3.3 Break Shot

The following rules apply to the break shot:

• The cue ball begins in hand behind the head string.
• No ball is called, and the cue ball is not required to hit any particular object ball first.
• If the breaker pockets a ball and does not foul, he continues at the table, and the table remains open. (See 3.4 Open Table / Choosing Groups.)
• If no object ball is pocketed, at least four object balls must be driven to one or more rails, or the shot results in an illegal break, and the incoming player has the option of
• accepting the table in position, or
• re-racking and breaking, or
• re-racking and allowing the offending player to break again.
• Pocketing the eight ball on a legal break shot is not a foul. If the eight ball is pocketed, the breaker has the option of
• re-spotting the eight ball and accepting the balls in position, or
• re-breaking.
• If the breaker pockets the eight ball and scratches (see definition 8.6 Scratch), the opponent has the option of
• re-spotting the eight ball and shooting with cue ball in hand behind the head string; or
• re-breaking.
• If any object ball is driven off the table on a break shot, it is a foul; such balls remain out of play (except the eight ball which is re-spotted); and the incoming player has the option of
• accepting the table in position, or
• taking cue ball in hand behind the head string.
• If the breaker fouls in any manner not listed above, the following player has the option of
• accepting the balls in position, or
• taking cue ball in hand behind the head string.