What is a ten-ball?
The only difference is that there is one more target ball and the shape of the rack has changed from a diamond to a triangle, but if you pocket the number 10 ball before your opponent, you win. However, with just one more target ball on the table, while adhering to the constraint of hitting and pocketing the target ball in order starting with the lowest numbered ball, the game continues to drop without making a mistake until the 10th ball, which is the final ball. ” (Maswari) difficulty level will increase. Furthermore, Ten Ball uses a “called shot” rule in which you specify the target ball to shoot and the pocket to put it in, making it even more difficult. As it tests true billiard ability, it tends to be preferred by high-level players, and the number of tournaments featuring ten-ball as an event is increasing, both domestically and internationally.
Basic rules of ten ball
■Ball used
10 target balls from ball 1 to ball 10 and a cue ball
■How to assemble a rack
Place the No. 1 ball at the top of the rack as seen from the side that will make the break shot, and the No. 10 ball in the center of the third row behind it. Other balls can be placed in any position. (Figure 1. *Depending on the tournament, the positions of the 2nd and 3rd balls may be set to arbitrary positions on either side of the 5th row.)
■Game purpose
Pocket the number 10 ball before your opponent.
■Basic rule points
For all shots other than break shots, the “called shot” rule, which specifies the target ball you are shooting and the pocket you are placing it in, applies. In addition, a player who has the right to play must first hit the lowest-numbered target ball remaining on the table when making a shot.
The flow of ten balls and winning/losing
Step 1: Decide on the match format
The player who pockets the No. 10 ball earns 1 point and 1 rack (1 game) ends, so when competing, the format of the match is decided in advance, such as first to win 5 racks (games) or first to win 7 racks. After that, the game starts with banking to decide who goes first and who goes second (Figure 2).
If there is a difference in ability between you and your opponent, you can handicap them by the number of games they have won, such as “My opponent is 5-3,” or “If my opponent throws a number 10 ball, and I throw a ball number 8 or higher, I get 1 point.” There are also ways to play with a handicap.
Step 2: From break shot to end of game
The first player starts the game by taking a break shot from any position in the kitchen (Figures 3 and 4).
At this time, if any of the 10 target balls are pocketed without committing a foul, play continues (refer to “Original Rule 1” for the case where the 10th ball is pocketed), and the ball is fouled or Turns change if no target balls are pocketed. The player who has the right to shoot must continue playing according to the called shot rule (Figure 5).
At this time, if there is no target ball to shoot at, and there is no intention to shoot, the player will call “Safety” (Figure 6), shoot, and then take turns with the opponent.
In this way, players continue to play while always clearly indicating whether it is a shot or a safety, and in the end, the player who gets the number 10 ball in first wins one point. Also, if it is a called shot, you will earn 1 point if you pocket the No. 10 ball even if there are other target balls remaining on the table.
Points of rules to have fun playing
Foul 1: Type of foul
In addition to the common fouls in pocket billiards (*), in nine-ball, if the shot cue ball does not hit the lowest-numbered target ball first (no-hit), the shot cue ball hits the lowest-numbered target ball. If neither the cue ball nor the target ball reaches the cushion (no cushion), it is a foul (Figure 7).
Furthermore, in ten-ball, if the same player commits three consecutive fouls on their turn, a penalty of losing one rack will be applied at that point (three fouls).
Foul 2: Foul on break shot
If the target ball does not pocket in a ten-ball break shot, if four or more target balls (including the cue ball) do not hit the cushion after the cue ball hits the first ball, it will be a breaking foul and the opposing player must: You will be given three options.
- The rack is reassembled, and the player with the choice takes another break shot.
- Reassemble the rack again and force the player who committed the foul to break the shot again.
- The player with the right to choose continues to play as is.
Foul 3: If you foul
If a foul is committed in ten balls, the opposing player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table and resume play from there. In Japan, this is called “free ball” or “free cue ball” (Figure 8).
Foul 4: Handling the ball after a foul
A target ball that is pocketed as a result of a foul shot or a target ball that goes out of bounds will not be returned to the table, and play will resume as if it had been pocketed. However, only the 10th ball should be returned to the foot spot (Figure 8).
Original Rule 1: If the number 10 ball goes in with a break shot
In 10-ball, the 10th ball pocketed by a break shot is returned to the foot spot (Figure 8) (*Depending on the tournament, it may become a 1-point “Break Ace”). If only the No. 10 ball is pocketed during the break shot, it will be recognized as a pocketed target ball, and the player who made the break shot may continue play after returning the No. 10 ball to the footpot.
Original Rule 2: Push out
For example, immediately after a break shot, if the position is not considered to be very advantageous for the player who has the right to take the shot, in ten-ball, you can choose to “push out” only once. This is a rule that allows the player to hit the cue ball in any position without being charged a no-cushion or no-hit foul (Figure 9).
The player who was pushed out has the option to either shoot the ball in the same cue ball position and resume play, or pass and let his opponent shoot.
Original Rule 3: Option
Another rule that is different from 9-ball is “option.” In ten-ball, which is played by called shots, in addition to situations in which a turn is changed due to a simple shot error without a foul, player changes may occur in the following situations.
① A different target ball than the called target ball is pocketed (Figure 10).
The so-called target ball went into another pocket (Figure 11).
I called a safety and took a shot, but somehow the target ball was pocketed.
At this time, basically the same as in 9-ball, a turn is changed due to a missed shot, but the player who has the right to make a shot looks at the situation on the table that is left and decides whether or not to play from that state. You can choose to restart the game (Figure 11) or pass the shot and give the turn to your opponent (Figure 12).
This option, similar to the push-out, was designed to eliminate as much as possible the element of “luck” that occurs in each ruck caused by accidental ball movement and to advance the game with more playing technique. You can say that.
Common fouls in pocket billiards
- A foul is where the cue ball from a scratch
shot falls into the pocket, either directly or after hitting some target ball. The subsequent processing will vary depending on the type of game. - Touching the Ball
The only thing you can touch the cue ball with when shooting is the leather tap attached to the cue tip. Touching any other part will result in a foul. It is also a foul if you touch the target ball. - Outside the Ballpark
If the cue ball is shot and goes off the table, or if the target ball goes off the table as a result of a shot, it is a foul. - Double Hit
The tap may only touch the cue ball once during a single shot. If you hit the cue ball more than once once it has been shot, it will be a foul. - Both Feet Leave the Floor
At the moment of the shot, one foot must be touching the ground, even just the toes. For example, if you sit on a table and shoot with your feet in the air, it will be a foul. - Adding a landmark
When taking a shot, it is a foul if you place any kind of landmark to help you identify where you want to aim.
