8 Ball Pool
Aim, set your power and sink your group, then the 8.
Your turn: ball in hand
Break! Place the cue ball behind the line, aim by dragging on the table, then pull the power bar.
Drag on the table to aim. Drag the power bar and release to shoot. Keyboard: arrows aim (Shift for fine), hold Space for power.
How to play 8 Ball Pool
Goal
Pot all of your solids or stripes, then sink the 8 ball.
- 1Drag on the table to aim. The dotted guide shows what the cue ball hits first.
- 2Drag the power bar and let go to shoot.
- 3The first ball you pot sets your group: solids (1 to 7) or stripes (9 to 15).
- 4A scratch or hitting the wrong ball first is a foul and gives ball in hand.
- 5Clear your group, then pot the 8. Sinking it early loses the game.
On a computer
Drag on the table to aim, arrow keys fine tune. Drag the power bar or hold Space, then release.
On a phone
Drag on the table to aim, drag the power bar below it and release to shoot.
Play 8 Ball Pool free online against the computer or a friend. Real ball physics, a power meter and aim guide, and touch controls made for phones.
8 Ball Pool tips and strategy
- Watch the ghost ball circle at the end of the guide. That is exactly where the cue ball will make contact.
- Soft shots are easier to control. Use full power for the break and long shots only.
- Before shooting, think about where the cue ball will stop. Leaving it near your next ball sets up a run.
- If you have no good pot, play safe by tapping your ball gently so your opponent is left with nothing.
- Clear balls that sit near pockets early, before they get blocked by your opponent's group.
- With ball in hand, place the cue ball in a straight line behind your target and the pocket.
About 8 Ball Pool
8 Ball Pool is the most popular cue sports game in the world, and this free version brings it to your browser with real ball physics. Balls bounce off each other and the cushions, slow down with friction, and drop when they reach a pocket. Fifteen numbered balls are racked in a triangle: solids numbered 1 to 7, stripes numbered 9 to 15, and the black 8 ball in the middle.
We use simple, friendly rules. The table stays open after the break. The first ball you pot after that decides your group, and your opponent gets the other. Potting one of your own balls lets you shoot again. A scratch, missing every ball, or hitting the wrong ball first is a foul, and your opponent gets ball in hand to place the cue ball anywhere. Once your group is clear, pot the 8 to win. Sink it early or foul on it and you lose.
Play the computer on three levels or pass the device to a friend. On easy the aim guide shows where both balls will go, while on hard the guide is short and the computer rarely misses. On a phone the table turns upright so you can aim with your thumb.
8 Ball Pool FAQ
How do you decide solids or stripes?
The table is open after the break. The first ball you legally pot after that sets your group, and your opponent gets the other.
What is a foul in 8 ball?
Potting the cue ball, hitting nothing, or hitting an opponent's ball or the 8 before your own. A foul gives the other player ball in hand.
What happens if the 8 ball goes in early?
Potting the 8 before your group is cleared, or with a foul, loses the game. If it drops on the break, it is placed back on its spot.
Can I play pool on my phone?
Yes. On narrow screens the table rotates to stand upright. Drag to aim and use the power bar below the table.
Can two people play?
Yes. Choose 2 Players and take turns on the same device.