Nine Ball is played with object balls numbered 1 through 9, plus cue ball. The object balls are racked in a diamond shape, with the 1-ball at the top of the diamond and on the foot spot, the 9-ball in the center, and the other balls in random order, packed as tightly as possible.

On each shot, the first ball the cue ball contacts must be the lowest numbered ball on the table; however, the balls need not be pocketed in order. If a player pockets any ball on a legal shot, he continues until he misses, fouls or wins the game by pocketing the 9-ball. After a miss, the incoming player may start with the cue ball anywhere on the table. Players are not required to call their shots

To break, the shooter must strike the 1-ball first and either pocket a ball or drive at least four numbered balls to the rail. On the following play, the shooter may play a "push out" in an attempt to move the cue ball into a better position for the option that follows. The player must announce his intention before the shot or it is considered a normal shot.

If the shooter misses or fouls, the other player begins his inning and shoots until he misses, fouls, or wins.

The match ends when one of the players has won the required number of games.

When a player commits a foul, he must relinquish his run and no balls pocketed on the foul shot are respotted, except the 9-ball is respotted if it is pocketed. The incoming player is awarded the ball and hand, and he may place the cue ball anywhere on the table prior to his first shot.

If the first object ball contacted by the cue ball is not the lowest numbered ball on the table, the shot is a foul. If no object ball is pocketed, failure to drive the cue ball or any numbered ball to the rail, it is a foul. If an object ball is driven off the table, it is a foul. The ball is not respotted (unless it is the 9-ball) and play continues.