Know what makes a shot illegal
Fouls and Ball in Hand
Recognize wrong first contact, scratches, and why the opponent may move the cue ball.
Hit a legal target first
When groups are assigned, the cue ball must contact one of your group balls first. After your group is clear, the 8 ball becomes your legal first target.
Hitting an opponent's ball or the 8 ball first while your group remains is a foul, even if another ball later reaches a pocket.
Watch for three common fouls
A scratch means the cue ball entered a pocket. No contact means it missed every object ball. A shot is also a foul if no ball reaches a cushion or pocket after the first contact.
- Wrong ball first.
- Cue ball pocketed or no object-ball contact.
- No cushion or pocket after contact.
A foul gives Ball in Hand
After a foul, the incoming player may place the cue ball in a legal open position before shooting. That freedom often turns one mistake into an easy scoring chance.
A normal legal miss only passes the turn. Ball in Hand appears only when the previous shot included a foul.