What is 8-Ball Pool?
8-Ball Pool is the world's most popular pocket billiards game. Two players
compete to pocket all their designated balls (solids 1-7 or stripes 9-15), then legally pocket the 8-ball to
win.
Controls: without a selection bar, your aim and assigned group automatically determine the target ball and pocket, highlighted in yellow. Check the highlights as you aim. The call is fixed before the shot starts. Your assigned group stays the same; after clearing it, aim for the 8-ball. Breaks need no call. With ball in hand, press the cue ball again to move it before shooting. A separate dialog opens only for break exceptions or special spotting choices.
Am I solids or stripes?
Solids are balls 1–7; stripes are balls 9–15. Going first or hitting a ball first does not assign your group. Until groups are assigned, the table is “open.”
- At the start: neither player has a group. You are not yet solids or stripes.
- After the break: groups remain unassigned even if solids or stripes were pocketed. Pocket a ball without fouling and the same player shoots again.
- On a shot after the break: choose the ball and pocket. Legally pocket that ball in that pocket to claim its group. This is a call shot; an obvious shot need not be announced aloud every time.
- Once assigned: you play your group and your opponent gets the other. Pocketing another kind of ball later does not change either group.
- Example: you pocketed the 2-ball on the break
- Pocketing the solid 2-ball on the break does not make you solids. On your next shot, call the striped 10-ball into the right corner and pocket it without a foul: you are stripes (9–15), and your opponent is solids (1–7).
- What if I miss or foul?
- Before assignment, missing the called shot or fouling leaves the table open and passes play to your opponent. Pocketing the 3-ball and cue ball together is a foul, so it does not assign solids.
- What if both kinds go in?
- On the break, groups remain unassigned. Later, the legally pocketed called ball determines your group, not which ball falls first. Call and legally pocket the 10-ball while also pocketing the 3-ball: you are stripes.
- What can I hit first on an open table?
- After the break, either a solid or a stripe may be struck first while the table is open. Hitting the 8-ball first is normally a foul. WPA 4.4 provides a special exception when an entire group has already been pocketed.
Basic Rules
- The Break:
- Break from behind the head string. If no ball is pocketed, at least four object balls must reach a cushion. Balls pocketed on the break do not assign groups.
- Ball Assignment:
- After the break, legally pocket your called ball in the called pocket to claim its group; your opponent gets the other. A miss or foul before assignment leaves the table open.
- Taking Turns:
- Legally pocket your called ball in the called pocket to continue. A miss or foul passes play to your opponent. A declared safety passes the turn even if a ball is pocketed.
Ball Types
- Cue Ball (White):
- The only ball players strike. Use it to pocket other balls.
- Solids (1-7):
- Seven solid-colored balls. Yellow(1), Blue(2), Red(3), Purple(4),
Orange(5), Green(6), Maroon(7).
- Stripes (9-15):
- Seven balls with white stripes. Same color pattern as solids.
- 8-Ball (Black):
- Both players aim for this ball last. Clear your group, then call and pocket the 8-ball on a later shot. Break-shot pocketing has separate rules.
How to Shoot
- Aiming:
- Click and drag to adjust the cue direction. The guide line shows the cue
ball's predicted path.
- Power:
- Pull back the cue for more power. The power meter shows exact strength.
- Shooting:
- Release the mouse to execute the shot. Timing and precision are key.
Spin (English)
- Top Spin:
- Hit the top of the cue ball to make it roll forward after contact. Great
for positioning.
- Back Spin:
- Hit the bottom to make the ball come back after contact. Effective for
distance control.
- Side Spin:
- Hit the sides to change the angle off the rail. Enables difficult shots.
Foul Rules
- Scratch:
- Pocketing the cue ball is a foul.
- Miss:
- Failing to hit any ball with the cue ball is a foul.
- Wrong Ball:
- Once assigned, hit your own group first while any remain. Hitting an opponent’s ball or the 8-ball first is a foul. After clearing your group, hit the 8-ball first on the next shot.
- Cushion after contact:
- If no ball is pocketed, the cue ball or an object ball must reach a cushion after the cue ball contacts an object ball. Otherwise it is a foul.
- Foul Penalty:
- After a standard foul, your opponent may place the cue ball anywhere on the playing surface. Break fouls have separate rules, including placement behind the head string.
Winning Conditions
- Normal Win:
- Clear all seven balls of your group, then legally pocket the 8-ball in the called pocket on a later shot. Do not pocket your last group ball and the 8-ball on the same shot.
- Instant Loss:
- On a shot other than the break, you lose by pocketing the 8-ball early, in an uncalled pocket, or while fouling. Pocketing it on the break has separate rules.
Beginner Tips
- Start with easy shots. Accuracy matters more than power.
- Always think about position for your next shot. Control cue ball placement.
- Use the rails for difficult shots. Bank shots can be very effective.
- Avoid fouls. Sometimes safe play is better than a risky shot.
- Learn spin gradually. Master basic shots before adding spin techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: 8번 공은 언제 넣어야 하나요?
- A: WPA 기준으로 자기 공을 모두 처리한 다음 샷부터 8번을 노립니다. 일반 샷에서 조기 입수하면 패배하며, 브레이크 입수는 예외입니다.
- Q: 프리볼(볼 인 핸드)이란?
- 일반 파울이면 상대가 큐볼을 테이블 위 원하는 위치에 놓습니다. 브레이크 파울에는 헤드라인 뒤 배치 등 별도 규칙이 적용됩니다.
- Q: 브레이크 때 8번 공이 들어가면?
- A: WPA 규칙상 정상 브레이크에서 8번 입수는 자동 승패가 아닙니다. 브레이크한 사람이 8번 재배치 후 계속하기 또는 재브레이크를 선택합니다. 파울과 함께 들어가면 상대가 8번 재배치 후 헤드라인 뒤 프리볼 또는 재브레이크를 선택합니다.
- Q: AI 난이도는 어떻게 다른가요?
- A: 쉬움은 기본 샷만 사용합니다. 보통은 간단한 전략을 사용합니다. 어려움은 스핀과 고급 포지션 플레이를 구사합니다.
- Q: fo 점수란 무엇인가요?
- A: fo는 God Game Platform의 랭킹 점수입니다. 승리하면 올라가고 패배하면 내려갑니다. fo가 높을수록 실력이 높다는 것을 나타냅니다.
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