Seven Ball (7 Ball)
Standardized Rules
Seven ball is played with seven object balls and a cue ball. These object balls are numbered 1 - 7. Except when clearly contradicted by these additional rules, the General Rules of Pocket Billiards apply.
- The object of the game is to pocket all six balls and then legally pocket the seven ball.
- The object balls need to be pocketed in order.
- If any ball is pocketed during a legal shot, the player's turn continues until the player misses, fouls or wins the game by pocketing all of the balls and then finally the seven ball.
- When a player's turn ends due to a foul, the incoming player has cue ball in hand anywhere on the table.
Racking & Breaking for Seven Ball
- The object balls can be racked in a special circular rack or typically you can use a triangular rack at the foot of the table. The one ball is the apex and the balls increase numerically 1 - 6 (clockwise in a circle) with the seven ball in the middle of the circle.
- Breaker has cue ball in hand behind the head string.
- To legally break, the player must pocket an object ball or make an open break or a break where the balls are spread fairly well and many touch the rails. When an illegal break occurs, the opposing player has the option of either fouling their opponent or having the balls re-racked and playing the opening break shot.
- If the cue ball is pocketed on the break, the incoming player has ball in hand behind the head string and if the lowest numbered object ball is behind the head string then the ball must be spotted.
- It is considered a foul if an object ball jumps off of the table, therefore, the object ball is spotted.
- If the seven ball is pocketed on the break the breaking player wins the game. If the seven ball jumps off the table it is spotted and it is considered a foul.
Legal Shots & Fouls
- All fouls result in ball in hand for the opposing player.
- If a player fails to contact the lowest numbered object ball or any ball fails to contact a rail after contacting the object ball, it is considered a foul and the opposing player is given cue ball in hand anywhere on the table.
- At any time during the game, if the opposing player does not call a foul before the next shot is made (cue ball touching the object ball), the foul is dismissed and the player turn continues.
- A players turn ends when the object ball is not pocketed or a foul is committed during the shot.
- Object balls that jump off the table are spotted and the shooting players turn ends.
- Pocketing or fouling the cue ball when the 7 ball is legal object ball is not a loss of game. In this case, the incoming player is given cue ball in hand.
- Pocketing or fouling the cue ball when the 7 ball is pocketed or driven off of the table is a loss of game.
- The first player to pocket all object balls in the player's designated group of pockets and legally pocket the seven ball wins the game.
- Missing the 7 ball when it is the legal object ball is a loss of game.
Variations of Seven Ball
Some players play with additional rules or variations of games for any given reason. Some intend to make it fun or more challenging and others to make it fair when the difference in playing ability is significant. Below are some of the variations we've heard about. Please contact us if you know of additional variations to seven ball.
- Players of unequal ability may be handicapped by assigning them more or less pockets in which they can play the 7 ball. It is suggested that the more skilled players shoot the 7 ball into the side pocket on their side of the table. players may also agree that the 7 ball can be pocketed anywhere on the table.