Complete guide for new players
8-Ball Billiards (Pool) is played on a table with 15 balls (7 solids, 7 stripes, 1 black 8-ball) and a white cue ball. The goal is to pocket all your balls (stripes or solids) and then legally pocket the 8-ball.
Essential tips
- The group (solids 1-7 or stripes 9-15) is determined by the first ball pocketed after the break
- You must always hit your own group balls first; hitting the opponent's ball first is a foul
- On a foul, the opponent gets ball-in-hand — they can place the cue ball anywhere
- You must pocket the 8-ball in a called pocket to win; pocketing it illegally loses the game
- Aim at the contact point where the cue ball must hit the object ball to send it in the desired direction
- Follow-through is essential — push the cue through the cue ball smoothly, don't jab
🔑 The secret the best players use
The biggest difference between beginner and intermediate pool players isn't shot-making — it's cue ball control. After every shot, always plan where the cue ball will end up, not just whether the object ball goes in.
Practice on BoardGame Battles — Free
BoardGame Battles has Billiards with AI at 3 difficulty levels — perfect for practicing these techniques before facing real players online. Available on Web, Android and iOS. No download required.
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