Regulation Pool Game Rules

Pool, or billiards, is a game enjoyed by many recreational and professional players since it's inception in the 15th century. Once known as the "noble game of billiards," pool has expanded and adapted into a game played in bars, pool halls, and tournaments all over the world, and follows a general set of rules.

  1. Object

    • Pool is played on flat table covered with a cloth, usually green, with rubber bumpers on all four sides of the table. A player uses a pool cue to hit the cue ball into other object balls in hopes of sinking them into one of six pockets found around the table in the rubber cushions.

    Lagging

    • Lagging determines which player will go first, and is done by placing a ball on each side to the table behind and near the head string (quarter of the table closest to the head rail). Players hit their ball at the same time at the foot cushion bouncing it back, and the the ball that's closest to the head cushion gives that player choice over who shoots first.

    Breaking

    • Whoever shoots first must break, meaning they must break up the cluster of balls near the foot rail, by shooting at it from the head string using the cue ball. The type of game being played decides the rules in regard to the cluster, what balls are in play, and what constitutes a foul.

    Calling Shots

    • After the break is made, before the player shoots he or she must call their shot, meaning they have to call what ball they are aiming for, and what pocket they intend to sink said ball. Safety may be called by a player if they don't intend to shoot at any specific ball or pocket.

    Settling

    • After a shot is performed a ball can settle after it appears stopped, and is considered a hazard of play due to imperfections in said ball or the table. If the ball happens to fall into a pocket on account of settling, then said ball will be placed back onto the table at it's original position.

    Referee

    • When playing professionally, a referee's ruling is final, and decides where a is ball repositioned in case of balls settling into pockets, or going off the table. A referee can also determine a stalemate when therehas been no progress in play.