How to Play 9 Ball

9-ball is another popular pool game, similar to 8-ball, but with a few key differences. Here are the basic rules for playing 9-ball:

1. Rack the balls: Place all nine object balls in a diamond shape, with the 9-ball in the center. The balls should be racked in numerical order, with the 1-ball at the top of the diamond and the 9-ball in the center. The player who wins the lag gets to choose who will break first.

2. Break: The player who is breaking must hit the 1-ball first and then attempt to pocket any ball on the table. If a ball is pocketed on the break, the player continues to shoot. If the player does not make a ball or commits a foul, the other player gets ball in hand.

3. Object of the game: The objective of the game is to pocket the 9-ball. The first player to legally pocket the 9-ball wins the game.

4. Legal shot: A legal shot requires the player to hit the lowest numbered ball first, with the cue ball contacting the object ball and either pocketing it or driving it to another rail. If the player does not hit the lowest numbered ball first, or fails to make contact with any ball, it is a foul.

5. Continuing play: After a player legally pockets a ball, they must continue shooting until they miss or commit a foul. If a player pockets the 9-ball before it is their turn or before they have legally pocketed all of the other balls, they lose the game.

6. Fouls: If a player commits a foul, the other player gets ball in hand. Fouls include pocketing the cue ball, failing to hit the lowest numbered ball first, or hitting the 9-ball before it is the player's turn or before they have legally pocketed all of the other balls.

7. Call shot: In some variations of 9-ball, players must call their shot before shooting. This means they must indicate which ball they intend to pocket and in which pocket. If the player makes the called shot, they continue shooting. If they miss the called shot or pocket a different ball, it is a foul.

These are the basic rules of 9-ball, but there are also many variations of the game played around the world.