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When reading these rules, please bear in mind that they are similar to, but not specifically the same as 9-Ball rules in the USA. Should a situation should arise where no rule covers the problem, normal league 8-Ball playing rules apply.
The game of 9-Ball is played on a rectangular 6-pocket table with object balls plus a cue ball. Balls comprise the object balls, numbered 1 - 9, and a cue ball.
The player legally pocketing the 9-ball, either after pocketing all the numerical balls in rotation or by a combination shot, after first hitting the lowest numbered ball on the table, wins the game.
The balls are racked as illustrated with the 1-ball on the 1-ball spot, which is at the intersection of the centre and corner pockets, with the 9-ball in the centre of the diamond.
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Use the triangle you would normally use for other pool games to rack the balls, but use your hands to hold the balls in position while you set them in the correct place.
The opening player must hit the 1-ball from the break. The cue ball is played from any position on or behind the baulk line. The player must pocket an object ball or cause at least two object balls to hit a cushion. failure to do so is a foul break and will result in the balls being re-racked. The opposing player then restarts the game.
If the player pockets the 9-ball from a legal break, the player will win the game. If the player pockets the 9-ball from a foul break, the balls will be re-racked and the opposing player starts the game.
A player must always hit the lowest numbered ball on the table with the cue ball on first impact, failing to do so is a foul.
Following any foul, except a foul break, the opponent may play the cue ball from any position on the table or ask the offending player to play again.
A player potting the 9-ball and the cue ball on the same shot will lose the game, except following a foul break.
A player potting the 9-ball, after failing to first hit the lowest ball on the table, will lose the game.
A player making three consecutive fouls will lose the game.
The game is completed when the 9-ball is potted, in any pocket, and all the remaining balls have come to rest, except following a foul break.
GUIDANCE
Following a foul, the player does not have two visits.
If a legal shot cannot be played, the player must still play a shot, the only penalty being a foul.
The three consecutive foul rule applies to any foul.
Combination shots - the lowest numbered ball may be played onto any other numbered ball to pot either ball. The cue ball may be cannoned off the lowest numbered ball onto any other numbered ball to pot the second ball.
Unlike 8-ball, if a player breaks and pots both the cue ball and the 9-ball, that game is considered lost.
"Push-outs" are allowed. (see below)
After the break (regardless of its result), before the second shot of the game, the player at the table may call a "push-out." A push-out can be called by the breaking player if he legally pocketed a ball on the break, or the non-breaking player if no ball was pocketed on the break. Calling a push-out for the shot after the break allows the player taking the shot to legally hit the cue ball in almost any fashion with no foul, with the exception that the cue ball must stay on the table and illegal shots such as double-hitting the cue ball or a "scoop jump shot" would still be called a foul. Playing a push-out shot ends the player's inning and play passes to the opponent. The main purpose of the push-out shot is to alleviate an unlucky lie after the break, where it is difficult to make a legal shot. Unlike any other shot of the game, for a push-out shot, the cue ball is not required to contact any object ball and if an object ball is contacted, it is not required to be the lowest numbered ball. If the nine-ball is pocketed on a push-out shot it is spotted; however, any other pocketed object ball remains pocketed and is not spotted. A push-out should be called so that the opponent or referee hears the call, and it is customary for the opponent or referee to confirm that he heard the push-out call, so that there is no controversy surrounding the shot. After a push-out shot was called and played, the incoming player has the choice of accepting the table as it lies, or forcing the pushing-out player to take the next shot of the game (always the third shot of the game). Only one push-out is allowed per game, and it must be immediately after the break. The ideal push-out shot leaves a lie that the opponent believes likely to be makeable, and will accept, but will fail to actually make, giving control of the table back to the pusher-out, and which the pusher-out is confident to make if the shot is passed back to him. Thus nine-ball players aim for a push-out that has about a 50/50 chance of being accepted or returned.
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