Rules to play Bank pool
1. Bank pool
Bank pool?is a?pool (pocket billiards)?game that has as its most fundamental requirement that all scoring shots in the game must be made by?banking?a called ball off a?cushion?and into a called pocket. While the game has multiple variations, the predominant version through much of its history was played with a full fifteenball?rack, of which the winning player was required to legally pocket eight balls. A shortened version of the game using nine balls of which the players must legally pocket five for the win, often called nineball banks, gained popularity in the 1990s and 2000s and is the subject of international professional competition and televised matches.
2. Bank Pool Rules
Bank pool rules outline the game of bank pool or billiards, which is a very good game to force one to practice their bank shots.
3. Bank Pool Billiards Rules
Bank Pool should be played according to the General Rules of Pocket Billiards unless explicitly noted otherwise in this specific Bank Pool rule set.
This page contains references to some material that is copyrighted by the Billiard Congress of America. Any modification or sale of such information herein is strictly prohibited by the laws governing that copyright. Please direct questions regarding interpretation of the following, or information on how to receive the current BCA Billiards The Official Rules and Records book to the Billiard Congress of America.
If there are any terms throughout the Bank Pool Rules that you do not understand, you can search our billiard terms glossary in the search box near the top left of the page, or search the billiard terms glossary directly.
This page contains references to some material that is copyrighted by the Billiard Congress of America. Any modification or sale of such information herein is strictly prohibited by the laws governing that copyright. Please direct questions regarding interpretation of the following, or information on how to receive the current BCA Billiards The Official Rules and Records book to the Billiard Congress of America.
If there are any terms throughout the Bank Pool Rules that you do not understand, you can search our billiard terms glossary in the search box near the top left of the page, or search the billiard terms glossary directly.
4. Type of Game
Bank Pool is a game where legally pocketed balls must be banked into the pocket using one or more banks. Any ball on the table can be selected.
5. Object of Bank Pool Billiards
The object of Bank Pool is to be the first player, or team, to legally sink eight balls. The goal is to outscore your opponents by pocketing bank shots, as the name suggests. For the shot to accrue points for the shooting player, it must be a legal bank shot.
6. Players
Bank Pool is played by either two individuals, or in teams of two.
7. Balls Used
Bank Pool uses object balls numbered one through 15, plus the cue ball.
8. The Rack
A standard triangle rack is used in Bank Pool. The balls can be racked in any order. All object balls are to be tightly racked in no particular order in a standard rack. The head ball is placed as nearly as possible on the foot spot.
9. Bank Pool Break Shot
The opening break shot is considered to be a free shot. If any balls are pocketed on the break, they are spotted and the breaker remains at the table. If nothing is made, the breakers inning is over.
The players may flip a coin or lag for the first break. For games that follow, the winner of the previous rack has the option of breaking in the following rack. Players my elect to have the break alternate between players regardless of which player won the previous rack. Any object balls pocketed on the break entitle the shooter to continue their inning, but they are not scored for the breaker. Instead, they are held for spotting at the end of the breakers inning. If the breaker fails to meet legal breaking requirements, the opposing player has the option to start play where the balls lie or require their opponent to rebreak. There is no further penalty unless a foul or scratch occurs.
With full rack banks, all fifteen balls are tightly racked in the standard triangle formation. On the opening break the cue ball may contact any ball first, but after contact, at least two object balls must contact a cushion. With nineball banks, any nine balls are tightly racked in the standard nineball diamond formation. On the opening break the head ball must be struck first, driving at least one object ball past the side pockets.
In any multiplayer ring game the break rotates in the same order in which the players shoot. Every time the break completes a cycle through all the players, where each player has broken one rack, then a new shooting and breaking order is determined. Likewise, if any players enter or exit the game, a new shooting and breaking order is determined at such a time.
The players may flip a coin or lag for the first break. For games that follow, the winner of the previous rack has the option of breaking in the following rack. Players my elect to have the break alternate between players regardless of which player won the previous rack. Any object balls pocketed on the break entitle the shooter to continue their inning, but they are not scored for the breaker. Instead, they are held for spotting at the end of the breakers inning. If the breaker fails to meet legal breaking requirements, the opposing player has the option to start play where the balls lie or require their opponent to rebreak. There is no further penalty unless a foul or scratch occurs.
With full rack banks, all fifteen balls are tightly racked in the standard triangle formation. On the opening break the cue ball may contact any ball first, but after contact, at least two object balls must contact a cushion. With nineball banks, any nine balls are tightly racked in the standard nineball diamond formation. On the opening break the head ball must be struck first, driving at least one object ball past the side pockets.
In any multiplayer ring game the break rotates in the same order in which the players shoot. Every time the break completes a cycle through all the players, where each player has broken one rack, then a new shooting and breaking order is determined. Likewise, if any players enter or exit the game, a new shooting and breaking order is determined at such a time.
10. Safety Play
Safeties are allowed in Bank Pool, however, the standard World rules 3.19 apply. After the cue ball contacts at least one object ball, the shooter must either pocket a ball or cause the cue ball or at least one object ball to contact a cushion. There is no penalty for directly or indirectly pocketing an object ball. Pocketing any ball other than a legal called bank does not entitle the shooting player to continue their inning.
