The Game Overview
Review the official ABL 8-ball rules for racking, breaking, open table group selection, called shots, and team coaching guidelines.
All balls are racked tightly in a triangle:
The opposing player always racks for the breaker.
If the rack is not legal and the opposing team does not correct it before the break, the rack is considered legal once the break is taken.
The first break of each player match is determined by lagging. The lag winner breaks first. After that, breaks alternate between the two players for the rest of the match, regardless of who won the previous game.
Players break from behind the head string. The opening break must be made with the base of the cue behind the head string.
Players must break hard and make a best effort to send at least four object balls to a cushion. Safety breaks are not allowed.
Safety break procedure
If a team believes a player intentionally safety broke, the opposing team should get an impartial witness for that player’s next break. If the player intentionally safety breaks again and the witness verifies it, the opposing player gets the break for the remainder of that player match.
Players with a 4+ handicap may have someone from their team break for them during player matches and playoffs.
If the 8 ball is pocketed on the opening break without a foul, the breaker wins the game.
If the breaker scratches, pockets the cue ball, or sends the cue ball off the table, the incoming player has two choices:
If the incoming player has no placements available, they must shoot from behind the head string.
If a player miscues or does not hit a ball on the break, they may re-break without a foul. If the cue ball gently touches the rack on a miscue, the player may re-rack and break again without a foul.
If no ball is made on the break, the table is open and the incoming player may choose solids or stripes.
If one group is made on the break, the breaker has that group. For example, if the breaker pockets only a solid ball, the breaker has solids and the opponent has stripes.
If the breaker pockets at least one ball from each group, the breaker has choice of group. If the breaker then fails to legally pocket a ball, the table stays open for the incoming player.
Once a player legally pockets a ball from one group, that group belongs to that player for the rest of the game.
Players must call every shot unless the shot is obvious. A called shot must identify the ball and pocket. It does not matter whether the ball reaches the pocket by kiss, carom, or another legal route, as long as the cue ball contacts the shooter’s group first and the called ball goes in the called pocket.
Failing to call a non-obvious shot is a foul. The incoming player receives ball in hand anywhere on the table. This is not a handicap placement.
If a player pockets one of their balls in the wrong pocket, the ball stays down, the player loses the turn, and the opponent shoots. This is not a foul.
Combination shots are allowed if the cue ball contacts one of the shooter’s balls first.
Once a player misses a shot or commits a foul, the opposing player takes the table.
If a player accidentally touches any ball other than the cue ball, there is no penalty. The ball should be moved back to its original position, or the opposing team can choose to leave it where it came to rest.
If a player accidentally touches the cue ball, it is a foul and the incoming player receives ball in hand anywhere on the table.
Coaching is allowed once per rack for each player, at that player’s option. Team timeouts should be no longer than two minutes.
If matches run longer than the allowed time, the team captain or referee can speed up play at their discretion.
Any close shot or questionable circumstance should be watched by an impartial witness before the shot is taken. The opposing team has the right to stop play and request a witness or record the shot with a smartphone.
If the opposing team does not get a witness before a close shot, the shooter gets the decision. If a witness is requested and the player shoots before the witness is available, the shooter loses the turn regardless of the shot outcome.
