The 8-ball pool game is perhaps one of the most enjoyed cue sports owing to its availability on online gaming platforms. Whether you play billiards, snooker, or 8 Ball Pool, each game includes different object balls, making the gameplay slightly different for each game. The unique ball present in the 8-ball pool game is the black ball numbered 8. The black ball in the 8-ball pool plays a vital role in the game and has several rules to play.
If you are an 8-ball pool novice, you can learn about the relevance and rules of the black ball in the 8-ball pool here.
Relevance of the Black Ball in 8-Ball Pool
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When you play 8-ball pool, you will find seven solid-colored balls, seven striped balls, one white ball (cue ball), and one black ball with the number 8 on the table. The black ball stands out from all the other balls and is called the 8-ball in the 8-ball pool. The name of the pool variant itself justifies the importance of the 8-ball in the game.
The black 8-ball in pool is as crucial as the queen in carrom; the 8-ball decides which player wins the pool game. So, what’s the black 8 ball meaning? It is the final ball in the pool game that must be potted last to win the game.
After successfully potting all the assigned balls (stripes or solids), the player that pots the black ball wins the game.
8-Ball Pool Black-Ball Rules
8-ball is like the queen of the 8-ball pool game, as the winner or loser is decided by who pots this ball. The objective of the 8-ball pool game is to pot all the assigned object balls and then pot the 8-ball. Blackball rules state that the 8-ball must remain unpotted until one of the players pots all the designated balls. The rules for potting the 8-ball and rules relating to potting the 8-ball accidentally are pretty straightforward. Here are the blackball pool rules you must know as an 8-ball pool player:
- Being the most crucial ball in the 8-ball pool game, the black ball is placed right in the center when all the balls are racked on the table. The 8-ball is surrounded by solid and striped balls from all sides.
- As per the black ball rules, the players can only pot the 8-ball at the end of the game after all the designated balls have been potted.
- No player can hit the black 8-ball directly with the cue stick.
- When a player plays the break shot, they can pot any object ball apart from the 8-ball.
- Potting the black ball in one of the pockets leads to a foul. The black ball is placed back on the table in such a case.
- The rules of potting the 8-ball also state that the black ball must be potted in the same pocket as the last object ball.
- If the last object ball was potted in one of the four corner pockets, the players must pocket the 8-ball in the same pocket. However, if the last object ball was potted in one of the two middle pockets, the players must call one of the middle pockets before potting the 8-ball.
- If a player pots the black ball accidentally in an undesignated pocket, i.e., a pocket other than the one in which the last object ball was potted or the pocket called by the player, the black ball is considered spotted.
- In games played on a physical table, the black ball is considered spotted if it bounces off the table.
- In consecutive black 8-ball pool games and tournaments, the black ball carries 7 points, and the other object balls aren’t assigned any points.
- At the end of the game, the black 8-ball acts as the deciding factor for the winner or loser of the game, as the player that pots the 8-ball first wins.
Black Ball Pool Terms
Here are the main terms used in an 8-ball pool game.
- Shot: A player’s attempt to hit the cue ball and pot an object ball.
- Ball Pocketed: When a ball falls into a pocket after a legal shot.
- Driven to a Rail: A ball must touch a cushion after a shot for it to be legal.
- Driven off the Table: When a ball jumps off the table, and is considered a foul.
- Scratch: A foul where the cue ball is pocketed.
- Cue Ball: The white ball that players strike with the cue stick
- Object Balls: The balls that must be potted according to the game rules
- Set: The group of balls, i.e., solids or stripes, assigned to each player.
- Rack: The triangular frame used to arrange the balls before the break.
- Break: The first shot of the game that scatters the racked balls.
- Inning: A player’s turn at the table until they miss or commit a foul.
- Position of Balls: The location of all balls on the table during play.
- Re-spotting Balls: Placing a ball back on the table after being potted illegally.
- Restoring a Position: Resetting balls to their original spots after interference.
- Jump Shot: Striking the cue ball to make it jump over another ball.
- Safety Shot: A defensive shot played to make it difficult for the opponent.
- Miscue: A bad shot caused by the cue tip slipping off the cue ball.
- Free Shot: A shot awarded after a foul, which lets the player shoot freely.
- Baulk: The area behind the baulk line where the cue ball is placed for a break.
- Snookered: When the cue ball is blocked from hitting the target ball directly.
- Ball On: The legal ball a player must strike in their turn.
Black Ball Rack
The black ball rack is the way the balls are set up at the start of the game. Here’s how to rack them properly:
- Use a Triangle Rack and arrange 15 balls in a triangle formation.
- Position the Black Ball and place it in the center of the triangle.
- Use alternate colors where the two rear corner balls should be one red and one yellow or the two different colors used in the game.
- Pack it tight and ensure all balls are touching to create a solid rack.
- The front ball should be on the black spot of the table.
Starting The Game
To start the game, set up the balls in a triangle rack with the black ball in the center. Place the rack so the front ball sits on the black spot of the table. Once the balls are set, one player takes the break shot, hitting the cue ball to scatter them. If a ball is pocketed, that player continues their turn. If not, the opponent plays next. Players must aim to pot all their assigned balls before sinking the 8-ball to win. A foul gives the opponent a free shot. The game continues until someone wins!
Also Read: 8-Ball Pool Rules for Beginners & Pros
Other 8-Ball Pool Black-Ball Rules
In 8 8-ball pool, if a player hits the 8-ball accidentally or indirectly with another object ball, the player is not penalized for a foul. As per 8-ball pool rules, when the cue stick hits the cue ball, the first ball that the cue ball makes contact with must be an object ball. Therefore, the concern lies in the situation when the cue ball directly touches the black 8-ball.
If you hit the black ball indirectly, there are no severe consequences. However, it is a foul if you hit and pot the 8-ball before potting the designated object balls.
Rules for Taking Two Turns to Pot the Black Ball
In the black 8-ball pool, you can take two turns to pot the black ball in one circumstance. For instance, you have potted all your designated balls and have to only pot the 8-ball to finish your game. But your opponent has a few object balls remaining on the table. You can take two shots to pot the black ball in this case.
However, if you and your opponent have potted the corresponding designated object balls and are chasing the 8-ball, you only get one shot to pot the 8-ball. After your shot, the opponent gets a turn to pot it, and if they fail, the turn comes back to you. The turns continue until one player pots the 8-ball successfully.
Read More: 8-Ball Pool Tips & Tricks
Conclusion
Knowing the black ball rules before you play an 8-ball pool game online is essential to avoid fouls. Potting the 8 ball prematurely or during the break shot will give the upper hand to the opponent, which can break your game. You must also avoid touching the 8-ball directly with the cue ball to avoid a foul. If you’re interested in a simpler, more fast-paced version of the game, check out MPL’s 8-Ball Blast.
FAQs
Can we put a black ball in the middle pocket?
Yes, you can pot the black ball in the middle pocket, but only when it’s your final shot. If you sink it too early, you automatically lose the game. Always make sure you have potted all your assigned balls before aiming for the black ball to win.
Can you hit the black ball in the pool?
You can only hit the black ball when it’s the legal shot, meaning all your assigned balls are already potted. If you hit it too early or accidentally, it’s a foul. This gives your opponent a free shot or could even make you lose the game, depending on the rules.
What are the rules for the black ball in the pool?
As per the 8 ball black ball rules, black ball must be potted last after all your assigned balls. If you pot it too early, you lose. You must also call your pocket for the black ball in some game versions.
Can you get two shots on the black ball in the pool?
No, you only get one shot on the black ball. If your opponent fouls while you are on the black ball, you get one free shot but not two. You must aim carefully since missing or fouling can lose you the game.
What happens if a black ball goes in on break with another ball?
If the black ball is potted on the break along with another ball, the game is usually restarted or the black ball is re-spotted. The opponent may also get to decide how to continue the game.
Do you lose if you sink the white ball after the black?
Yes, if you pot the black ball and then sink the white ball, you lose the game. This is called a scratch, and it’s one of the biggest mistakes to avoid in the pool.
