Breaking - Rule of the Week

April 23, 2026 at 3:38 PM

by San Diego APA

Breaking - Rule of the Week

April 23, 2026 at 3:38 PM

by San Diego APA

Situation: My opponent was breaking 8-ball and hit the 3rd row. Is this a foul or an illegal break?

It is an illegal break. The cue ball must make contact with the rack as follows to be considered legal:

8-Ball - The head ball or the second row of balls must be struck first. Failure to strike the head ball or second row of balls does not result in a foul.

If the rack is struck, but the break does not qualify as legal, the balls are reracked by the non-breaking player and rebroken by the same breaking player.

If the rack is struck, but the break does not qualify as legal and results in a scratch, the balls are reracked and broken by the opposite player.

Rule: Official Team Manual (OTM) page 45-46 section 3 “Breaking”: https://media.poolplayers.com/TMRB/Team-Manual-English.pdf

This section also covers:

  • Same scenario but for 9-ball.
  • Players physically unable to break and what happens.
  • Where the cue ball needs to be to break.
  • Legal and non-legal breaks.
  • When the break switches to your opponent.
  • Where the rack must be struck.
  • Soft breaking.

You can submit a "Rule of the Week" to the league office:

  • Email to sandiego@apaleagues.com.
  • Email Subject Line must read “SDAPA Rule of the Week”
  • Clearly state the rule/situation and if you know where the answer is found please provide those details.

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