Pool Rules

Here are the latest billiard, snooker, and pool rules that we've published. More coming soon.

Pool Rules - Rules for Pool and Billiard Games

Find the game that you want to learn from the list below. If you are a beginner, you will want to reference the general rules of pocket billiards, since they apply to all billiard games unless specifically contradicted by that individual game's rule set. The pool rules are categorized in to the common classes of cue sport games.

Question about pool rules? Ask in the Pool Rules Forums

Pool Rules Forums

This section is all about the rules of pool, billiards, and snooker. Whether you are a beginner pocket billiards player, or an experienced billiard aficionado, you will find the pool rules that you are looking for here in the pool rules section. In some parts, we have simplified and explained various rules of pocket billiards and have re-written some in a way that is easy for the novice billiard player to comprehend. We have also given some variations of the official rules that can make the game more enjoyable as you are learning to play.

Also for the novice, we have inserted some illustrations to give a clearer understanding of the official rules. If there are any terms that you do not understand, look them up in our billiard glossary section.

To supplement each of the pool rules, we have scoured the internet for various discussions about interpretations of the official pool rules for your advanced reading pleasure. Where possible, I have given credit to those whose ideas have been used in my discussions. I will also be posting feeds from the BCA and other sources on any proposed or actual billiard rule changes.

Finally, you will find articles outlining various local variations of billiard rules or snooker rules, as well as some anecdotal discussion on what some call "bar pool rules" or "house pool rules." These will outline the different rules and variations that some players throw in to make their games play better for the novice, or to simply make their billiard play more interesting.

The rules of billiards vary from game to game, and from hall to hall, but the generic pool game remains relatively similar in various locales across the world.

We've got about 50 more sets of different billiard game rules coming shortly.

Pool Rules

• Title: Pool Rules
• Author: billiardsforum (Billiards Forum)
• Published: 1/1/2006 6:00:22 AM
• Last Updated: 3/15/2018 8:39:46 AM
• Last Updated By: billiardsforum

Pool Rules Comments

1. Dennis from AB, Canada on 2/21/2008 9:47:40 PM

   I'm trying to find the billiard rules for the game of skittles.

   Can you help me?

2. billiardsforum from Halifax, NS on 3/11/2008 8:55:21 PM

   @Dennis - At first I thought you might have been talking about rules for how to play Bar Billiards, but realized you probably were looking for cue sport games played with a set of skittle pins and skittle game peas.

   I think some folks have posted rules for a few variations of the rules for how to play skittle pool with the pins (aka skittles) and peas (aka pills):

   • Billiard Skittles Pool Rules
   • How to Play Canadian Skittles Pool Rules

   If you learn of any other billiard games played with skittles, please comment below with the original rules.

3. Bernie from Menomonee Falls, WI on 5/28/2008 9:26:05 AM

   Do you have any rules on how to play last pocket 8 ball?

   It is a pool game where the 8 ball has to go into the pocket where you made your last ball.

4. ScratchBall from Portland, OR on 7/8/2008 8:11:50 PM

   Is it possible to get the rules for ScratchBall billiards listed here?

5. billiardsforum from Halifax, NS on 7/11/2008 10:19:21 PM

   @Bernie - Yes, you are describing Last Pocket 8-Ball. The rules for how to play last pocket 8 ball are posted above.

   @scratchball - Not a problem, the scratchball pool rules have been added to the list above, along with the blurb about how scratchball billiards came about.

6. terrie4321 from Fairbanks, AK on 11/21/2008 1:07:14 AM

   I would like to see the **rules for English Billiards** added. Also, I would like to see a set of rules for adapting English Billiards to an American pool table. As you most probably know, English Billiards is played on a standard snooker table. In fact, I have a copy of the rules for English Billiards, and I have written up an adaption for playing on an American pool table. Would you like to have me email a copy of them to you?

7. Scottie from Gallatin, TN on 12/11/2008 2:36:09 PM

   Can you put the rules for Amos and Andy billiards game on here? We have the Amos & Andy board, but can't find the rules for it anywhere.

8. billiardsforum from Halifax, NS on 12/11/2008 8:46:05 PM

   @Scottie - As it turns out, another user sent me a published copy of the Amos & Andy billiard game rules and some other Amos and Andy pool table game stuff.

   I have since posted the Amos and Andy rules as well as some plans to help you build an Amos and Andy board.

   • Rules for Amos and Andy Board
   • Amos Andy Billiard Board Plans
9. Vasu from Ambala, Haryana on 3/28/2009 2:58:46 AM

   Are there any good videos showing the rules of billiards?

   If so, can you send them to me?

10. Alino from South Africa on 5/26/2009 6:57:07 AM

    Can you please send me the new rules of pocket billiards (pool), and snooker separately? I am talking about 15 balls.

    These rules must be specified for two players, and include the faults and fouls, and what leads to the game being over (when does a player win or lose the game). I would like to have those billiard rules sent to me by email if possible, so that I can help the friends to perform according to those new rules.

11. The Kid from Kelowna, BC on 12/27/2010 2:22:58 PM

    Can you please tell me where I would find the rules for the billiard game with two cue balls and one red ball (two white balls and one red ball)?

12. billiardsforum from Halifax, NS on 12/30/2010 11:52:15 AM

    @The Kid - The billiard game you are thinking of that is played with a red ball and two white balls is Carom billiards (or French Billiards).

13. Ian from Indonesia on 10/27/2011 6:41:59 PM

    I'm still not really clear about the billiard rules for how to play 9 ball and the rules for how to play 10 ball as they are written above. Specifically on whether or not jump shots are allowed.

    Would you mind sending me the billiard rules that I want?

14. Steve Clark from Sevenoaks, Kent on 11/12/2011 4:22:09 AM

    Have you a set of "diamond 9" pool rules?

15. billiardsforum from Halifax, NS on 11/20/2011 2:11:55 PM

    @Ian - Not sure exactly what you are looking for, but you should find everything you need in those individual rules you referenced. Whatever isn't there, you fall back to the general rules of pocket billiards.

    @Steve Clark - I'm unfamiliar any pocket billiard games called "diamond 9". Can you provide an further info that might help me dig up the rules?

16. tezzer from Perth, Western Australia on 2/4/2012 4:50:56 AM

    Can you tell me about the rules for how to play 8 ball pool?

    Please send me the rules, thanks.

17. a1b1x1z1 from United States on 12/12/2014 12:50:16 PM

    I've submitted "The GUIDE TO: Gentleman Jim's (Strict) Rules", a set of rules for "strict" 8-ball.

18. billiardsforum from Halifax, NS on 12/18/2014 1:45:19 AM

    @a1b1x1z1 - Thanks for these! The rules are published under Strict 8-Ball Rules (Gentleman Jim's Version).

19. Moves on 6/8/2016 10:07:00 AM

    I did not see rules for playing "Baseball Pocket Billiards".

20. yeedoc from Monterey, CA on 7/4/2016 10:41:22 PM

    What are the rules for a coin-op billiard game called "50 Million"?

    Does anyone know of, or have a copy of the rules for this pool game? If so, can you post them?

21. billiardsforum from Halifax, NS on 7/9/2016 5:26:00 AM

    @Moves - Added rules for baseball pocket billiards per your request.

    @yeedoc - We've done extensive searching on Google and other sources, and couldn't find a single reference to a coin-op game called "50 Million". If you have any further information about the game, feel free to send it along.

22. Luis Carranza from Tucson, AZ on 11/13/2021 3:41:21 PM

    Where can I find printable posters with golf pool rules and snooker rules?

    I own and operate a billiard parlor, Tucson Billiards in Tucson, Arizona. We have four 5' x 10' professional 3-cushion billiard tables, one 6' x 12' snooker table, and three 4.5' x 9' pool tables.

    I'd very interested to see if anyone could direct me to a official set of golf game and snooker rules that could be downloaded and posted in my pool hall.

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