In 8 Ball Pool you must pot your seven balls (solids or stripes) and then the 8 ball in a pocket you call. Any foul gives your opponent ball in hand, and potting the 8 ball early or in the wrong pocket loses the game. Below are the rules exactly as they work in Miniclip’s game.
The break
- The player who breaks gets another turn if any ball is potted.
- Potting the cue ball on the break is a foul.
Choosing a group
The table is “open” after the break. The first ball you pot legally sets your group: solids (1–7) or stripes (9–15). Your opponent gets the other group.
Legal shot
On every shot the cue ball must hit one of your own balls first. After that contact, a ball must be potted or any ball must touch a cushion.
Fouls
| Foul | Result |
|---|---|
| Cue ball potted (scratch) | Opponent gets ball in hand |
| Hitting the opponent’s ball or the 8 ball first | Ball in hand |
| Not hitting any ball | Ball in hand |
| No ball hits a cushion after contact | Ball in hand |
| Running out of shot time | Ball in hand |
Ball in hand
After a foul, the opponent can place the cue ball anywhere on the table. This is a big advantage, so avoiding fouls is as important as potting balls.
The 8 ball
- You may only shoot at the 8 ball once your group is cleared.
- You must call the pocket by tapping it before the shot.
- You lose if you pot the 8 ball before clearing your group, pot it in a pocket you did not call, or pot the cue ball on the same shot as the 8 ball.
Time limit
Each shot has a timer. Cues with a higher Time stat give you longer to aim. If time runs out, it counts as a foul.
Related guides
- How to play 8 Ball Pool
- Tournaments guide