9 Ball Pool Rules - Points of Contention

Introduction

This page is intended to provide some clarification of misunderstood rules in 9 ball. It is primarily aimed at those new to 9 ball pool in the UK, and players who find themselves in need of clarification for tournament play. These are our interpretation of the official rules. Tournament organisers have the final say in what rules are played in their competition. This page will be updated in light of user feedback.

The Push Out

"On the first shot after a legal break, regardless of whether any balls were potted off the break or who is at the table, a player can opt to play a push out. This means for that one shot only he does not need to hit another ball or cushion, but he does not get to play another shot in that turn even if a ball goes in. If a ball is sunk, then it remains down, unless the 9 ball is sunk, in which case it is re-spotted.
The player must warn his opponent prior to the shot that he is going to play a 'push out'. His opponent then has the choice of playing the next shot or putting the other player back in to play." - from our own rules page

• You do not need to be snookered in order to play a push out
• You do not need to be snookered in order to put your opponent back in after his push out.
• You are not required to hit any other ball or cushion while playing a push out.
• If a ball is potted it stays down, unless it is the 9 ball, in which case it is re-spotted.
• If you play a push out without declaring it first, it is a foul
• Knowing whether the push-out option is open to you is simple - so long as you're at the table and the last shot played was a legal break, then you can choose to play a push out.

Three Fouls Rule

"If a player commits three consecutive fouls, he loses the frame, but only if his opponent reminds him after the second foul. If his opponent is not alert enough to mention it, this rule doesn't apply." - from our own rules page

• The three fouls must occur in the same rack.
• There can be no intervening legal shot between the three fouls, ie the fouls must be committed on the opening shots of three successive visits to the table.

Deliberate Foul

A deliberate foul can be played by either player at any point during a game. This is a widely misunderstood rule in the UK to newcomers, who may see this type of play as unsporting or illegal, as in the sport of snooker. However, with 9 ball pool it is merely another option, or tactic if you wish, especially if you are snookered with little or no chance of getting out of it. You may instead opt to play another ball safe and therefore make the opponent's run out more difficult.

• A player does not have to warn his opponent under any circumstances that he is going to play a deliberate foul.
• If a ball is potted on a deliberate foul then it remains in the pocket unless it is the 9 ball, in which case it is re-spotted.

Jump Shots

• You must strike the cue ball at or above the centre for a jump shot to be legal. Making the cueball jump by digging under it is considered a foul.
• Accidentally making the cueball jump, eg by hitting too low on a draw shot, is not generally considered a foul.

Fouls By Touching Balls

It is a foul to strike, touch or in any way make contact with the cue ball in play or any object balls in play with anything (the body, clothing, chalk, mechanical bridge, cue shaft, etc.)

• This rule applies whether the contact is made intentionally or not.