Official Rule Sets

For eight-ball pool there are two sets of official rules: World Rules and BlackBall Rules.

In Ireland the most widely used ruleset is World Rules. BlackBall Rules are popular mainly around Dublin.

World Rules actually allows deliberate fouls (also known as tactical fouls) which takes some getting used to. BlackBall tend to be more attacking and actually allow you to pot an opponent's ball provided you also pot one of your own - great for clearing pockets.

Here is a link to a summary of Blackball rules.

You can find the official World Rules here.

You can find the offical BlackBall Rules here.

BlackBall Rules - A quick summary:

1....NO Deliberate Foul..loss of frame
2....no 2 shots carry, but free table and can pick white up
3....if pot off break..no need nominate on next shot but must pot otherwise open table..
4...if no ball potted off break, at least 2 balls must pass middle pockets

5...skill shot (can pot opponent's ball provided you pot your own)..even on black
6...if no ball potted, a ball (white or any other) must hit cushion

World Rules - A quick summary:

1....Deliberate fouls treated like a normal foul (part and parcel of the game's tactics)

2....2 shots carry at all times - Can only lift white to baulk if you can't see both sides of any of your balls.

3....If pot off break..must nominate

4...if no ball potted off break, 4 balls must hit cushions

5...no skill shot

6...if no ball potted, a ball must hit cushion