game colorful. Bust the rack with an open break, choose solids or stripes and fire away, pocketing the 8-ball last for the win.

The outer simplicity of 8-ball, however, belies its sublime strategy. Top 8-ball demands more creative thinking than a rotation game such as 9-ball, plus cleverer shot sequencing with precise control of the cue ball, too.

Next, we’ll look at the rules, and superior strategy you can master in minutes. Go get ‘em!

Index: 8-Ball Rules & Strategy

  1. The Most Popular Game
  2. 8-Ball Simplified Rules
  3. Watch for Enemies
  4. Guard the Key Ball at All Costs

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