Billiards
Rules

Break — you may break from anywhere behind the head string. If any ball is potted, you may choose which group of balls to play (solids or stripes). You don't have to play solids just because one dropped first if they're awkwardly placed.

Push the balls in the triangle firmly together so they touch (especially the front ball) — they'll spread nicely.

Ball placement: The black ball goes in the middle of the middle row. A solid and a stripe occupy the two back corners. The apex ball is placed on the spot — not the black ball!

Calling shots — before every shot you must call which ball you intend to pot and into which pocket (including combinations off other balls).

No flukes — if your called ball goes into a different pocket, or a different ball drops but not the called one, the turn passes to your opponent. Any opponent's balls potted in the process don't count. Potting the black prematurely means losing the game.

The eight ball — you must call the eight ball too, but you can nominate any pocket you like. Don't waste time chasing the eight ball to the "far pocket".

If you're not very accurate and keep putting balls in the wrong pockets, skip rule 2 (don't call your balls during the game) — but always call the eight ball.

Foul — after a foul, your opponent places the cue ball anywhere on the table and plays in any direction (one shot only). After the break only, the cue ball is placed anywhere in the kitchen and must be played out of the kitchen. Most Common Fouls:

• You don't hit your own ball first
• The cue ball is potted (scratch)
• After contact, no ball reaches a cushion or a pocket
• You touch any ball other than with a proper stroke
• Any ball leaves the table
• Push shot — the tip stays in contact with the cue ball at the moment it touches a coloured ball (you'll notice the cue ball travels forward at the same speed as the coloured ball). If the cue ball is close to the target ball, use a short sharp tap or play from above so the cue ball stops or rolls back.

Object of the game — 9-ball is played with balls numbered 1 through 9. The aim is to pot them in ascending numerical order. The player who pots the 9-ball wins.

Unlike 8-ball, the 9-ball may be potted by combination — knocking it into a pocket off another ball wins the game immediately.

Rack — balls are racked in a diamond shape: the 1-ball at the top on the foot spot, the 9-ball in the centre of the diamond, the rest in any order. Break from anywhere behind the head string — you must hit the 1-ball first.

If the 9-ball drops on the break, you win the game. If you can't reasonably start after the break, you may call a "push-out" (ask an experienced player to explain).

During play — in 9-ball you don't call shots. You must always hit the lowest-numbered ball on the table first. If any other coloured ball then drops, you continue your turn.

Use this to your advantage: if you can't pot your current ball directly, hit it into another ball that's sitting near a pocket — ideally the 9-ball.

Foul — after a foul your opponent places the cue ball anywhere on the table and plays in any direction. Unlike 8-ball, this applies after the break too. If the 9-ball is potted on a foul shot, it is returned to the foot spot and play continues. Most Common Fouls:

• You don't hit the lowest-numbered ball on the table first
• The cue ball is potted
• After contact, no ball reaches a cushion or a pocket
• You touch any ball other than with a proper stroke
• Any ball leaves the table
• Push shot