The Top Gun Pool 8-ball rules are as follows
Legally pocket all balls of your assigned group (solids or stripes) and then legally pocket the 8-ball in a called pocket to win.
Rack:
Balls are racked in a triangle with the 8-ball in the center.
One solid (1-7) and one stripe (9-15) must be in the bottom corners.
The apex ball is placed on the foot spot.
Break:
The breaker shoots from behind the head string (baulk line).
A legal break requires:
At least one object ball pocketed, or
At least four object balls driven to a cushion (rail).
If the break is illegal (fewer than four balls hit a rail and no balls pocketed), the opponent chooses to:
Accept the table as is, or
Re-rack and break themselves, or
Re-rack and have the original breaker try again.
Determining Groups:
Groups (solids or stripes) are assigned after a player legally pockets a ball after the break.
If no ball is legally pocketed, the table is “open,” and players can hit any ball (except the 8-ball, unless it’s a legal shot later).
Legal Shot Requirements:
The cue ball must first contact a ball from the player’s group.
After contact, one of the following must occur:
An object ball is pocketed, or
The cue ball or any object ball contacts a cushion.
Failure to meet these requirements is a foul.
Turn:
A player continues shooting as long as they legally pocket balls from their group.
Pocketing an opponent’s ball as part of a legal shot (e.g., in a combination) is allowed, but only the player’s group balls count toward their progress.
If a foul occurs, the turn ends, and the opponent gets ball-in-hand (cue ball can be placed anywhere on the table).
Fouls (Examples):
Failing to hit a ball from your group first.
Failing to pocket a ball or drive a ball to a cushion after contact.
Pocketing the cue ball (scratch).
Hitting the 8-ball with the cue ball (when not shooting for it).
Touching or moving a ball illegally (e.g., with hand, clothes or cue, etc).
Double-hitting the cue ball or pushing it (cue tip contacts cue ball more than once).
Pocketing the 8-Ball:
After pocketing all balls in their group, a player must legally pocket the 8-ball to win.
The player must call the pocket for the 8-ball before the shot.
The shot must be legal (cue ball hits the 8-ball first, no fouls).
Win:
Legally pocket the 8-ball in the called pocket after clearing your group.
Pocketing the eight ball on the break. The player is not required to call the pocket. If the player makes the eight ball but scratches, then that is counted as a loss.
Loss:
Pocket the 8-ball before clearing your group, unless made on the break.
Pocket the 8-ball in a non-called pocket.
Scratch (pocket the cue ball) while pocketing the 8-ball.
Knock the 8-ball off the table (automatic loss).
Commit a foul while pocketing the 8-ball (e.g., failing to hit a cushion if no pocket is made).
Break Fouls:
If the cue ball scratches on the break, the opponent gets ball-in-hand anywhere on the table.
Push-Out:
Allowed only after a legal break, announced by the player.
The cue ball is played to any position without attempting to pocket a ball or hit a specific ball first.
The opponent then decides whether to take the shot or pass it back to the breaker.
Stalemate:
If no progress is possible (e.g., balls are locked up), the referee may call for a re-rack or other resolution (e.g., replay the frame).
Call Shot:
Players must call the pocket for the 8-ball and any non-obvious shots (e.g., combinations, banks, caroms).
Obvious shots (e.g., straight-in shots) do not require a call, but the referee or tournament director may clarify.
Table Etiquette:
Only the shooter may approach the table during their turn.
Interfering with the table or balls is a foul, and intentional interference may result in loss of rack or match (per referee’s decision).