8 Ball Billiards
The 8 ball billiards is a call shot game which is played with fifteen object balls and a cue ball. The object balls are numbered one through fifteen. The first player must pocket the balls numbered one through seven and the other one should work nine through fifteen. The player who pocket his group first and the 8 number ball wins the game. This is the reason why it is called as 8 ball billiards.
In 8 ball billiards, there is no need to indicate obvious balls and pockets. It is the right of the other player to ask which ball and pocket the ball if the shot is not sure. You take care to call both the object ball and the intended pocket. There is no need to indicate such details as cushions, kisses, caroms, etc while you call the shot. The balls if pocketed would remain pocketed. This rule is applicable for both the balls shooter’s as well as opponents’. The player doing the break shot in 8 ball billiards would continue to shoot.
The balls in the 8 ball billiards are racket in a triangle with 8 number ball in the center. The one number ball is placed on the foot spot while the stripe ball in one end and the solid ball at the other end. The winner of the lag has the option to break. During the 8 ball billiards, if the player scratches then all the balls pocketed remain pocketed except the number 8 ball. The next player should start with the cue ball behind the head string and he should not shoot an object ball that is behind the head string. But when it hits the object ball with the reverse movement after hitting the rails, it is allowed.
The opposing player gets cue ball in his hand. This is done to prevent the player from making intentional fouls in 8 ball billiards game. If the object ball is pocketed in the foul shot, or if the ball did not go to the intended pocket or if the safety is called before the shot, it is considered as illegally pocketed. In 8 ball billiards, if the object balls jump off the table, it is called as foul. If the ball that jumps is 8 number ball, then the game is lost. In 8 ball billiards, if a player fouls when pocketing 8 number ball or when he pockets the 8 number ball in a pocket than the one designated or if that ball jumps off the table, the game is lost.
