This article discusses some of the more common games and their basic rules.

The basic rules of all common pool games are established, maintained by, and available online at the Billiard Congress of America. Note, that for any game, there are two sets of rules that apply; the General Rules which applicable to all pool games, and the specific rules for each individual game. If you need to find a particular rule, always search the rules for the specific game first, then if you do not find it there, it will most likely be covered in the General Rules.

Important Note: The official rules are sometimes pre-empted by local or house rules. Before entering into a serious match or tournament, always check the house rules for any local variances. Also note that there are other organizations and sanctioning bodies that publish their own rules. Such rules are often vastly different from the official BCA rules.

9-ball
9-ball is the current championship tournament game for pocket billiards. The balls are racked in a diamond shape with the 1-ball at the apex and the 9-ball in the center. The location of other balls in the rack is not important. 9-ball is a rotation game, so the lowest number ball must be struck first on every shot or it is a foul. The object is pocket the 9-ball on any legal shot and win. In 9-ball, you also win if you pocket the 9-ball on a legal break. Any scratch or foul affords your opponent ball-in-hand anywhere on the table.

Find the complete rules for all games published online at Billiard Congress of America.

8-ball
8-ball is unquestionably the most popular game in pool. It is the game most people learn first and it is often the only game being played in taverns and bars. 8-ball is played as a two person game or a four person game with two people on each team. All 15 balls are racked with the 8-ball in the center. Other balls should be racked so that stripe and solid balls alternate positions.

One person, or team, is assigned the solid balls (1-7) and the opponent(s) are assigned stripes (9-15). The object of the game is to pocket all of your assigned balls and then pocket the 8-ball to win.

The rules of 8-ball vary greatly, even within local areas. Be sure to check the house rules before entering into any serious competition.

Straight Pool (14.1 Continuous)
This is the game on which all World Championships were once based. It is still favored by many, and often considered to be the best of all pool games. To begin a game, all 15 balls are racked normally, The numerical position of balls in the rack is unimportant. The opening break is determined by lag or lot with the winner normally passing the break to his opponent, since the initial break is a disadvantage.

In straight pool, you can shoot at any ball on the table but you must call the ball and the pocket in which you intend to make it. If the ball is pocketed as called, it and each other ball that is pocketed counts as one point. If the ball is pocketed elsewhere, all balls made on the shot must be spotted and you loose your turn.

When only one ball remains on the table, all pocketed balls are racked with the apex position vacant and play continues. Hence the name 14.1 continuous. A game is won by reaching a specific number of points. Generally straight pool games are played to 50, 100, or 150 points.

There is much to learn to play straight pool well, but many feel it is worth it because it encompasses all of the important aspects required to play any game well. If you want to learn straight pool, ask around to find some local players -- they are generally more than happy to introduce new players to the game.

One Pocket
One Pocket is a game that is favored by many better players. More often than not, it involves betting. It combines the playing skills of pool with the strategy of chess. All fifteen balls are racked normally. The breaker has his choice of corner pockets behind the rack and the opponent has the other corner pocket. Points are scored by pocketing balls in your assigned pocket. All other pocketed balls are spotted. The first player to pocket 8 balls in his assigned pocket wins the game.

Since wagering if often involved in one-pocket games, it is commonly handicapped based on the level of the players. For example, one player may have to make 8 balls to win where a lesser play may only be required to make 4. This would be referred to as an 8-4 game. Any agreed upon combination of balls-to-win is acceptable so long as the total is 15 or less, otherwise it would be possible for all the balls to be pocketed before either player won.

Cut Throat
Cut Throat is a game for three players. Each player is assigned a group of balls, either 1-5, 6-10, or 11-15. The object is pocket all of the other players' balls. Once a player's balls are off the table, he is out of the game. A player wins by being the only one with balls left on the table.

Although, I have never seen a set of official rules for Cut Throat, you may be able to find them somewhere on the Internet. The question that often arises is what happens when a player scratches. Some play that when a player scratches, a ball for each opponent gets spotted, thus a player that was out of the game is now back in by virtue of the fact that he has a ball on the table. Others play that when you are out, you are out for good, thus when a player scratches, only a ball for the remaining opponent is spotted. Decide in advance to avoid arguments.

Many leagues, tournaments, and pool rooms subscribe to rules other than those published by the BCA. When in doubt, always ask which rules are in effect.

I have recently learned that there a many local customs regarding playing 9-ball in casual (non-tournament) matches. These involve whether it is appropriate to ride the 9 or invoke the 3 foul rule. See what you think about these ideas.

In the room where I have been playing this past year, casual play involves a gentlemen's version of 9-ball. You do not ride the 9--unless it is your only shot, and you never invoke the three foul rule. It is not uncommon for a player to apologize if they accidentally slop the nine in. This is not written down anywhere, it is just the local custom. People who constantly ride the 9 or, God forbid, invoke the 3 foul rule, are quietly ostracized from the small group of regular players.

A couple of us were talking about this one day, and I questioned whether this was the smart approach. After all, I reasoned, if we are practicing for tournament play, why not practice the way we will actually play? How do you practice making combination shots on the 9-ball, if you don't take those opportunities when presented? If you ignore the 3 foul rule in practice, what are the chances you will overlook it in a tournament? If there is not penalty for three fouls in casual play, how do practice for that kind of pressure when something is on the line. Everyone agreed I was probably right, but nothing changed--we went right back to playing gentlemen's 9-ball. I never brought it up again.

I have since learned that this same scenario is common in many other parts of the country. It's as if there are two separate codes of conduct--one for serious pool and one for casual play. Actually, I can see both sides of this coin. While it seems unnecessary to always go for the kill when there is nothing on the line, if we are practicing for the real thing, shouldn't we practice the way we intend to play? I will admit that I still haven't formed any clear cut decision on this topic.

Oh well, I guess I'll just go with the flow.

The term "riding the 9" means any attempt to pocket the 9-ball when there are other numbered balls on the table.

If you are looking to add a little spice to you 8-ball game, try this challenging variation of the basic 8-ball rules.

Last Pocket 8-ball is a new twist on an old game. It is played with the same rules you currently use for 8-ball, but to win, you must pocket the 8-ball in the same pocket where your last object ball was made. If you have stripes and pocketed your last striped ball in the right side pocket, you can only win by pocketing the 8-ball in the right side pocket. Likewise, if your opponent pockets your last object ball, that is where you must pocket the 8-ball. Tricky, eh?

Last pocket 8-ball is a new twist on an old game. Try it. You may just like it!

It's a very simple rule change, but adds a whole new dimension to the game. The strategy of the game can change considerably. For example:

1. You may want to choose your run out pattern so the last object ball offers good position to make the 8 in the same pocket.

2. If your opponent is close to running out, you may want to intentionally change the position of the 8-ball, hopefully while pocketing one of your own.

3. If you are at the table and your opponent has only the 8-ball left, it may be wise to move the 8 rather than pocket a ball.

4. When playing the 8-ball, take a tip from one-pocket players and plan to leave the ball close to the pocket if you should miss the shot.

I have never been an 8-ball fan, perhaps because I haven't played it that much, but Last Pocket 8-ball is a game I really enjoy. Give it a try!

I want to encourage anyone reading this to explore the wonderful world of one-pocket. Ya I know, it's the game played by the old guys in the back, or the guys that are way to good to waste they're time with the rest of us, but it really is a very cool game.

One-pocket is much different than traditional 8-ball, 9-ball, and straight pool. It has been described as a cross between pool and chess. That may be pretty accurate--it is definitely a thinking game, and relatively slow-paced compared to other pool games.

The beauty of one-pocket is that it requires you to slow down and think about everything! Defense is every bit as important as offense and you have to consider the potential benefits and riska of every ball on the table, both to you and your opponent. One guy I play with says he doesn't like one-pocket but it sure does help his 9-ball game because it reinforces the value of thinking each shot through.

You can find the rules to one-pocket on the BCA web site (click Play , then Game Rules ), but the best way to learn one-pocket is to play with someone who knows the game. There are many strategies involved that are not apparent from reading the rules. If you can't find a local one-pocket player, there are several video tapes on the market specific to one-pocket.

In many areas of the country, one-pocket is almost exclusively a money game. So if you ask someone if they want to play one-pocket, the next logical question is "how much?" If you are just learning or don't intend to gamble, you may want to make that point clear so there is no confusion about your intentions.

Have you seen any ghosts lately. Well, there is always one with you when you're practicing by yourself. Why not ask if he wants a game? But be careful, he shoots a pretty good stick.

If you haven't heard of playing the ghost, don't worry. It isn't about a bunch of pool players who have formed a new cult. In fact, it is technique employed by many of the top pros, and it is very simple.

Playing the ghost is used by many players for 9-ball practice, but can be adapted to other games as well. Here is how it's done.

Playing the Ghost is a great practice technique that help simulate tournament pressure and puts some competition in your practice routines.

Advanced & Pro Level Ghost Play
Playing 9-ball, rack and break as usual. Now, take ball-in-hand and run the table. If you do, you win. If you don't the ghost wins. Race to any number you like. When you beat the ghost in a race to 5 or 7, you are really playing well!

If that is a little too challenging for your level of play, here are some variations.

Beginner & Intermediate Ghost Play
Playing 9-ball, rack and break as usual. Now, take ball-in-hand and try to run the table. Give yourself an additional number of ball-in-hand opportunities in the event you miss; beginners might start with 4, intermediate with 2. As you progress, lower the number of ball-in-hand opportunities.

I also like to reward myself with ball-in hand if I do not have a shot but play a good safety. This encourages and rewards good safety decisions as an alternative to just taking pot shots.

Regardless how you choose to play, the ultimate objective is to run out and sink the 9-ball to win.

Other Games
As you can probably see, ghost play can be easily modified for use with 8-ball, straight pool, or one pocket, if you begin each game with a full break.

Try it for yourself. And be sure to keep of record so you can chart your progress. Oh, by the way, his nickname is Casper.

You're not afraid of ghosts, are you?!

Is straight pool (14.1 continuous) dead, or is that just an ugly rumor that we have all come to accept?

I will admit that I am perplexed by the constant talk of straight pool being dead, or at least in a serious coma. I would estimate that half of all the pool players I know say they love straight pool. But then they add, "But nobody plays it any more". Are they not talking to each other or is there some master plan to eradicate straight pool from the face of the earth.

Granted, most of my experience is in pool rooms. The bar scene may be quite different. But I will bet I could walk into any pool room in the country and ask for a show of hands:

"How many here know how to play straight pool?" About 50% would raise their hands.

"How many of you would rather be playing straight pool?" About 30% would keep their hands in the air.

"How many of you are playing straight pool right now?" All hands would be lowered.

If you frequent any of the internet pool forums, you have probably seen similar discussions. In the same breath, vast numbers of players profess their love for straight pool, and then immediately bemoan its death. Apparently there is some cosmic law that requires us to combine both observations in the same sentence.

Pundits claim that 14.1 died when it was replaced by 9-ball as the championship game and was no longer televised, but oddly, this scenario doesn't apply to one-pocket. One-pocket is played in the vast majority of pool rooms in the country, but it has never been a championship game and never, to my knowledge, been covered on TV. One-pocket is alive and well simply because everyone knows it is. Anyone who plays 1P knows who else plays and isn't afraid to ask for a game.

Somewhere along the line someone proclaimed straight pool to be dead and we all believed them. Instead of saying "hell no, we won't go!", we all switched to 9-ball. Perhaps, instead of automatically racking the balls for the favorite house game, we should simply ask our opponent if they would like a game of straight? Maybe we can kill this ugly rumor before it becomes truth!