Ten Ball (10 Ball)
Standardized Rules
Ten ball is played with ten object balls and a cue ball. The ten balls are numbered and shot in order from 1 through 9 and then the 10 ball being last. Except when clearly contradicted by these additional rules, the General Rules of Pocket Billiards apply.
- The object of the game is to pocket all object balls in a lowest to highest order and the ten ball last.
- The player must contact the lowest numbered object ball and make a ball to continue their turn.
- 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 object balls in order and then finally the ten 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 Ten Ball
- The object balls are racked in a triangle at the foot of the table, the first ball on the foot spot and ten ball in the center of the rack (The rack looks like an eight ball rack except for the last row of balls are missing).
- Breaker has cue ball in hand behind the head string.
- To legally break, the player must pocket an object ball or create an open break. When an illegal break occurs, the opposing player has the option to accept the table and take their turn with cue ball in hand behind the head string or to have the balls re-racked and break.
- All balls that are pocketed on a break remain pocketed with the exception of the 10 ball which the incoming player has the option to spot the 10 ball or re-rack.
- If the cue ball is pocketed on the break, the incoming player has ball in hand anywhere on the table.
- It is considered a foul if object balls jump off of the table, as a result all of the object balls are spotted, they also get cue ball in hand.
Legal Shots & Fouls
- All fouls result in ball in hand for the opposing player.
- If object balls are pocketed during the break they stay pocketed.
- If a player fails to contact the lowest numbered object ball or if 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 continues shooting.
- A players turn ends when the object ball is not pocketed in a pocket or a foul is committed during the shot.
- Object balls that jump off the table are spotted, the opposing player receives ball in hand, the shooting players turn ends and they receive a foul or in the case of the ten ball it is considered a loss of the game.
- Pocketing or fouling the cue ball when the 10 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 10 ball is pocketed or driven off of the table is a loss of game.
- The first player to pocket all object balls in lowest to highest order and legally pocket the ten ball wins the game.
- If no foul is committed on the break shot, the shooter may choose to play a “push out” as his shot. If no foul is committed on a push out, the other player chooses who will shoot next. The ten ball pocketed during a Push Out is spotted, without penalty.
- Whenever the shooter is attempting to pocket a ball (except the break) he is required to call shots, the intended ball and pocket must be indicated for each shot if they are not obvious. Details of the shot, such as cushions struck or other balls contacted or pocketed are irrelevant. For a called shot to count, the referee must be satisfied that the intended shot was made, so if there is any chance of confusion, e.g. with bank, combination and similar shots, the shooter should indicate the ball and pocket. If the referee or opponent is unsure of the shot to be played, he may ask for a call.
Variations of Ten 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 ten ball.