9 Ball Rules
In 9-ball the rack is placed in a diamond shape, with the 9 ball in the center of the rack. As long as the one ball is the first ball positioned and the 9 ball is in the center of the rack the other balls can be placed in any configuration. One player will break and if they do not strike the one ball first it is a foul and the other player has the choice to re-rack and break or continue as if a foul was committed as they can place the cue ball anywhere on the table. If the 9 ball is hit in on a legal break it is an automatic win for the player breaking.
The players take turns shooting until one misses a shot and does not sink a ball, commit a foul, or sinks the 9 ball. If there is a foul committed the players turn is over and the other player gets "ball in hand" which means they can place the cue ball anywhere on the table before the shoot. There are different rules for fouls but the more common ones are not hitting the lowest ball on the table first, sinking a ball that is not the lowest on the table, and sinking the cue ball. After ever foul the other player gets "ball in hand."
In 9-ball for every shot the player must hit the cue ball to strike the lowest ball on the table before it hits any other ball. If another ball is hit first it is a foul. It does not mean that the balls have to be hit in order but the lowest ball on the table has to be hit first. Generally the balls are sunk in order from the lowest to the highest. You can hit at the lowest ball first in order to hit another ball in. In 9-ball the 9 ball is the last ball on the table and whatever player sinks the 9 ball is the winner. At any point during the game you can hit the lowest ball on the table into the 9 to try to sink the 9 ball. If it is sunk it is an automatic win. A player wins 9 ball by sinking the 9 ball at any time during the game by either hitting it in with the cue ball or using a combination to hit the 9 ball in.
