2.1 Determining the Break
The player who wins the lag chooses who will break the first rack.
(See 1.2 Lagging to Determine Order of Play.) The standard format is
to alternate the break, but see Regulation 15, Subsequent Break
Shots.
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2.2 Nine Ball Rack
The object balls are racked as tightly as possible in a diamond
shape, with the one ball at the apex of the diamond and on the
foot spot and the nine ball in the middle of the diamond. The
other balls will be placed in the diamond without purposeful or
intentional pattern. (See Regulation 4, Racking / Tapping of
Balls.)
Nine Ball Rack
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2.3 Legal Break Shot
The following rules apply to the break shot:
(a) the cue ball begins in hand behind the head string; and
(b) if no ball is pocketed, at least four object balls must be
driven to one or more rails, or the shot is a foul. (See Regulation
17, Open Break Requirements.)
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2.4 Second Shot of the Rack – Push Out
If no foul is committed on the break shot, the shooter may choose to
play a “push out” as his shot. He must make his intention known to
the referee, and then rules
6.2 Wrong Ball First and
6.3 No Rail
after Contact are suspended for the shot. If no foul is committed on
a push out, the other player chooses who will shoot next.
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2.5 Continuing Play
If the shooter legally pockets any ball on a shot (except a push
out, see 2.4 Second Shot of the Rack – Push Out), he continues at
the table for the next shot. If he legally pockets the nine ball on
any shot (except a push out), he wins the rack. If the shooter fails
to pocket a ball or fouls, play passes to the other player, and if
no foul was committed, the incoming player must play the cue ball
from the position left by the other player.
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2.6 Spotting Balls
If the nine ball is pocketed on a foul or push out, or driven
off the table, it is spotted. (See 1.4 Spotting Balls.) No other
object ball is ever spotted.
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2.7 Standard Fouls
If the shooter commits a standard foul, play passes to his opponent.
The cue ball is in hand, and the incoming player may place it
anywhere on the playing surface. (See 1.5 Cue Ball in Hand)
The
following are standard fouls at nine ball:
6.1 Cue Ball Scratch or off the Table
6.2 Wrong Ball First
The first object ball contacted by the cue ball
on each shot must be the lowest-numbered ball remaining on the
table.
6.3 No Rail after Contact
6.4 No Foot on Floor
6.5 Ball Driven off the Table
The only jumped object ball that is
spotted is the nine.
6.6 Touched Ball
6.7 Double Hit / Frozen Balls
6.8 Push Shot
6.9 Balls Still Moving
6.10 Bad Cue Ball Placement
6.12 Cue Stick on the Table
6.13 Playing out of Turn
6.15 Slow Play
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2.8 Serious Fouls
For
6.14 Three Consecutive Fouls, the penalty is loss of the current
rack. For 6.16 Unsportsmanlike Conduct, the referee will choose a
penalty appropriate given the nature of the offense.
2.9 Stalemate
If a stalemate occurs the original breaker of the rack will break
again. (See 1.12 Stalemate.)
