Game guide · Pool
8-ball: clear your group before you earn the black.
After the break, solids and stripes are assigned. Only after your seven group balls are gone may you legally pocket the 8 for the win.
- 2.54 × 1.27 m
- 9-foot playing surface
- 57.15 mm
- Pool-ball diameter
- 15 plus cue ball
- Object balls and white
- 8 last
- Winning ball
Objective of 8-ball
The object balls are seven solids, seven stripes and the black 8. You win by legally pocketing all seven balls in your assigned group and then the 8 in the called pocket.
The table is open until groups are established. A group is assigned by legally pocketing a called solid or stripe. A random ball falling does not automatically determine ownership.
Rack and legal break
The fifteen object balls are racked tightly in a triangle. The 8 is in the centre, with one solid and one stripe in the two rear corners. The apex ball sits on the foot spot.
For a legal WPA break, at least one object ball must be pocketed or at least four object balls must reach cushions. The break is not a normal called shot. Special cases such as an 8 on the break or an illegal break have specific choice and spotting procedures; Carambole resolves them through its match logic.
Open table, call shot and continuing
After the break, the table remains open until a player legally pockets a called solid or stripe in the intended pocket. That player must then contact their own group first. Once all seven group balls are gone, the 8 becomes the required first contact.
Obvious shots need little ceremony, but ball and pocket must be unambiguous. Banks, combinations and non-obvious shots are called. A legal called pocket from your group lets you continue.
Fouls and ball in hand
A standard foul awards ball in hand to the opponent. Pocketing the 8 early, with a foul or in the wrong pocket loses the rack rather than merely ending the turn.
- The cue ball enters a pocket: a scratch.
- A legal ball from your group is not contacted first.
- After contact, no ball is pocketed and no ball reaches a cushion.
- The 8 is played while your group is not clear.
- The 8 is pocketed with a foul or in a pocket other than the called pocket.
8-ball light versus official 8-ball
Carambole also contains an accessible training variant called 8-ball light. There are no groups and any numbered ball may be played. A legal pot keeps the turn and the final remaining object ball decides the game.
Light is deliberately not described as a WPA discipline. An early 8 is respotted and ends the turn. Use light to practise potting, pace and cue-ball control; choose official 8-ball for groups, calls, fouls and tactical end play.
| Rule | 8-ball light | Official 8-ball |
|---|---|---|
| Groups | None | Solids or stripes |
| Call shot | Not central | Ball and pocket for non-obvious shots |
| Black 8 | Early 8 is respotted | Early or incorrect 8 loses the rack |
| Objective | Final object ball | Own group, then the 8 |
How Carambole implements 8-ball
Official mode tracks the open table, group assignment, first contact, cushion after contact, call shot, scratch, ball in hand and the win or loss conditions around the 8. The interface shows when a ball and pocket selection is required.
For tournament procedures and rare situations, the current WPA rulebook remains the deciding source. This page teaches a normal rack and makes the training variant's differences explicit.
Sources and verification
Content last verified on 8 August 2026. In official competition, the current governing rulebook takes precedence.
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