Three-Ball Pool Basic Game / Tournament Instructions

Three-ball is a fun group pool game that uses a point scoring system to determine the winner.
The object of the game is to break and pocket three object balls (in no particular order) in the least
amount of shots committing the least amount of fouls.

Feel free to print these instructions.  Just remember, these are basic 3-ball pool game instructions.
You may know of (or can find) other game variations you prefer to use.  Just remember to announce
the game specifics to all players in the group before play begins. 

Balls Used: Three standard (2¼“) pool object balls and the cue ball
Game Rack: 3-Ball Rack (used to align the three object balls)

The game begins by placing any three object balls into the 3-Ball Rack.  Position the rack
(as you would for 8-ball or 9-ball pool) so that the lead object ball rests on the foot spot of the pool table.
With the three balls pressed forward and touching each other, simply slide the 3-Ball Rack forward and
lift to remove.

The first player in the group positions the cue ball anywhere behind the head string of the pool table
(known as the kitchen) for the break.  That player breaks and continues to shoot until all three object
balls are pocketed.  The number of shots that player took to pocket all three object balls
(including FOUL points as explained below) is that players score for their inning played. 

A new rack of three object balls is positioned for the next player in the group and play continues in the
same manner.  At the end of all innings, when each player in the group has played out their individual
rack of three object balls, the player with the lowest score is the winner.

Rules
It is not necessary to call pockets, balls, combination or bank shots.
The cue ball must cross the head string to count as a legal break.
No balls need to contact a rail on the table to constitute a legal shot or break.

One Tie - All Tie
In the event of a tie, where any two players have the same score, another inning for the entire group
shall be played to determine a winner.  The group may also allow only tied players to repeat innings
to determine a winner.  The group however must agree to this rule change before play begins.

Scoring

Break: With or without any or all object balls hit / pocketed counts as one (1) point.  If the object balls
are missed during a legal break, the cue ball is played from the spot where it stops moving.  It is not
reset behind the head string for another break attempt.

Shots: Each shot taken after the break counts as one (1) point.

Fouls: A foul of any kind counts as an additional point added to the players score.
The following are examples of common fouls.

Scratch: Pocketing the cue ball or knocking it off the pool table.
Example: A player breaks and pockets all three object balls but knocks the cue ball off the table.
The score is two (2) points.  One point for the shot and one point for the foul.

Resetting the Cue ball: If the cue ball is pocketed or knocked off the pool table and needs to be reset,
it is placed anywhere behind the head string and play continues.

Double Hit: On the cue ball with the cue stick.  One point for the shot and one point for the foul.

Moving A Ball: By hand or with the butt of the cue stick.  One point for the shot and one point for the foul.  

Knocking an Object Ball Off the Pool Table: The player does not receive a foul point for knocking
an object ball off the pool table, as it will require at least one more shot to finish their rack once the object ball is reset on the table.

Resetting the Object Ball: The object ball is returned to the table and placed on the foot spot or directly behind it if there is another object ball resting on that spot.  If more than one object ball is to be reset, they are to be lined up with the first ball on the foot spot and the remaining balls placed directly behind it.
The cue ball is played from the spot where it has stopped moving. 

Tournament Play

3 Innings – Each player will shoot three (3) innings (also known as a "Round"). 
A player’s combined score from each inning played is their Total Round Score. 

A Three-Ball pool tournament can consist of one (1) round of three (3) innings per player.
It can also be spread out over many rounds and many weeks of play.

The tournament winner is the player with the lowest Total Round Score at the end of the tournament. 

Order of Play – (for all innings) shall be in order of sign-up.  This makes score keeping easier.

Five Shots – To conserve time allowing everyone to play, five shots per inning is the limit.
A player that does not pocket the three object balls in five (5) shots shall receive a five (5) as their
score for that inning.

Racking – Using the 3-Ball Rack to insure a consistent and fair alignment of the three object balls,
each player will rack for the next player in the game.

Tournament Tie – In the event of a tournament tie, those players with a tie score shall play a
Tie Breaker round (of three (3) innings) to determine the winner.  As this is a process of elimination,
only players with tied scores will continue on with Tie Breaker rounds until one player wins the
tournament with the lowest score at the end of a round.

Money Game

Players pay a predetermined "Ante" prior to the start of the game.  This will be the "Prize Money"
for the game winner.  One (1) round consisting of one (1) inning per player is played.  The player with
the lowest score at the end of the round is the game winner. 

One Tie All Tie – In the event of a tie, where any two players have the same score, another round for
the entire group shall be played to determine a winner.  Players will pay the predetermined "Ante" at the beginning of each additional round.  The "Prize Pot" continues to grow until the player with the lowest
score at the end of a round wins it. 

Other Game Variations or Rule Changes – You may know of other Three-Ball pool game variations
to play.  Just remember to announce the game specifics to all players in the group before play begins. 

Why use the 3-Ball Rack...

When playing three-ball, different players will "rack" the three object balls at the start of another players
turn.  Usually, the last player racking for the next. 
 
The 3-Ball Rack was designed to align the three object balls - for the break - the same way for every
player in the game (or tournament), no matter who does the racking.  The 3-Ball Rack helps to eliminate
the risk of accidental misalignments and "loose racks", leading to... you guessed it, bad breaks and no fun! The 3-Ball Rack keeps the game fair for everyone.  

Order your 3-Ball Rack Today!
3-Ball Pool Game / Tournament Racks available at www.3ballrack.com

 Click Here to Order