Eight Ball is a call shot game played with a cue ball and object balls numbered 1 through 15. The balls are racked in a triangle at the foot of the table with the 8 ball in the center, the first ball of the rack on the footspot, a stripe ball in one corner and a solid ball in the other corner. One player must pocket the balls numbered 1 through 7 (solids), while the other player must pocket balls numbered 9 through 15 (stripes). The player pocketing his group first then legally pocketing the 8 ball wins the game. The table is always open immediately after the break. The choice of group is determined when a player legally pockets a called object ball after the break.

Obvious balls and pockets do not have to be indicated. The opponent may ask which ball and pocket if he is unsure. Bank shots and combination shots are not considered obvious. It is not necessary to indicate details such as number of cushions, banks, kisses, etc. Any balls pocketed on a foul remain pocketed.

Winner of the lag has the option to break. Players alternate breaking on each subsequent game.The breaker must either (1) pocket the ball or (2) drive at least four numbered balls to the rail. Failure to make a legal break is a foul. The incoming player has the option of accepting the table in position and shooting or having the balls reracked. He may then reshoot the opening break or allow his opponent to rebreak.

If a player scratches on a legal break shots all balls pocketed remain pocketed (except the 8 ball), it counts as a foul, and the table is open. If the shooter jumps an object ball off the table on the break shot, it is a foul. The incoming player may accept the table in position and shoot or take the cue ball in hand behind the head string and shoot. If the 8 ball is pocketed on the break, the breaker may ask for a rerack or have the 8 ball spotted and continue shooting.

Combination shots are allowed; however, a combination shot can never be used to legally pocket the 8 ball.

A player loses the game if he fouls when pocketing the 8 ball, pockets the 8 ball on the same stroke as the last of his group of balls, jumps the 8 ball off the table at any time, pockets the 8 ball in a pocket other than the one designated, or pockets the 8 ball when it is not the legal object ball.