Beginning Strategies of Nine-Ball

Nine-ball is a game of pocket billiards that has been enjoyed since the early 1920s. It involves only nine balls and the object is to pocket each ball in order, 1 through 9. When the 9 ball is pocket, you win the game. Sounds simple enough, right?

Well, not exactly. While it is quite a simple game in concept, there are a number of strategies that can be used, either offensively or defensively, to complicate matters. This is why nine-ball is most often the preferred game of players with exceptional skills.

The first strategy begins with the opening break. Normally in a game of nine-ball, failure to hit the balls in order, 1 through 9, results in a penalty; likewise, it is a penalty if you shoot and miss all of the balls. If you call a push-out right after your opponent breaks however, you can shoot the cue ball to any location on the table. Your opponent can then shoot the cue ball, or pass it back to you. The hope in doing a push-out is that your opponent accepts the shot, but misses, giving you ball-in-hand. Remember though, a push-out can only be called once per game, and it must be called right after the opening break.

Additionally, a skilled nine-ball player is always looking for the nine-ball combination shot. That is, hitting the cue ball into another ball (the lowest numbered ball on the table, which is a legal shot) which then hits the 9, and hopefully puts it in the pocket. When playing pocket billiards, and nine-ball especially, you should always be looking ahead a couple of shots, so you might even be able to see this kind of opportunity coming in advance.

If you are in the situation where your opponent has committed a foul and you are given ball-in-hand, remember in nine-ball that you can place the cue anywhere on the table you want. Try to put it in a position where you will be able to pocket the 9 off from a combination and end the match as soon as possible.

When on the defensive there are also several strategies you can take advantage of, as well. If you know you cannot make your shot, but you can still hit the lowest numbered ball on the table, try knocking it to an out of the way location. By taking advantage of the table's rails and other balls, you can make your opponent's next shot quite difficult, and sometimes downright impossible.