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POOL POOL RULES
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9-Ball Rules

Object
9-ball is played with nine balls numbered 1-9 plus the cue ball. With each shot the cue ball must first contact the lowest ball on the table or it is a foul. A player's turn continues until he misses, fouls, or wins the game by sinking the 9-ball. After a missed shot, the other player must shoot the ball from where it lies unless a foul has occurred, in which case the player has ball in hand. Players are not required to call any shots, including the 9-ball. The game ends when a player legally sinks the 9-ball or when a player fouls out.

The Break
The player who breaks first is randomly chosen. The break alternates in subsequent games. For a break to be legal, the shooter must strike the 1-ball first and either pocket a ball or hit four or more balls to the rail.

Fouls
If a player fouls he loses his turn. No balls are re-spotted with the exception of the 9-ball. After a foul the other player gains ball in hand. The following are considered fouls:

If the first ball contacted by the cue ball is not the lowest ball on the table, this is a foul. If no balls are pocketed and no balls are driven to the rail, this is a foul. An illegal break, as described above, is a foul. If a player fouls on three consecutive shots in a game he loses.

End Game
The game ends when a player legally sinks the 9-ball or when a player forfeits the game as a result of a foul.

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