Overview
Eight-ball is a call shot game played with a cue ball and 15 object balls, numbered 1-15. One player must pocket balls of the group numbered 1-7 (solid colours), while the other player has 9 through 15 (stripes). The player pocketing either group first and then legally pocketing the 8-ball wins the game.

Number of Players
2-4 (team play)

Balls used
Standard Rack (1-15) plus Cue ball

Object of the Game
See overview.

Scoring
A player is entitled to continue shooting until failing to legally pocket a ball of his group. After a player has legally pocketed his entire group of balls, he shoots to pocket the 8-ball.

Opening Break
Starting player must make an open break. If failing to do so, incoming player may:

1. accept the table in position and shoot, or;
2. Require that the balls be re-racked and shoot the opening break himself. All balls are pocketed on a legal break remain pocketed.

Scratch on a Legal Break
If a player scratches on a legal break shot, (1) all balls pocketed remain pocketed, (2) it is a foul, (3) the table is open. Please note: The incoming player has cue ball in hand behind the head string and may not shoot an object ball that is behind the head string, unless he first shoots the cue ball past the head string and causes the cue ball to come back behind the head string and hit the object ball.

Open Table
The table is "open" when the choice of groups (stripes or solids) has not yet been determined. When the table is open, it is legal to hit a solid first to make a stripe or vice versa. Note: The table is always open immediately after the break shot. When the table is open, it is legal to hit any solid or stripe first in the process of pocketing the called stripe or solid. However, when the table is open and the 8-ball is the first ball contacted, it is a foul and no stripe or solid may be scored in favour of the shooter. The shooter loses his turn; the incoming player is awarded cue ball in hand; any balls pocketed remain pocketed; and the incoming player addresses the balls with the table still open. On an open table, all illegally pocketed balls remain pocketed.

Choice of Group
The choice of stripes or solids is not determined on the break even if balls are made from only one or both groups, because the table is always open immediately after the break shot. The choice of group is determined only when a player legally pockets a called object ball after the break shot.

Legal Shot
On all shots (except on the break and when the table is open) the shooter must hit one of his group of balls first and (1) pocket a numbered ball, or (2) cause the cue ball or any numbered ball to contact a rail. Please Note: It is permissible for the shooter to bank the cue ball off a rail before contacting the object ball; however, after contact with the object ball, an object ball must be pocketed, or the cue ball or any numbered ball must contact a rail. Failure to meet these requirements is a foul.

"Safety" Shot
For tactical reasons, a player may choose to pocket an obvious object ball and also discontinue a turn at the table by declaring "safety" in advance. A safety shot is defined as a legal shot. If the shooting player intends to play safe by pocketing an obvious object ball, then prior to the shot, the shooter must declare a "safety" to the opponent. It is the shooter's responsibility to make the opponent aware of the intended safety shot. If this is not done, and one of the shooter's object balls is pocketed, the shooter will be required to shoot again. Any ball pocketed on a safety shot remains pocketed.

Foul Penalty
Opposing player gets cue ball in hand. This means that the player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table (does not have to be behind the head string except on the opening break). This rule prevents a player from making intentional fouls, which would put an opponent at a disadvantage.

Combination Shots
Combination shots are allowed; however, the 8-ball can't be used as a first ball in the combination unless it is the shooters only remaining legal object ball on the table. Otherwise, should such contact on the 8-ball occurs is a foul.

Illegally Pocketed Balls
An object ball is considered to be illegally pocketed when, (1) that objects ball is pocketed on the same shot a foul is committed, or (2) the called ball did not go in the designated pocket, or (3) a safety is called prior to the shot. Illegally pocketed balls remain pocketed and are scored in favour of the shooter controlling that specific group of balls, solids or stripes.

Playing the 8-ball
When playing the 8-ball is the legal object ball, a scratch or foul is not loss of game if the 8-ball is not pocketed. Incoming player has cue ball in hand. Note: A combination shot can never be used to legally pocket the 8-ball, except when the 8-ball is the first ball contacted in the shot sequence.

Loss of Game
A player loses the game by committing any of the following infractions:

1. Fouls when pocketing the 8-ball
2. Pockets the 8-ball on the same stroke as the last of his group of balls.
3. Pockets the 8-ball in a pocket other than the one designated.
4. Pockets the 8-ball when it is not the legal object ball.