Billiard Game Strategies

Nine Ball Strategy

If possible, run all the balls off the table from the break. If that seems unlikely, keep an eye out for good safety possibilities. Play to miss and leave the cue ball where it is impossible or very difficult to hit the object ball. If your opponent fails to hit the lowest object ball first, you get ball in hand anywhere. Look for shots to pocket the nine ball early, but if you play a combination shot on the nine, be sure to hit it firmly enough that the nine is not left as a duck sitting in the jaws of the pocket in case you miss. If you push out after the break, try to leave a hard shot but not impossible — make it hard for your opponent to decide whether to pass it back to you.

Eight Ball Strategy

UK Rule

Determine if running the table is possible. If not plan on playing safe at some point. Never shoot balls without having another shot or safety in mind for the next shot. If you clear most of your balls off the table and give your opponent a chance they will probably run the table. Pocket balls until you reach your safety shot and try to snooker your opponent so they have to kick at balls or foul and give you an opportunity to win. The best type of safety is one that snookers your opponent and clears up any balls you have clustered. This improves your chance of winning on the next turn and puts your opponent in a bad position. When you have a free shot look to use it to clear up clusters or knock opponents balls that block yours out of the way. Trying to make a ball on a free shot is not always the best play.

APA Rule

Determine if running the table is possible. If not plan on playing safe at some point. Never shoot balls without having another shot or safety in mind the next shot. If you clear most of your balls off the table and give your opponent a chance they will probably run the table. Pocket balls until you reach your safety shot and try to snooker your opponent so they have to kick at balls or foul and give you an opportunity to win. The best type of safety is one that snookers your opponent and clears up any balls you have clustered. Which improves your chance of winning on the next turn and puts your opponent in a bad position. If you are breaking you can win by pocketing the eight ball on the break. Try to break from near the side rail and hit the second ball as full as possible. The eight ball will tend to go in the opposite side.

BCA Rule

Determine if a running the table is possible. If not plan on playing safe at some point. Never shoot balls without having another shot or safety in mind the next shot. If you clear most of your balls off the table and give your opponent a chance they will probably run the table. Pocket balls until you reach your safety shot and try to snooker your opponent so they have to kick at balls or foul and give you an opportunity to win. The best type of safety is one that snookers your opponent and clears up any balls you have clustered. This improves your chance of winning on the next turn and puts your opponent in a bad position.

Snooker Strategy

Play safe until a good shot opportunity is presented. During the Red phase, make sure you can get shape on a colour when pocketing a Red. It’s not worth leaving your opponent a good opportunity for a 1 point score. The best safeties snooker your opponent giving you a chance to score if the ball on is not hit and forcing a kick shot that could leave you a good opportunity. If you can’t snooker your opponent with a safe leave a long shot as they are difficult to pocket on a snooker table. Play to pocket the Blue, Pink and Black as they are worth the most points. You can play shots that are both offensive and defensive by playing shape on balls toward the baulk end of the table when all Reds are near the rack. Shooting a Red and running the cue back up the table leave a long shot if missed and a possible score on the Yellow, Green, or Brown if made. During the Colour Phase try to run the table if possible. If there are balls on rails or in clusters play the open balls and then play safe. Keep track of the score. If you are behind and there are not enough points on the table to win you need to play for a snooker to score the extra points necessary. If you are ahead and there are just enough points left on the table for your opponent to win don’t take chances and sell out. Play conservatively and shoot balls when sure of pocketing or play for snookers to get enough points where your opponent needs snooker.

Nine Ball Game


Eight Ball Game


Snooker Game