9 BALL
9 Ball is the second-most common billiards game, this is usually the main game the professional players play as it requires more though on positioning and needs more knowledge about different shots useable. This is how the game works, there are 9 balls that are played with which are balls 1 to 9, these balls are colored the same way as they are in 8 ball however the 9 ball is the main ball of the game instead. The objective of the game is to be the person who pots the 9 ball as the person who pots it wins. However, you need to score every ball before that in order from 1 to nine before your cue ball can even touch the 9 ball. This means that there is an order for the balls you are allowed to hit with your cue ball, starting from the one ball, you could pot the one ball and then move onto the 2 ball or you can hit a connecting shot which means the one ball hits onto any other ball and pots it; then hit the one ball again. You have to do this for all balls in order to reach the point where you are allowed to directly pot the 9 ball. Another way of potting the 9 ball in order to win is by hitting a connecting shot from the ball you are onto the 9 ball for the 9 ball to go in, this also wins you the game yet is more difficult and less likely since it's not common for an easy connection shot to be executed. The breaking aspect is the same as it is in 8 ball with the cue ball placement and rack placement however the shape of the rack is different as there are less balls, the rack for 9 ball is a diamond shaped rack with the 9 ball being in the very center and the 1 ball being at the top (shown here). There is also a change with the rules of a foul, in 8 ball it is considered a foul if you scratch while pocketing the 8 ball, however in 9 ball, if that happens the 9 ball will just be taken out and put back in the center with the opposing team having the cue ball in hand.
How to play
RULES
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You must hit the cue ball into an object ball for that object ball to go in, you may hit 2 object balls together to hit one into a pocket if you decide to
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The first ball you hit in a turn must be the ball that's turn it is in order Fromm 1 to 9
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When you pot the cue ball it is called a scratch and the opposing player has the ball in hand and can put it wherever he chooses on the table
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When striking at a ball you must have at least one foot on the ground, however when scouting around the table looking for shot positions you may take both feet off the ground if necessary
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When breaking, the cue ball must be behind the second diamond line in length (shown here)
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Dependent on how the match is decided, you may play a game where every pocket must be called before potted into (call where and how you will score) is the pot isn't obvious, while some play with only the 9 ball being called
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When hitting a ball in your group, that ball, a ball it hits into, or your cue ball must touch a rail unless you potted a ball that is in your group into a pocket. If none touch a rail, it will result in a scratch / ball in hand for the opposing player
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Touching a ball with you hands, clothing, or anything other than the tip of your cue will result in a scratch and ballin hand for the opposing player whether it moved or not
Disclaimer:
(click here) To learn 8 ball first