Opening Break

In 10 ball billiards, players lag, or coin flip to determine who will take the opening break shot. In professional tournaments, players always lag for break. It may also be determined before beginning play, that the winner or loser of the previous game will always perform the next opening break shot or vice versa. The winner of the lag or coin toss has the option of taking the break shot or passing it on to the other player.
In order for a break shot to be legal, one object ball must be contacted and a ball pocketed, or four object balls must be driven to a rail. If the breaking player does not perform a legal break shot in a 10 ball billiards game, their opponent has the option of requesting a re rack and taking the break shot, or they may elect to continue play with the table as is, as though a regular foul had occurred. If the original breaking player pockets a ball legally and does not foul, their inning continues at the table.