Texas Express 9-Ball Rules

Nine-ball is played with a cue ball and nine numbered balls (1-9). The object of the game is to legally pocket the 9 ball. On each shot, the cue ball must first contact the lowest numbered object ball on the table.

Any numbered ball pocketed as a result of a legal shot, whatever its number, permits the player to continue. A 9-ball legally pocketed at any time during the game results in a win for the player. A match ends when one of the players has won the required number of games.

If a player fails to legally pocket a numbered ball, the incoming player must accept the positions of the cue ball and object ball positions on the table. If the outgoing player has fouled, the incoming player may place the cue ball (called "ball-in-hand") anywhere on the table (other than variations during the break).

Numbered balls do not have to be pocketed in numerical order, provided the lowest numbered ball on the table is contacted first. There is no requirement that any shot or pocket be declared prior to shooting.

Each player continues to play until he or she:

1. Fails to legally pocket a numbered ball
2. Fouls
3. Wins the game

The numbered balls are racked in a diamond shape with:

• The one (1) ball (or substituted lowest numbered ball) placed at the top of the diamond on the table's foot spot
• The nine (9) ball placed in the center of the diamond
• The remaining seven balls racked in random order surrounding the nine ball as tightly as possible

This tight position is called "touching," or "frozen."

The opening rack is determined by the outcome of the lag, with the winner of the lag racking and breaking the numbered balls.

The opponent has the right to inspect the rack, but may not request that the numbered balls be arranged in any specific numerical order or placement within the rack.

The tournament director or appointed referee:

• May declare a rack acceptable for play at any time
• Reserves the right to rack at any time
• May select either opponent to rack

Attempting to freeze numbered balls in a particular position by tapping or striking them with the cue ball, another ball, or any foreign object is called ball tapping, and is not permitted at any time, including during practice on a tournament-designated table.

A player may or may not be issued a warning for ball tapping before the infraction is declared a foul. If determined to be a foul, the penalty is the loss of one game per incident.

Only the tournament director reserves the right to tap numbered balls.

Players determine the opening break by lagging. The winner of the lag retains the option to break and rack.

The winner of each game breaks and racks the next game, unless stated otherwise prior to the tournament.

The designated area for breaking and placement of the cue ball is anywhere behind the head string, including being "frozen" to any rail within the head string area. The base of the cue ball determines its accurate location within the head string.

It is the responsibility of the opponent to warn the player breaking (and the player must acknowledge the warning) that the cue ball is past the head string prior to the break.

Breaking with the cue ball past the head string (after the warning and acknowledgement) constitutes a foul. The penalty is:

• Cue ball-in-hand for the opponent (if a legal break occurs, refer to rule 3.4)
• A re-rack and break (if an illegal break occurs, refer to rule 3.5), with the opponent receiving his or her inning at the table

A legal break occurs when:

• The one (1) ball (object ball, or substituted lowest ball on the foot spot) is struck first by the cue ball AND a minimum of four (4) numbered balls are driven to the rail
• OR a numbered ball is legally pocketed

Failure to execute a legal break (refer to rule 3.4) constitutes an illegal break. The foul allows the incoming player to rack and break.

Once the cue ball has been driven or accidentally bumped past the head string by the chalked area of the cue stick tip (with the player in the bridge and stance position), it will be considered an attempt to break.

Foul consequences:

• Foul during any legal break or break attempt: incoming player has cue ball-in-hand
• Foul during any illegal break or break attempt: incoming player racks and breaks

Interference fouls:

• Any attempt by the player to interfere with the path of the cue ball during a break is a foul, even within the head string area
• Interference during a legal break: opponent receives cue ball-in-hand
• Interference during an illegal break: opponent racks and breaks
• Hitting the cue ball more than once during a break attempt is a foul, even within the head string area

Balls driven off the table:

• Any numbered ball driven off the table (off the playing surface and not pocketed) constitutes a foul
• Ball driven off during a legal break: opponent receives cue ball-in-hand
• Ball driven off during an illegal break: opponent racks and breaks
• All numbered balls driven off are considered out of play and will be manually pocketed
• The only numbered ball to be spotted is the nine (9) ball

Cue ball pocketed or off table:

• Cue ball pocketed or driven off without striking the rack: opponent receives the break
• Cue ball leaves table on legal break: opponent receives cue ball-in-hand
• Cue ball leaves table on illegal break: opponent racks and breaks

9-ball spotting: If the foot spot is occupied by a numbered ball, the nine (9) ball will be spotted in the next closest area behind the foot spot on a line (the long string) from the center of the foot spot to the foot rail.

Any attempt to break that results in the cue ball striking a rail before it strikes the rack constitutes a foul.

Any foul occurring prior, during, or after the break is included in the three (3) foul rule and is considered the first foul.

Push out eligibility:

• The player who executes a legal break and pockets a numbered ball has the option to push out on the first shot after the legal break
• If no balls are legally pocketed on the break, the incoming player retains the option to push out

After a legal push out, the incoming player may:

• Accept the position of the cue ball and execute a shot
• Pass (non-execute) the shot attempt and allow the opponent to shoot

During a push out:

• The player may shoot the cue ball to any area on the table by executing a legally attempted shot
• There is no requirement for the cue ball to strike a numbered ball or rail
• There is no requirement to drive any ball to a rail
• Any numbered ball pocketed stays down (except the 9 ball, which is spotted)
• Must be executed by means of a legally stroked shot

Requirements:

• The push out must be declared
• The player must receive acknowledgement from the opponent
• Any illegal shot results in a foul, giving the incoming player cue ball-in-hand
• All rules pertaining to fouls shall apply, regardless of intent, final placement or path of the cue ball or struck numbered balls

For a legal shot:

• The cue ball must strike the lowest numbered object ball on the table first
• Either the cue ball or any other legally struck numbered ball must then strike a rail
• A numbered ball must be pocketed for the shooter to continue play

When the cue ball and lowest numbered ball are frozen together:

• The player may shoot directly through the cue ball with a normal stroke (the normal momentary time commensurate with a stroked shot)
• The frozen balls must be declared and the opponent must acknowledge prior to the shot
• Shooting without declaring and receiving acknowledgement will be considered an illegal push shot

When the cue ball and the lowest numbered ball are barely separated, the player may not shoot directly through the shot if the action causes a push shot or a double hit.

Players should have the tournament director observe any shot where the cue ball and lowest numbered ball are barely separated.

There is no requirement that the cue stick be elevated in an attempt to eliminate the possibility of a push shot or double hit. Refer to rule 5.4 (Push Shot Definition) and rule 5.5 (Double Hit Definition) for clarification.

A push shot may occur when the action of shooting causes the cue ball and the numbered ball being struck to travel at generally the same speed and distance.

A normal stroke is defined by:

• The action of the cue tip striking and not pushing the cue ball
• The time and distance the tip remains on the cue ball, commensurate with a normally executed shot

A push shot constitutes a cue ball-in-hand foul.

A double hit occurs when the action of shooting causes the cue ball to be struck twice (or more) by the cue tip during a single shot.

A double hit is usually caused by the cue ball rebounding off the object ball being struck, causing the cue ball to hit the cue stick tip (or ferrule or shaft) more than once.

A double hit constitutes a cue ball-in-hand foul.

When a player commits a foul:

• The opponent shall receive an inning at the table with cue ball-in-hand (anywhere on the table)
• All pocketed balls stay down, except the nine (9) ball
• All fouls must be declared and acknowledged before the next shot is taken

Foul calls that are not observed by the tournament director are usually decided in favor of the shooter. Players should request that the tournament director observe all potential foul situations.

The tournament director reserves the right to resolve any foul situations by any means necessary and may call for a replay of the game, giving the original breaker the option to rack and break.

The following constitute a cue ball-in-hand foul:

• Pocketing the cue ball
• Illegally pocketing numbered balls
• Driving either the cue ball or numbered balls off the table

Exception: A cue ball scratch on the break (rack not disturbed) is not a ball-in-hand foul (refer to 3.6).

If the first ball struck by the cue ball is not the lowest numbered object ball on the table, it will be considered a cue ball-in-hand foul (except for variations on the break; refer to 3.6).

In the case of a split hit, the judgment favors the shooter.

When a cue ball or any other legally struck ball fails to hit the rail (except during the push out or if a numbered ball is legally pocketed), a cue ball-in-hand foul is declared, favoring the opponent.

A ball is driven to the rail if it touches:

• The cloth on the rail
• A pocket facing
• Pocket liner

If the lowest numbered object ball is frozen to a rail, the player must do one of the following:

1. Drive that object ball to another rail
2. Drive another numbered ball to the rail resulting from a hit initiated by the lowest numbered ball struck
3. Drive the cue ball to another rail
4. Legally pocket a numbered ball

Failure to do any of these results in a cue ball-in-hand foul.

The frozen object ball must be declared and the opponent must acknowledge prior to the shot.

Any action aside from an illegal break that causes any numbered ball to leave the playing surface (excluding legally pocketed balls) results in a cue ball-in-hand foul.

Ball spotting rules:

• All numbered balls stay down except the 9 ball, which is the only ball to be spotted
• Any action (accidental or intentional movement other than a legal shot) causing a numbered ball to be pocketed results in a foul; ball(s) are not spotted
• Intentional movement may be a flagrant foul

If during a legal shot a numbered ball falls into a pocket "by itself":

• It will be replaced in its original position
• If that ball is the lowest numbered ball, all other disturbed numbered balls will be returned to their original positions by the tournament director
• If the balls cannot be repositioned, the game will be replayed, giving the original breaker the right to re-rack and break

Any time the cue ball is driven off the table (except during an illegal break), the opponent receives cue ball-in-hand.

Any action that causes a ball to strike a foreign object (light, bridge, chalk, cue, etc.), even if the ball comes to rest on the playing surface, results in a cue ball-in-hand foul.

A table scratch occurs when the cue ball fails to contact any ball during the course of a shot, and results in a cue ball-in-hand foul (except during a push out or on the break).

The player must keep at least one foot on the floor while shooting. Failure to do so constitutes a cue ball-in-hand foul.

An illegal jump shot occurs when the cue ball is struck below the centerline by the cue stick tip, causing the cue ball to jump or lift above the playing surface (also referred to as scooping or digging under the cue ball).

The penalty is cue ball-in-hand for the opponent.

A miscue is a foul (on any shot) if any part of the cue stick other than the chalked tip comes into contact with the cue ball.

If determined to be a foul, opponent receives cue ball-in-hand.

Shooting while any ball is moving or spinning is a foul. If a foul occurs, opponent receives cue ball-in-hand.

A ball inadvertently settling "by itself" is not considered a moving ball.

The cue ball may not be touched or picked up until all balls have come to rest or have been pocketed.

If the cue ball is picked up or touched while it is in motion, regardless of the intent by the player or the path of the cue ball, the penalty is cue ball-in-hand for the opponent.

Touching by any means or causing the cue ball to move (other than by means of a legally struck shot) is a foul.

If a foul occurs, the opponent receives cue ball-in-hand.

It is a foul to:

• Touch any moving ball
• Allow ball or balls to strike any foreign object

If a foul occurs, opponent receives cue ball-in-hand.

It is not a foul to accidentally move or touch a single numbered ball other than the lowest numbered ball on the table.

A foul results any time the lowest numbered ball is touched in any way.

Cue ball-in-hand placement: The cue ball may not contact any numbered ball when placed on the table, or a foul results.

If a single numbered ball is moved prior to the shot:

• It may be replaced in its original position only by the opponent
• The opponent may leave the ball in the moved position (leave lie)

If two or more numbered balls are moved prior to the shot:

• An automatic foul results
• The opponent has the option to reposition any or all moved balls to their original places
• Or leave them as-is (leave lie)

The balls may never be replaced by the shooter without permission from the opponent, or a foul results.

Moving a single numbered ball during a shot that causes it to interfere with a legally struck numbered ball or cue ball results in a foul.

If the general area vacated by the moved ball may have affected a shot (by a legally struck numbered ball, the cue ball, or the path of either or both), a foul results.

Opponent options:

• Replace the moved numbered ball to its original position
• Leave in the moved position (leave lie)

If two or more numbered balls are moved during the shot (or if a moved ball contacts another numbered ball), a foul results.

The balls may never be replaced by the shooter without permission from the opponent, or a foul results.

A player has the option to intentionally foul by shooting the cue ball into any numbered ball on the table and into any area of the table to strategically tie up other numbered balls.

Rules:

• The only ball to be spotted, if pocketed, is the 9 ball
• The player must shoot using a normal stroke
• Opponent receives cue ball-in-hand

Touching any numbered ball while placing the cue ball on the table (cue ball-in-hand) constitutes a foul.

If a foul occurs, opponent receives cue ball-in-hand.

Shooting on another table while your opponent is in play in a tournament inning at the designated table constitutes a foul.

The tournament director reserves the right to impose a penalty with or without warning. The penalty is cue ball-in-hand for the opponent.

If the shot clock is used, exceeding the time limit for shooting constitutes a foul. Opponent receives ball-in-hand.

The following constitute interference fouls (with or without warning from the tournament director):

• Failure to remain seated and quiet while the opponent is at the table
• Shooting out of turn
• Moving any ball out of turn
• Interfering with the opponent in any manner

Any of these infractions permit the opponent to take cue ball-in-hand.

If interference is caused by a spectator or others, the tournament director may have those interfering removed from the tournament premises.

If the player is accidentally "bumped" by anyone other than his opponent and balls are moved:

• All balls may be repositioned in their original places by the tournament director
• If the balls cannot be replaced, the player who was interfered with will rack and break and replay the game

The following constitute a foul:

• Marking the table or rail
• Placing a foreign object on the table or rail (such as a cue stick, bridge, or foreign object) to provide an advantage in executing a shot (unless removed prior to the shot)
• Releasing an object onto the table

Exceptions:

• A player may place a cue stick or bridge on the playing surface during his or her inning to take a break
• A player may use the cue ball (when having ball-in-hand) or a cue stick/bridge (while being held) to determine clearance or gaps

Numbered balls that are pocketed out of play may never be used to determine angles, clearances, or gaps, or be spotted. Doing so constitutes a foul.

Players soliciting and/or receiving intentional coaching may or may not be warned prior to being issued a foul. The penalty results in cue ball-in-hand for the opponent.

Additional rules:

• Any spectator who spontaneously offers advice to a player is subject to removal from the tournament area
• If a player calls a foul as a result of being prompted to do so by any others, the tournament director may determine to disallow the foul call
• The decision of the tournament director is final

If a player executes a jump or masse shot to avoid hitting any numbered ball that obstructs the path to the lowest numbered ball, and as a result moves any numbered ball due to the follow-through of the shot, a foul occurs.

The penalty is cue ball-in-hand for the opponent.

Striking a numbered ball with the chalked area of tip of the cue stick prior to or at the same time as striking the cue ball constitutes a foul.

Exception: It is possible to strike the cue ball and have the ferrule or shaft contact a numbered ball at the same time and not result in a foul (for instance, when a player must elevate the cue by hand or bridge over a numbered ball in order to strike the cue ball).

If a single numbered ball is moved in this manner and has no outcome on the shot, it may be placed in the original position by the opponent or leave lie.

If the player uses the chalked area of the cue tip while in the bridge and stance position to push the cue ball into position, and it is determined to be an attempt to shoot, a foul results.

Opponent receives cue ball-in-hand.

When the cue tip remains on the cue ball past the momentary time commensurate with a legally struck shot, a foul results (refer to 5.4 and 5.5).

If a foul occurs, opponent receives cue ball-in-hand.

After four (4) consecutive safes are executed (two by each player), where:

• The object ball is being bumped to the same rail
• The cue ball strikes no rail after contact with the object ball in each safe

On the next shot (fifth), the player must:

• Drive the object ball or legally struck numbered ball to another rail
• OR have the cue ball contact a rail after contact with the object ball

Failure to execute the described legal shot on the fifth attempt will constitute a foul.

The opponent must declare to the player that four consecutive safes have been executed and the player must acknowledge.

Three fouls in a row by the same player in a single game results in a win for his or her opponent.

Requirements:

• The opponent must warn the player when he or she has fouled twice
• The player must acknowledge the warning
• If the opponent has not warned and received acknowledgement for two fouls, and the player fouls a third time, the player will begin the next inning in the same game with two fouls

A player may not concede a shot or game at any time.

Penalties for concession:

• If a player concedes a shot or game: loss of that rack AND loss of an additional game (the next rack)
• If an opponent begins or completes breaking down their cue stick while the player at the table is on the hill: considered a concession and loss of game/match
• Any other action determined to be a concession while on hill game: loss of game/match

A player may make a request to the opponent to cease play and the opponent must acknowledge the request to have the tournament director observe a shot.

The opponent is required to wait until the tournament director is in position and ready to observe the shot.

If the player shoots prior to the tournament director's declaration that he or she is in position, the player loses the game.

The following actions result in loss of game and/or match:

• Slapping the table
• Throwing balls or equipment
• Pushing on the cloth
• Striking the balls with the cue or other object illegally
• Impeding the path of balls
• Any action deemed unsuitable by the tournament director

A severe and/or second violation may cause the tournament director to impose a suspension and/or expulsion from the tournament. The decision of the tournament director is final.

Any player who appears for their match later than fifteen (15) minutes beyond the scheduled start time and/or announcement of the match shall forfeit the match.

Requirements:

• A player should be at the assigned table and ready for play at the scheduled match time
• It is mandatory that the player be at the table at the final announcement by the tournament director and/or consistent with the 15 minute grace period

A player who is late for more than one match may be subjected to sanctions by the tournament director, including but not limited to a loss of one game foul and/or match forfeit.

Any player observed by the opponent or tournament director to be in violation of the dress code:

• Shall receive a single warning from the tournament director to comply
• Will be granted no more than fifteen minutes to correct the infraction and return to the assigned table, ready for play
• A second violation will result in a loss of game or match

Ball tapping during racking, in either a match or practice on an assigned tournament table is forbidden.

The penalty is loss of the game for each infraction; the tournament director may impose the penalty with or without warning. (See rule 2.3)

Any player or observer who disturbs or disrupts an opponent or other players during a match may be subject to the "Silent Match" rule.

Once the tournament director imposes the rule:

• The player may not speak to anyone
• The match will be overseen by the tournament director or assigned match referee
• If an infraction occurs after the rule is imposed: loss of one game per infraction and/or loss of match, suspension and/or expulsion from the tournament

If the player is an observer, the tournament director may impose the silent rule and/or have the player or others removed from the playing area. The decision of the tournament director is final.

Any player observed by the tournament director exhibiting unsportsmanlike conduct may be penalized with:

• Loss of a game
• Suspension
• Expulsion from the tournament

Penalties may be imposed with or without warning. The decision of the tournament director is final.

The tournament director has the authority to suspend play during any type of disruption by participants, or when conditions are unsuitable for play.

Any player who continues play after the suspension of play has been announced shall be penalized with the loss of the game and/or match, with or without warning.