Billiard Kenya
8-Ball Pool
Official Rules
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These rules govern standard 8-ball pool as played in Kenya's billiard halls and clubs. Individual venues may apply minor local variations — always confirm with the host venue before competitive play.
Ball Reference
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8-Ball — Final shot9
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Cue ball
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Equipment
Balls16 balls total — the white cue ball, solid-coloured balls numbered 1 through 7, striped balls numbered 9 through 15, and the black 8-ball.
TableA standard billiard table (7 ft, 8 ft, or 9 ft) with six pockets, a head string (baulk line), and a foot spot.
RackTriangle rack. The 8-ball sits in the exact centre of the rack. One solid and one stripe occupy the two back corners. All remaining balls fill at random.
CueAny standard cue stick. Only one tip of the cue may contact the cue ball per stroke.
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Object of the Game
GoalBe the first player to legally pocket all balls of your assigned group (solids 1–7 or stripes 9–15) and then legally pocket the 8-ball in a called pocket.
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The Break
Starting positionThe cue ball is placed anywhere behind the head string. The full rack of 15 object balls is set on the foot spot.
Legal breakThe cue ball must contact the rack and either: (a) pocket at least one ball, OR (b) drive at least four object balls to the cushion rails.
Illegal breakFailure to meet the above conditions is a foul. The incoming player may accept the table as-is or require the breaker to re-break.
8-ball on the breakIf the 8-ball is pocketed on the break it is a re-rack — this is the standard rule in most Kenya billiard halls. Some venues award an immediate win; confirm with the host before play.
Scratch on the breakIf the cue ball is pocketed on the break, the incoming player has ball-in-hand behind the head string only.
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Group Assignment
When groups are assignedGroups are NOT decided by the break. They are assigned on the first legally pocketed ball after the break.
Assignment ruleWhichever type of ball (solid or stripe) is legally pocketed first determines the shooter's group. The shooter keeps that group for the entire game.
Open tableUntil groups are assigned, the table is "open" — the cue ball may legally contact any object ball and any ball pocketed counts toward that pocket's group.
Combination shots on open tableOn an open table, a player may shoot a solid to pocket a stripe (or vice versa). The group is determined by whatever ball is pocketed first.
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Calling Shots
What must be calledOnly the 8-ball shot requires an explicit pocket call (verbally declare which pocket). All other shots do not require a call in standard Kenya hall play.
Obvious shotsIf it is obvious which ball and which pocket, no announcement is needed. When in doubt, ask your opponent before shooting.
Combination shotsLegal. You may use one of your balls to pocket another. Carom shots (cue ball or object ball glances off multiple balls) are also legal provided the first ball contacted is your group.
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Legal Shot
First-ball contactAfter groups are assigned, the cue ball must contact one of your group balls first. On an open table, any ball may be contacted first.
Post-contact requirementAfter the cue ball contacts the first legal ball, at least one ball must: (a) be pocketed, OR (b) touch a cushion rail.
Simultaneous rail contactIf the cue ball and an object ball reach the rail at the same time, the shot is legal.
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Fouls
ScratchThe cue ball is pocketed. This is always a foul, at any point in the game.
Wrong first contactThe cue ball contacts an opponent's ball (or the 8-ball, when it is not your turn to shoot the 8-ball) before contacting your own group ball.
No rail / no pocketAfter contact, no ball reaches a rail or is pocketed.
Double-hitThe cue tip contacts the cue ball more than once in a single stroke (push shot / double-tap).
Foot on floorAt least one foot must remain on the floor when striking. Leaning fully across the table without a foot on the ground is a foul.
Ball off the tableAny ball driven off the playing surface is a foul. The ball is placed back on the foot spot (or as near as possible without touching other balls).
Touching ballsTouching, moving, or disturbing any ball with the cue, hand, clothing, or any object other than the legal cue stroke.
Playing out of turnShooting when it is the opponent's turn.
Illegal jump shotJumping the cue ball by scooping or digging under it with the cue tip (masse-style). A legal jump requires the cue to be elevated and the ball driven into the cloth.
PenaltyOn any foul, the incoming player receives ball-in-hand — the cue ball may be placed anywhere on the table.
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Ball-in-Hand
PlacementAfter a foul, the incoming player places the cue ball anywhere on the table surface before shooting.
Break exceptionOn a scratch from the break, ball-in-hand is restricted to the area behind the head string.
No-hit ruleWhile placing the cue ball, you may not touch any other ball. If you do, it counts as a foul.
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Continuing Play
Keep shootingA player continues shooting as long as they legally pocket a ball on each stroke.
Inning changeIf a player fails to legally pocket a ball (and commits no foul), the turn passes to the opponent. The table remains exactly as left.
Pocketing opponent's ballLegally pocketing an opponent's ball does not count as a foul, but the pocketed ball stays down. The shooter's turn ends.
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Shooting the 8-Ball
When you may shootYou may only attempt the 8-ball after all balls in your group (solids 1–7 or stripes 9–15) have been legally pocketed.
Calling the pocketBefore shooting, verbally declare or gesture to the pocket you intend to pocket the 8-ball in.
Wrong pocketIf the 8-ball goes into any pocket other than the one called, it is an immediate loss — even if it is the opponent's ball that caused the deflection.
Scratch with 8-ballPocketing the cue ball on the same stroke as the 8-ball is an immediate loss, regardless of whether the 8-ball went into the called pocket.
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Winning the Game
Victory conditionA player wins by legally pocketing all balls in their group and then legally sinking the 8-ball in the called pocket.
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Losing the Game
Premature 8-ballPocketing the 8-ball before clearing all balls in your group (other than on the break).
Wrong pocketPocketing the 8-ball in any pocket other than the one called.
Scratch on 8-ballThe cue ball is pocketed on the same stroke that legally pockets the 8-ball.
8-ball off the tableThe 8-ball is driven off the playing surface at any time during the game.
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Player Conduct
SharkingDeliberate distraction of an opponent while they are shooting is prohibited. The non-shooting player must stand well back from the table.
ConcessionA player may concede the game at any time. Concession is immediate and irrevocable.
DisputesIn the event of a dispute, play stops and both players agree to reposition any disturbed balls to the best of their recollection. A neutral third party (referee or venue staff) may be consulted.
Cue ball in hand verificationBefore playing ball-in-hand, the player should confirm the position is accepted by the opponent to avoid later disputes.
Kenya Hall Variations
Rules may differ slightly between venues. Common local variations include:
- 8-ball on the break: most Kenyan halls re-rack rather than award an automatic win.
- Ball-in-hand on the break scratch may be restricted to behind the baulk line only.
- Some halls require you to "call every shot" — not just the 8-ball. Agree with your opponent before you start.
- Venue-specific house rules always supersede these standard rules in casual play.
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8-Ball Pool — Official Rules
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