The Rules of 9 Ball Pool (Nine Ball Pool) - EXPLAINED!

Ninh explains the Rules of 9 Ball Pool - a popular cue sports table game from the USA.
This is a beginner's explanation of Nine Ball Pool Rules.
Watch this short video tutorial guide on how to play 9 Ball under World Pool Rules.
Learn about sink, golden break, fouls, lag, Mosconi Cup and more!
COMMENT, LIKE, RATE & SUBSCRIBE!!!
Also discuss on Reddit!
Video: Copyright Sky Sports, Mosconi Cup, WPBSA (I do not own any video footage - I claim FAIR USE).
Images: Google
Music: ‘Mammagamma’ by Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson
Narrated, Directed and Produced by Ninh Ly
Copyright Ninh Ly 2014 - www.ninh.co.uk
Find me on Facebook - / ninh.ly.31
Follow me on Twitter - / ninhlyuk
Google plus me - plus.google.com/+NinhLyUK

[@MarCel-ih6ui]

9-Ball is the perfect alternative to calm down from 8-ball

[@NinhLyUK]

Yes, absolutely!

[@SKyrim190]

Why? It sounded way more dynamic and fast paced

[@ts4gv]

@@SKyrim190 8-ball is a quantity of cocaine.

[@stonecoggins107]

This is a really great video and explains all the rules well. Awesome job as usual Ninh. However, there is one really important thing that was left out: After you do a push out, your opponent gets to choose whether he takes the next shot, or whether you have to. So you have to try to come up with a shot that isn't easy enough that he'll take it, but is still doable for you. This makes it trickier than you would think and makes the push out less of a no brainer. Thanks for the video Ninh! Keep up the good work

[@NinhLyUK]

Stone Coggins Hello again. Yes, tried to explain what a push out was without going into drastic detail about the ins and outs of the opponent choosing the next shot. As you can imagine, I'm trying to keep the rules basic for beginners to understand so that they can find out the detailed stuff on their own. Thanks for stopping by! :)

[@human_3978]

Fantastic Coggins, I actually posted this question right after watching the video and luckily found your post as I read through the comments. Thanks for the explanation!

[@JordanHaydooonbhg]

@@NinhLyUK just gonna tell you i have a magic 8 ball toy and placed a minecraft sticker on it so now i call it the chicken ball

[@argelisplanchart9438]

I am watching this video because I watched The Hustler and The Color Of Money and I am now interested in learning the rules of pool. Such a cool and competitive table game.

[@NinhLyUK]

Cool! Check out my other videos for the other versions of pool.

[@koy4191]

Thank you for explaining all these sports, because of you, I understand almost every sport I see when I turn on the TV. Great Video!

[@NinhLyUK]

Marco Killderoy Wow, I'm glad I helped so much! Thanks for the kind comments, be sure to share this video and subscribe :)

[@Pete856]

Ok, thanks for this, explains a lot. Yesterday on TV I came across 9 ball pool and thought I understood the basic rules of having to sink balls in order. Then all of a sudden the game ended after the 9 ball was sunk (it had been touching the next ball in order), but there were still other balls on the table, now I realize how this came about, thanks.

[@NinhLyUK]

+69aussieguy Cool, I'm glad this video helped you understand that! It confused me at the beginning too, but once I played against a 9 ball player and he explained it to me, it made perfect sense! Thanks for stopping by, be sure to share this video and subscribe :)

[@illogical1421]

I also love how unlike 8 Ball you won't and can't accidentally lose if you pot the 9 ball accidentally or the cue ball goes in accidentally alongside it at the last shoot, instead, the 9 ball is replaced on the table.

[@NinhLyUK]

Yes, the 9 ball is replaced if it's illegally potted.

[@catatonicbug7522]

This is the only form of pool I've ever really enjoyed. Never heard of a push out though!

[@NinhLyUK]

Yeah it's pretty cool and simple to understand. Push out - they usually do this in pro tournaments. House rules may not use the 'push out'.

[@iTzDaNiiLo]

I saw this video in my suggestions, came to see if I really knew the rules and surprisingly, I do. 9 ball is so simple that you can learn the rules correctly by watching others play and having common sense. What a great game 9 ball is and pool in general

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks bro. Yes, it's a surprisingly easy game to understand and play. It's quickly becoming the more popular sport to play.

[@daveblack3728]

Easy to understand and play. But unlike 8 ball if you run out of position you have no alternatives. It's cruel as well, run the 1 to 8 but miss the 9 and leave it for your opponent - goodnight Irene! Love the game!!

[@jerryrangel267]

Best explanation of the game. Covered all the rules and explained all the fouls that could be done in the game. Best explanation!!

[@themagicofenglish2023]

I am about to play 9-ball for the first time in a local tournament in Hanoi and this quick breakdown was exactly what I was looking for. Kudos to Ninh Ly

[@davidscott6375]

Only just started playing this recently after watching on tv and found it so much better than regular pool. Thanks for the vid, it has helped me understand the game even more as some of the rules on internet are not so clear.

[@NoName-1337]

Sounds fun this version of pool, thank you.

[@carlwkalb]

Thanks for the great video. Just moved to an apartment that has a pool table. I’ve been practicing with eight ball. But I think this would actually be a more interesting and challenging way to play. I’ll try it out.

[@richardmarcosek1786]

Very nicely explained, thank you!

[@panoC97]

I found out about this channel just yesterday and i've already watched almost every video. Great job!!

[@NinhLyUK]

panoC97 Wow, thanks man! That's quite a compliment. Thank you very much, I'm glad you enjoy my videos! Any sharing would greatly be appreciated! :)

[@TamiamiParkFlyers]

Very well explained, Thanks!

[@Gene601]

Very helpful video. Thank you, sir!

[@NinhLyUK]

Thank you!

[@roxind]

Thank for the clear an concise explanation

[@NewfieMan98]

Thank you for making this video so I can stick it to my friend that I made a legal combo shot

[@NinhLyUK]

No problems!

[@matthewstephens5937]

Ethan Bussey Define this shot-as in what combo shot did you play? If you hit lowest number first then it’s perfectly legal

[@JABoucher09]

This was very helpful

[@NinhLyUK]

+Jeremy B Thanks Jeremy! I'm glad this video helped you understand 9 Ball Pool. I also have one on 8 Ball too so be sure to check that one out too. Please share this video and subscribe :)

[@timjung640]

Easy to understand-thanks!

[@myfavsandlikes7478]

Thanks for the video!

[@NinhLyUK]

+Myfavsandlikes You're welcome, be sure to share this video and subscribe :)

[@DOLARNICK]

Excellent narration

[@notme6951]

Thanks for the video! I’ve been watching some pool highlights, and everytime it gets to 9 ball I have no idea what’s going on 😂

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks man, glad you like this video. Check out my channel for more like this :)

[@aronfridrik]

Thank you for the video :) I've been trying out 9 ball for a while now and I think it really adds a fun element in that the difference in skill is greatly reduced because one mistake could let you sink the 9 in!

[@NinhLyUK]

+aronfridrik Thanks man, I appreciate the comments. Good luck with 9 Ball! Be sure to share this video and subscribe :)

[@dtlordgrim6789]

what happens if u miss the target??can u move the cue ball anywhere?? ...bad english..

[@NinhLyUK]

Yes, after a foul you have ball in hand and can move the cue ball anywhere. Thanks, I appreciate the comments. Be sure to share this video and subscribe :)

[@tzirvee3782]

You told that perfect

[@tronnorth726]

@@tzirvee3782 cringe. So when people go like "bad English" it means they have good English? Lol cringey

[@JEST3R_]

@@tronnorth726 english is a pool term for sidespin. "bad english" also known as a miscue is when the ball goes dramatically off course due to not hitting square enough on the ball, almost certainly causing a foul

[@moviesandseriestopscenes3456]

@@NinhLyUK but isnt it the opponent's turn to play and put the cue ball wherever he wants?

[@TheNeers71]

My personal favorite variation of billiards. Once again, great video!

[@NinhLyUK]

TheNeers71 Cheers man! Admittedly, I grew up playing snooker and never really took notice of 9 ball before I started playing. It's a fun game to play! Thanks again! :)

[@amypontious4452]

Thanks for the video

[@mattyl5675]

Great vid as always

[@NinhLyUK]

Mattyl567 Thanks Matty, glad to see you're still watching my vids! :)

[@joekowalski2877]

Great video thanks for posting

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks Joe.

[@GamesJames]

Great job on explaining it!

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks man, glad you like this video. Check out my channel for more like this :)

[@grumred]

Good video. Easy to understand and follow.

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks! Glad you like this video. Check out my channel for more content like this :)

[@Funkjunk3250]

Very helpful!

[@zelviktortoise149]

Nice explanation!

[@stusmithmmm]

Beautifully explained

[@NinhLyUK]

Glad you like this video. Check out my channel for more like this :)

[@armaghputaranui6517]

This game is addictive,I avoided playing this game for years but now I can't stop playing it 👍

[@larrybranchii]

This was a great instructional video.

[@NinhLyUK]

Glad it was helpful! Check out my channel for more!

[@kjelltempleton1101]

Nice video! I understand everything now

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks, glad you like this video! Check out my channel for more like this! :)

[@bn2cool507]

thanks! great explanation.

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks, glad you like this video. Check out my channel for more like this :)

[@themanjin]

Thank u so much dude really helped

[@drewgibson16]

Another great video 👍🏻

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks bro, much appreciated!

[@kurtteys1919]

thanx very helpful

[@slyeguy4828]

Getting my first nine-ball break after playing years of 8-ball was really quite something, a lovely memory

[@AkiraAkiyama]

I love 9-balls even by the rules. It's straightforward and simple. The tempo of the game moves fast. It's fair that you have a push out if you didn't get a nice opening break.

[@IsabelJRP923]

I'm going to get myself a 9 ball rack just so I can go practice on my own. I never knew there was a nine ball game. I've been playing it with friends on Facebook. There are so many rules to remember but I'll just stick to the basics at the beginning. Going in numerical order. Sometimes I'm just very lucky when I play 8 Ball and I beat my boyfriend's half the time. LOL when I usually tell people that I'm not very good at playing 8 ball he laughs and says don't believe her. I'm just lucky I guess. Very good instructions. Thank you.

[@NinhLyUK]

Anytime Isabel, glad you like this video. It's a good sport to play and I think you'll like it. Subscribe and check out my channel for more like this :)

[@jesusmorin2721]

Nice video👏👍 I love pool

[@anandb2]

Thanks & Thanks a lot

[@jadedominic7387]

very helpful

[@tomgreeves9248]

Super job, thanks.

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks Tom!

[@AD-kv9kj]

I do love a bit of 9-ball, but the rule on being able to just plant the 9 in (even by accident!) to just win kind of spoils it for me. I like to discount that rule when playing casually with friends. Not much you can do about the rule where the better player could clear the entire table a few times but miss on the 9 and then the worse player just rolls the 9 in or gets a lucky fluke on the 9 and just wins. Just imagine if in snooker, someone cleared the table, 140, down to the final black for a 147 - misses the black and then their opponent who's done F all the whole frame just rolls an easy black in and takes that frame. It would be utterly ridiculous.

[@haziqherman6706]

Please do make more videos...i,m always on checking on your channels for new videos ..im in love with the videos.Thnk you for spending yr time making this videos and replyimg my comment

[@NinhLyUK]

Haziq Herman You're welcome Haziq! I currently work two jobs and finding time to make videos is hard at the moment. I try and make a new video each week and they usually appear every Friday. So be sure to subscribe to see my videos first! :)

[@bikashsingh8288]

Thank you

[@YTuberosity]

Well done.

[@NinhLyUK]

+YTuberosity Thanks man, I appreciate the comment on this 9 ball pool video! I hope this helped in some way and be sure to share this video and subscribe if you haven't already.

[@jbawmdotcom]

Thank you for the video. It would be nice to know how to properly rack the balls before a game, ie which ball goes where

[@mindlesscargo]

If you haven’t found out in these 3 years, the 1 ball goes at the top of the rack and the 9 in the middle. The other balls are supposed to be randomly placed

[@bagasirwansyah143]

Nice video, good job :)

[@NinhLyUK]

Bagas Irwansyah Thanks man, I'm glad you like the video. Be sure to share this video and subscribe :)

[@casualgamers6020]

I think that's fantastic!

[@NinhLyUK]

+Peter Leonard Thanks Peter, I'm glad you approve of this 9 Ball Pool video. Be sure to share this video and subscribe :)

[@magzire]

excellent, ty

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks man, appreciate the comment.

[@m.watkins2723]

This video was bussin.

[@DrMicahLuv]

It really doesn't matter what sport you're explaining, you always do a great job of putting it in the simplest terms so idiots like me can understand it XD my best to you and yours good sir!

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks! I try to make it as simple to understand as possible!

[@tylerh6789]

Thanks lol. Don't have to get bored of playing 11 games of 8 ball at the pool hall anymore. Figured I'd look this up finally. I need a personal table. That'd be so nice.

[@rocon86]

Well explained rules. There's 1 rule I thought of which is very interesting. A player may not leave their cue unattended on the table. There's a famous video of Earl Strickland leaving his cue to go get a rest out to take his shot. Ref called a foul and Earl went crazy. Turns out the ref made the correct call and Earl was totally unaware of that rule.

[@peddyk7781]

Brief and effective video. Thank you

[@NinhLyUK]

Peddy K Thanks Peddy, appreciate the comments.

[@mohamedmuse2969]

great video

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks bro.

[@one-of-us9939]

You rock my friend

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks bro.

[@m.watkins2723]

Thanks homie

[@naslavaie348]

Nice explanation.

[@NinhLyUK]

Great, glad you like this video. Check out my channel for more like this :)

[@AlexWong-ss5jd]

Shooting games thanks Adam.

[@ravingagunawardana178]

Thanks!

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks Ravinga.

[@kaushalsuvarna1284]

Nice one

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks bro.

[@gregoryorr155]

Nice.

[@mohammedalnssar7937]

Think you ❤ brather

[@ZahoorAliMehdi]

Thanx Sir 🖐

[@NinhLyUK]

No worries, glad you like this video. Check out my channel for more like this :)

[@AnyRender]

Nice video man..! Please you have to also mention that after cue ball touches the lowest No ball, at least one ball has to enter in a hole OR at least one ball has to touch the rails. If none of these happens it is also a foul. This rule is to prevent easy safes (snookers).

[@NytronX]

Foul = opposing player can put cue ball anywhere they want and do their turn?

[@TheHellfire007]

Yes, it's called having Ball in Hand

[@JackKirkpatrickVideos]

I like that background cover of Alan parsons project mammagamma

[@savinggracechurch4112]

Great video only forgot to mention the jump shot. Where you can jump over any ball as long as you hit the correct numbered ball in sequence. In my opinion, I think this is the most spectacular shot!

[@kimokemkem]

Nice. Thinks

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks man, glad you like this video. Check out my channel for more like this :)

[@ismailtolgakaraman5878]

THANKS

[@tareqmohammed24]

thanx

[@jaywardhansrathore]

Love the video

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks man.

[@uptightearthling79]

Thanks mate, been playing pool game on mobile and just started playing the 9ball games and didn't know what was what, I knew the basics but nowt else and although I regularly play 8ball, I ain't no shark and usually a bit drunk, cheers, subd.

[@NinhLyUK]

Cool, glad this video helps. Check out my channel for more!

[@uptightearthling79]

@@NinhLyUK will do

[@hectormayoral443]

Awesome vid Ninh! I've been playing 9 ball at work more often, but with slightly willynilly rules. I wanted to ask you a few questions if you don't mind: 1. After the break, if no balls are pocketed, the same player can hit the ball with a "Push out" or choose to allow the other play to have turn? 2. If no balls are pocketed, and the player calls for a push out and pockets the one ball, do they still have the ball on the next turn, or does it go to the other player? 3. In the same scenario as the previous question, the player who called the pull out pockets a ball that is not the lowest, is it still their turn or is it the other players turn? Thanks Ninh! I'll probably ask you some follow up questions too. :D Thanks matey Long live 9 ball!

[@NinhLyUK]

+Hector Mayoral Hey Hector. Sorry for the late reply, I've been in Florida for two weeks. To answer your questions: 1) After the break, if no balls are pocketed - it his opponent who is eligible to take a push out. The same person cannot shoot twice if no balls have been pocketed. 2) If you pocket the one ball after a break, this is not a push out and cannot be a push out, as you have hit the correct ball! A push out is where you can hit any other ball, but you immediately lose your turn afterwards. 3) If you pocket the ball that is not the lowest as a 'push out' you lose your turn immediately, though it is not classed as a scratch. Hope that helps? Be sure to share this video and subscribe :)

[@hokaizokuworld2891]

parang gusto ko matuto nito ah.

[@JBGOONERLIFE]

All the best . As you say good Karma. Enjoyed the video too mate

[@Two_marching_paces]

thanks

[@Iamdragonman]

Seriously, I have played pool (UK 15 ball) for years now, and this looks, well, easy!! Large pockets etc etc!! I REALLY need to get into this!!

[@NinhLyUK]

Oh it's great! If you get a chance, check out the Mosconi Cup highlights on KZbin. You'll understand the format quite quickly after that.

[@actionhunter93]

+Damian Morgan It's trickier than you think but easier than snooker of course. For a snooker player getting into pool controlling the cue ball for the next shot might be a bit of a pain, because in snooker when you pot a red if you're not on the black you can still take the pink or any other ball if it's in close proximity plus the bigger table leaves more margin for error in positional play. Rotation pool like 9-ball and 10-ball you need to be accurate in playing position plus the defensive game in pool is tougher than snooker because the bigger pockets can give you room to attack if a great safety is not played.

[@pato20995]

actionhunter93 he plays UK pool, not snooker. The only difference with uk pool is the bigger balls and the straight cut middle pockets

[@didkei]

Now I finally know how to play that mode in 8 Ball Pool

[@NinhLyUK]

Cool, glad this video helps!

[@eascanorff9685]

شكرا للترجمتك للعربية يااسطورة

[@LXH-rp9jg]

Please do the Rules of Handball, you know the one everyone played in primary school with the little rubber ball +Ninh Ly

[@flloydee]

1 question? is it always the case that the winner of the rack/frame breaks on the next frame or does it differ to alternate breaks as in snooker?

[@ShravanKapala]

hello Nlnh ly in this video there is a moment when the 9-ball was potted by the support of 4 numbered ball if that leads to the win then if we get a chance to pot 9-ball by the support of any ball by calling its number at the starting of the game can we consider it as a win (or) the rule is quite different

[@whoakhonga6780]

Great video! Do you call the shots for 9 ball? Thanks.

[@TruckTaxiMoveIt]

Interesting

[@charlesdavis3571]

Oh okay👍🏻

[@DippedInInk]

Had no clue u can use the correct numbered ball to hit the 9 ball to win early. Good to know.

[@tvrizzle1]

if the cue goes into a pocket on the break, is it a foul? what if the cue AND 9 goes in? re-break? foul? loss of game?

[@conor-_C]

thank was watching today and hadn't a clue about the rules couldn't understand what was going was used to 8 ball

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks bro, much appreciated. Check out my channel for more like this :)

[@Grrr604]

I tried to find this question in your comments and couldn't. If the relevant object ball is used in a combination to pocket the 9 ball do you win the game?

[@NinhLyUK]

In short, yes. If you legally hit your object ball to bank the 9 ball into a pocket, you win. This is demonstrated at the 1:30 mark.

[@mikemccloskey141]

If you have ball in hand behind the head string, do you have to play "up the table"? If you are on the 9 ball and you scratch, do you automatically lose, or is it just ball in hand? Thanks

[@silent-trouble]

Thanks. I just get into this and it is really helpful. Only thing i dont get is hitting the right ball first and if the 9 ball falls afterwards you win (1:31). So technically you dont have to pot any of the other balls if you can get the 9 ball in via combination or just a lucky shot? Im sure it is hard and not so common, but that seems a little weird to me. Like in 8 ball i accidentally pot the black every now and then.

[@Robdc89]

Hey Ninh, I've found a billiard sport that you might be interested in doing a video for, It's called Carom or Carambole, like Pool and Snooker there are different variations of Carom, but the most popular type is 3 cushion Carom. Also the sport's main international federation is also part of the WCBS (World Confederation of Billiards Sports), who are trying to make billiards an Olympic sport

[@NinhLyUK]

Yeah I know what it is. Don't know if I'd ever get enough demand for it though.