10 Ball Rules

1. The Game
10-Ball is played with a cue ball and nine object balls numbered 1 through 10. You shoot the balls in ascending numerical order, receiving credit for any ball legally pocketed. The 10-ball is the game winning ball. The object of the game is to pocket the 10-ball on any legal shot. The game is played by two players or two teams.
 

2. 10-Ball Rack
The balls are racked as follows :
 

e. in a diamond shape with the 1-ball as the apex ball on the foot spot;
 

f. the rows behind the apex are parallel to the foot string;
 

g. the 10-ball is in the middle of the row of three balls;
 

h. The remaining balls are placed at random. Apex ball on foot spot.

3. Break Requirements
1. You begin the break with ball in hand behind the head string. The cue ball must contact the 1-ball before any other ball or cushion or it is a foul. You must either pocket a ball or cause at least four object balls to contact one or more cushions, or it is a foul.
 

2. Jumped object balls other than the 10-ball are not returned to the table. If the 10-ball is jumped, it is spotted.
 

3. If you legally pocket a ball, you continue to shoot. Your inning ends if you do not pocket a ball or if you foul. If you legally pocket the 10-ball on the break, you win the game. If you foul on the break and pocket the 10-ball, it is spotted.
 

4. Push-out After the Break
1. If there was no foul on the break, the player taking the first shot after the break has the option to shoot a push-out. On a push-out:
 

e. you must notify your opponent before the shot and your opponent must acknowledge your intention;
 

f. the cue ball does not have to contact the lowest numbered ball first, or any object ball at all;
 

g. no ball has to contact a cushion
 

h. all other rules and fouls still apply.
 

2. Any object balls except the 10-ball that are pocketed on a push-out remain pocketed. If the 10-ball is pocketed it is spotted.
 

3. After a push-out, your opponent may:
 

c. accept the table in position and shoot, or;
 

d. require you to shoot again with the table in position.
 

5. Continuing Play
1. After the break (and push-out, if one occurs), play continues as follows:
 

e. the lowest numbered ball on the table must be the first object ball contacted by the cue ball or it is a foul;
 

f. if you legally pocket any ball your inning must continue;
 

g. the 10-ball is spotted if it is illegally pocketed or if it is jumped;
 

h. other jumped balls and illegally pocketed balls are not returned to the table.
 

2. When it is your inning, you must continue to shoot as long as you legally pocket a ball on each shot. Your inning ends if you do not legally pocket a ball.
 

3. The game is won by the player who legally pockets the 10-ball.
 

6. Three Successive Fouls
You lose the game if you commit three successive fouls in one game.
 

7. Stalemate
If a referee judges that the table is in a position such that any attempt to pocket or move a ball will result in loss of game, and each player has had three consecutive innings without significantly changing the position, the referee will declare a stalemate. The game will be replayed with the player who broke the game breaking again.
 

Source: Official Rules Of The BCA Pool League