Nine-ball: Rules and How to Play

Hit the lowest number first and pocket the 9 ball.

Setup

Drag on the table to aim. Pull the left power gauge down and release to shoot; pull farther for more power, or move sideways to cancel. Fine aim helps adjust the angle in small steps.
Hit the lowest remaining number first; you may then pocket any numbered ball.
Continue if a ball is pocketed; otherwise change turns.
Scratching, hitting the wrong ball first, missing every ball, having no rail or pocket after contact, or knocking a ball off the table is a foul.
After a foul, the opponent places the cue ball anywhere. Respot the 9 if pocketed on a foul.
Running out of time is also a foul.

Anything the party can change is listed in the house rules table.
Item	Default on this site
Players	2 players (set automatically by the party size)
Turn time limit	None by default (the host can set 30 or 60 seconds)
If someone drops mid-game	Reopening on the same device returns you to your seat. If you do not return, the CPU plays in your place.
Draws	In ranked play, a draw counts as halfway between a win and a loss for your rating.
Source of the rules	Based on the standard reference rules

Rules supervised by Qdan, Inc. (based on the standard reference rules)

Defaults follow the standard reference rules. The party can change these.

Default is this site’s setting. Changeable shows whether the party can change it.
Name	Description	Default	Changeable
Three consecutive fouls lose	Lose after committing three consecutive fouls.	Off	Can be changed
Time per turn	Running out of time gives the opponent ball in hand.	30 seconds	Can be changed
Alternate the first player	Alternate who breaks in the next game.	On	Can be changed

Can I win by pocketing the 9 early?

Yes, if you hit the lowest ball first and commit no foul.

Last updated 2026-10-26 · Run by Qdan, Inc.