For decades, 9-ball has been the darling of televised pool for its explosive open break and pocketing action.
9-ball is a rotation game. You shoot at the lowest numbered ball on the table, with the caveat that if the 9-ball falls on any shot anytime, even on the break, it's a win!
The balls numbered one through nine are racked in a diamond shape, the 1-ball in front (so the player may hit it as proscribed first without added difficulty) and the 9-ball in the center (for added protection from pocketing on the open break). Beginners forget to hide the 9-ball in the center. If the nine is moved to another position, a pro could sink it on the break most every time to win!
You must hit the lowest numbered ball first with the cue ball. Following that hit, one of the ten balls on the table must touch a rail or sink in a pocket or your opponent receives ball-in-hand. Good players always have an eye to pocketing the 9-ball early for the win.
These are the rules in a nutshell but there are warnings ahead as excellent 9-ball takes much time to learn. 9-ball is a shark pool where hustlers find victims in abundance.Typical rule additions include the “Three Foul Rule” where three fouls or scratches on three consecutive turns end the game. Of note, the rule is enforced only if the opposing player has verbally announced when two fouls have been "achieved" before the third infraction is made. A skilled hustler easily positions the balls to make his prey foul three times and lose.
The "Push Rule" allows the incoming player (following the break shot only) to shoot the cue ball anywhere without touching the lowest ball for a safety or defensive play. The other player may accept the new position or force the person who made the push to shoot again and attempt a regular shot. Again, the hustler is well placed to start hiding the cue ball immediately.
