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Pool Rules - All Games
Pool Sharks simulates Pool on your computer with full 3-D environment and corresponding sounds. It features an easy and convenient game play, which supports 8-Ball, 9-Ball, 15-Ball and Blackjack games. Pool Sharks is an interactive game which is played in a one-on-one environment online.

For every variation of Pool games the white (cue) ball is the ball which the cue has to hit. The white ball’s movement affects the results of the game. We encourage you to print out these games rules for future reference.

8-Ball Rules
8-Ball is played with a “cue ball" (white) and fifteen balls which are divided into three groups:

1. The Solids - seven balls with numerical symbols lower than Eight which are Solid in color (but are not black);
2. The Black - one ball with numerical symbol of Eight which is colored Black;
3. The Stripes- seven balls with numerical symbols higher than Eight which are dyed with Stripes.

At the beginning of the game, all the object balls are racked in a triangle and the 8-Ball (black) is in the center. At least four balls must hit cushions on the first strike (unless a ball was legally pocketed), otherwise balls will be re-racked and game will restart. If the 8-Ball is pocketed on the break, the shooter wins the game.

Players will be assigned with a group to shoot when the first ball is pocketed. The first ball pocketed by a player defines the group which is assigned for the player. In a case where the shooter pockets balls from both groups on the break, he will get another consecutive shot. He will be assigned with the group to which belongs the ball he hits first on that second shot.

Players should pocket all the balls in the selected group and only then they should pocket the 8-Ball, to win the game.

8-Ball Fouls and Penalties

Fouls	Penalties
You pocket the cue (white) ball (“Scratch").	The turn passes to the your opponent, who gets the cue ball in hand, and can place the cue ball anywhere on the table.
You shoot, and the cue ball fails to hit any ball in your group.
You fail to cause the cue ball or any numbered ball to contact a cushion.
You pocket a ball your opponent should have pocketed.	Same as above. Your opponent’s ball will remain in the pocket.
You pocket the Eight (black) ball when you still have Stripes/Solids to pocket.	You lose the game.

Note:

1. If your ball is illegally pocketed, it will be re-spotted.
2. At least four balls must hit cushions on the first stroke, otherwise balls will be re-racked and game will restart.
3. Pocketing the 8-Ball (black) on the first strike (the opening strike):

• if only the 8-Ball is pocketed - the player who shot the strike wins.
• if any other ball is pocketed together with the eight ball - the player who shot the strike loses.

Pool Sharks games are popular in more than 200 countries and hundreds of thousands of players around the globe are enjoying our games daily.

Both Pool and Snooker are played differently and apply to different sets of rules in each country. Therefore we decided to create the proper combination between international Pool and Snooker rules and the most common ways these games are being played worldwide.

In order to provide our players with the proper information, our games rules are published on our website. We suggest you go over the rules before getting started with your games, and of course we will be more than happy to answer any question you may have.

9-Ball Rules
9-Ball game is played with a cue (white) ball and 9 balls, each of which is distinctly colored and numbered 1 through 9. The object of the game is to pocket the “9-Ball" in a legal manner.

At the beginning of the game, all the object balls are racked in a diamond shape, with the 1-Ball at the top of the diamond and on the foot spot, the 9-Ball in the center of the diamond, and the other balls in random order. At least four balls must hit cushions on the first strike (unless a ball was legally pocketed), otherwise balls will be re-racked and game will restart.

In 9-Ball, on all shots, a player must cause the cue ball to hit the lowest numerical ball on the table first before the cue ball hits any other ball, otherwise a foul has been committed. If a player pockets any ball on a legal shot, he remains at the table for another shot, and continues until missing a shot.

The player who pockets the 9-Ball legally wins the game.

Note: the balls may be pocketed in any order, and in particular the 9-Ball may be pocketed at any time.

9-Ball Fouls and Penalties

Fouls	Penalties
You do not hit the lowest-numbered ball on the table.	The turn passes to your opponent, who gets cue ball in hand, and can place the cue ball anywhere on the table.
You fail to cause the cue ball or any other ball to contact a cushion.
You pocket the cue ball (white).
You pocket the 9-Ball on an illegal shot.	Same as above. The 9 Ball is re-spotted.

Note:

1. No pocketed ball is re-spotted when a foul is committed, except of the 9-Ball itself.
2. At least four balls must hit cushions on the first stroke (unless a ball is legally pocketed), otherwise balls will be re-racked and game will restart.

15-Ball Rules
Fifteen balls are racked in a triangle and all the object balls are placed randomly.

On every shot, you must pocket a ball. There is no special order for pocketing the balls; on every shot any ball can be pocketed. At least four balls must hit cushions on the first stroke (unless a ball is legally pocketed), otherwise balls will be re-racked and game will restart.

The player who pockets more than 61 points (each ball has a point value equal to its number) wins the game. In case of a tie, the player which pocketed the last ball wins.

15-Ball Fouls and Penalties

Fouls	Penalties
You shoot, and the cue ball fails to hit any ball.	The turn passes to your opponent, who gets cue ball in hand, and can place the cue ball anywhere on the table.
You fail to cause the cue ball or any other ball to contact a cushion after touching a target ball.
You pocket the cue ball (white).

Note:

1. Any pocketed ball is re-spotted when a foul is committed.
2. At least four balls must hit cushions on the first stroke (unless a ball is legally pocketed), otherwise balls will be re-racked and game will restart.
3. In case of a tie, the player which pocketed the last ball wins

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