To play 8 Ball Pool, you pot all seven of your balls (solids or stripes) and then pot the black 8 ball in the pocket you call. You aim by dragging around the cue ball, set power with the cue slider on the left, and add spin by tapping the cue ball icon. This guide covers every control and the habits that win early matches.
The goal of the game
Each match is one player against another. After the break, the first ball you legally pot decides your group: solids (1–7) or stripes (9–15). Clear your group, then pot the 8 ball in the pocket you select. Potting the 8 ball early, or in the wrong pocket, loses the game.
Controls
- Aim: drag your finger anywhere on the table to rotate the cue. For fine aim, use the slider strip at the right side of the screen.
- Power: pull the cue down on the power bar on the left and release to shoot. More power is not always better: it makes the cue ball harder to control.
- Spin: tap the white ball icon in the corner and move the dot. Top spin makes the cue ball follow forward, back spin (draw) pulls it back, side spin changes the angle after hitting a cushion.
- Guideline: the line shows where the object ball will travel. In higher rooms the guideline gets shorter.
How to break
Use near-full power and hit the front ball of the rack straight on, or place the cue ball slightly to one side for a better angle. A strong break spreads the balls and often pots one, giving you the next turn.
5 beginner habits that win matches
- Plan two shots ahead. Before you shoot, decide where the cue ball should stop for your next shot.
- Use medium power. Most shots need 30–60% power. Soft shots keep the cue ball in control.
- Clear problem balls early. Balls stuck on a cushion or next to the 8 ball get harder later.
- Play safe when you have no shot. Leave the cue ball behind other balls so your opponent has no clear shot.
- Do not leave the 8 ball blocked. If your last ball and the 8 ball are both easy, you can finish the rack in one turn.
Fouls
A foul gives your opponent the cue ball “in hand”, meaning they can place it anywhere. Common fouls: potting the cue ball, hitting the opponent’s ball first, not hitting any ball, and no ball touching a cushion after contact. See the full 8 Ball Pool rules.
Where to play first
Start in the lowest-entry city (London) until you win consistently. Moving up too fast is the fastest way to lose coins. Use Practice mode offline to learn spin without risking anything.