Reference

Billiard rule sets

Official rules for the game formats played in Kenya's billiard halls and snooker clubs.

8-Ball Pool 9-Ball Pool 10-Ball Pool Snooker English Pool (Blackball)

Featured — Printable edition

Full 8-Ball Rules (PDF-ready)

All 13 rule sections, ball diagram, Kenya hall notes — download as PDF.

8-Ball Pool

The most widely played format in Kenyan billiard halls. Two players split into solids (1–7) and stripes (9–15), then race to pocket their group before legally sinking the 8-ball.

Object of the game

Legally pocket all balls in your group (solids or stripes), then pocket the 8-ball in a called pocket to win.

Break

Rack all 15 balls with the 8-ball in the centre. The cue ball is struck from behind the head string. A legal break must drive at least four object balls to the rails or pocket one ball. Pocketing the 8-ball on the break is an automatic re-rack in most Kenya hall rules.

Group assignment

Groups are not assigned until after the break. The first player to legally pocket a called ball has that group for the rest of the game.

Fouls

Scratching (cue ball in pocket), failing to hit your own ball first, or not driving a ball to a rail after contact gives the opponent ball-in-hand anywhere on the table.

Winning

Call the pocket before shooting the 8-ball. Pocketing the 8-ball in the wrong pocket, or before clearing your group, is an immediate loss.

Tournament standard

9-Ball Pool

Fast-paced rotation format used in most Kenyan billiard tournaments. Only balls 1–9 are used, and players must always contact the lowest-numbered ball first.

Object of the game

Legally pocket the 9-ball. Because any ball can be pocketed on a combo or carom, the 9-ball can be won at any point in the rack.

Break

The 1-ball sits on the foot spot, 9-ball in the centre. The breaker must contact the 1-ball first and drive at least four balls to rails or pocket one. Pocketing the 9-ball on the break is an immediate win.

Rotation

The incoming player must always strike the lowest-numbered ball on the table first. Any ball may be pocketed as a result, including the 9.

Fouls

Not hitting the lowest ball first, scratching, or pushing the cue ball off the table gives the opponent ball-in-hand anywhere. Three consecutive fouls in a row is a loss.

Push-out

After the break, the breaker may declare a push-out and play the cue ball to any position. The opponent may accept the shot or pass it back.

Advanced format

10-Ball Pool

10-ball is similar to 9-ball but played with balls 1–10, and every shot must be called (ball and pocket). It demands higher precision and is favoured by serious players.

Object of the game

Legally pocket the 10-ball. Every shot must be called — you must name the ball and pocket before shooting.

Break

The 1-ball is on the foot spot, 10-ball in the centre of the rack. Three balls must reach the rail or one ball must be pocketed for a legal break. Pocketing the 10-ball on the break wins.

Called shots

Every shot — not just the final ball — must be called. If you pocket a ball other than the one called, it is replaced and the turn ends.

Fouls

Same as 9-ball: not contacting the lowest ball first, scratch, or driving no ball to a rail after contact gives the opponent ball-in-hand.

Played at snooker clubs

Snooker

Snooker is played on a larger 12 × 6 ft table with 15 red balls and 6 coloured balls. It is the dominant game at dedicated snooker clubs and is scored by point value.

Object of the game

Score the most points. Red balls are worth 1 point each. Colours: yellow 2, green 3, brown 4, blue 5, pink 6, black 7.

Frame structure

Players must pocket a red ball first, then a colour in alternating sequence. After a red is pocketed it stays down; the colour is returned to its spot until all reds are gone. Then colours are pocketed in ascending point order (yellow → black).

Fouls

Fouls award the opponent a minimum of 4 points (or the value of the ball involved if higher). Common fouls: touching a ball with anything other than the cue tip, playing out of turn, or potting the wrong ball.

Free ball

If a player is snookered after a foul, they may nominate any ball as a free ball. That ball takes on the value of the ball on.

Maximum break

A maximum break of 147 is achieved by potting all 15 reds each followed by black (15 × 8 = 120), then yellow through black (2+3+4+5+6+7 = 27). Total: 147.

Also known as British pool

English Pool (Blackball)

English pool is played on a smaller 7 ft table with reds and yellows (rather than solids and stripes). Widely played at local halls across Kenya.

Object of the game

Pocket all balls of your colour — reds or yellows — then legally pot the black ball in a called pocket.

Break

Only the cue ball and the rack are on the table at the start. The breaker strikes the pack from behind the baulk line. Groups are not decided until a ball is potted after the break.

Fouls

Fouls include: potting the cue ball, failing to hit your own colour first, potting an opponent's ball, or the cue ball not contacting any ball. The opponent gets two visits (plays twice).

Winning

The black must be called (pocket nominated) and potted only after all balls of your colour are cleared. Potting the black when balls of your colour remain is an immediate loss.

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