10-ball rules

The game

10-ball is a call-shot game played with balls 1–10 and the cue ball. Balls are shot in ascending order — the cue ball must always strike the lowest-numbered ball first. A 10-ball pocketed on the break is spotted and the shooter continues. Only one ball is called per shot; the break is the only exception.

The break

The lag winner decides who breaks first. Alternating break is standard unless otherwise agreed.

The rack

Balls are racked as tightly as possible. The 1-ball sits at the apex on the foot spot, the 10-ball in the centre, the rest at random.

Legal break

The cue ball is placed anywhere behind the head string. To be legal, the break must pocket a ball or drive at least four balls to one or more rails.

Push-out

If the break is not a foul, the shooter may call a push-out. Foul rules then do not apply and the shooter may play anything (including pocketing the 10) without penalty. The 10-ball is spotted; any other balls pocketed on the push-out stay down. The only foul on a push-out is the cue ball leaving the table. After a push-out the opponent chooses to shoot or pass the table back. The push-out must be clearly announced to the referee or opponent.

Call shot

The shooter must call every non-obvious shot — both ball and pocket. For banks, combinations and similar shots the referee must be convinced the shot was intentional and pocketed as called. If either the referee or the opponent is unsure of the intended shot, they may ask for a call.

Safety play

A player may call a safety at any time, ending their inning. A legal safety requires lowest-ball-first contact and a ball reaching a rail after contact. If the shooter pockets the lowest ball on a called safety, the opponent chooses to play from the resulting position or pass the table back.

Wrong pockets

If the shooter pockets the called ball in the wrong pocket, or pockets an uncalled ball, the inning ends and play passes. The opponent chooses to shoot or pass the table back.

Continuing play

On a legal shot that pockets the called ball in the called pocket, any other balls that fell on that shot stay down (except the 10-ball), and the shooter continues. Legally pocketing the called 10 as the last ball wins the rack. Missing the called ball without a foul leaves the cue ball where it lies for the opponent.

Spotting the 10

The 10-ball is spotted if pocketed on a foul, during a push-out, on the break, without a call, or incidentally on a legal shot at another ball. It is also spotted if it jumps the table. Spotting applies only to the 10. A called 10 pocketed by a combination is not a win — the 10 is spotted and the shooter continues.

Standard fouls

A foul ends the inning and gives the opponent ball-in-hand. Three consecutive fouls lose the rack. All standard pool fouls apply.

This is an informative summary. Official tournaments follow WPA/EPBF rules.