Last Updated: October 24, 2025

Quick Takeaways

Hybrid Equipment: American 9-foot tables with smaller 2-inch balls (like English pool)
Tighter Pockets: Smaller balls plus tighter pocket specifications = precision required
Call Shot Required: Must call ball and pocket (no slop)
Push-Out Rule: After break, option to push-out (declare position-only shot)
International Growth: Major tournaments in Asia with $100,000+ prize pools

Introduction

Chinese 8-ball is the fastest-growing cue sport globally. Combining elements of American and English pool, it creates a uniquely challenging game that’s attracted millions of players in Asia and is expanding worldwide.

I first encountered Chinese 8-ball at an international tournament and was immediately humbled. The smaller balls on 9-foot tables with tight pockets demand precision I didn’t possess playing American 8-ball.

This guide covers official Chinese 8-ball rules as played in professional tournaments and increasingly in pool halls internationally.

Equipment Specifications

Table Requirements

Official Chinese 8-Ball Table:

Size: 9 feet Ã— 4.5 feet (tournament standard)
Playing surface: Same as American 9-foot table
Slate: 1-inch minimum
Cushions: Standard height (63.5% ball diameter)

Pocket Specifications:

Corner pockets: 4.5-4.625 inches (11.4-11.7cm)
Side pockets: 5.0-5.125 inches (12.7-13.0cm)

Critical Detail:

Pockets are 0.25-0.5 inches tighter than American tables. Combined with smaller balls, creates very challenging pocket-making.

Balls

Chinese 8-Ball Set:

Size: 2 inches (52.5mm) diameter
Same size as English pool balls
BUT: Numbered like American balls
15 object balls (1-15) plus cue ball
Solids (1-7), Stripes (9-15), Black 8-ball
Weight: 4.9-5.0 oz per ball

Key Difference:

Small balls on large table with tight pockets. Much harder than American pool.

Cues

Recommended Specifications:

Weight: 18-19 oz (lighter than American standard)
Tip size: 9-10mm (smaller than American 12-13mm)
Length: Standard 58 inches

Smaller balls and tighter pockets favor smaller tips for precision.

Official Chinese 8-Ball Rules

Game Objective

Legally pocket all balls in your group (solids or stripes), then legally pocket the 8-ball to win.

Rack Setup

Standard Triangle Rack:

8-ball in center position
One corner: solid ball
Other corner: striped ball
Remaining balls random
Tight rack required (no gaps)

The Break

Break Requirements:

Break from kitchen (behind head string)
Legal break requires:

At least one ball pocketed, OR
Minimum four object balls hit cushions, AND
No fouls committed

Break Results:

Legal Break with Ball(s) Pocketed:

Breaker continues shooting
Groups not yet assigned (see below)
Special rule: If 8-ball pocketed on break = automatic win

Legal Break, No Balls Pocketed:

Opponent has option to:
Shoot from current position, OR
Pass turn back to breaker

Illegal Break:

Opponent may:
Accept table as is and shoot, OR
Request re-rack and break themselves, OR
Request re-rack and have original breaker re-break

Push-Out Rule (Unique to Chinese 8-Ball)

After the break, breaker has one-time option to declare “push-out”:

What Is Push-Out:

A legal shot where you’re only trying to move cue ball to better position
No requirement to hit any ball
No requirement to hit cushion
Cannot pocket any ball (if ball pocketed, standard rules apply)

When to Use:

After break, if cue ball is in poor position with no good shot

Procedure:

Announce “push-out”
Shoot cue ball to new position
Opponent may:

Shoot from new position, OR
Pass turn back to you

Strategic Purpose:

Prevents automatic disadvantage from bad break position. Adds strategic depth.

Group Assignment

First Legally Pocketed Ball:

Determines your group (solids or stripes)

Important:

Ball must be legally pocketed (called shot)
Break doesn’t determine groups even if balls pocketed
Push-out doesn’t determine groups

Example:

Player A breaks, pockets 3-ball and 10-ball
Table is “open” (groups not assigned yet)
Player A calls 5-ball in corner
Makes shot legally
Player A is now “solids,” must pocket 1,2,4,6,7 then 8-ball

Call Shot Requirement

MUST Call on Every Shot:

Which ball you’re shooting
Which pocket it will go into
Applies to all shots except break

Don’t Need to Call:

Banks, combinations, kisses, caroms
Path of cue ball after shot

Slop Doesn’t Count:

If you make a ball in wrong pocket: Ball stays down but turn ends
If you make wrong ball: Foul

Example:

Call “5-ball, corner pocket”
Hit 5-ball, it banks off cushion and goes in side pocket
Ball stays down, but turn ends (wrong pocket)

Legal Shot Requirements

Every Shot Must:

Hit your ball first (or any ball if table is open)
After contact:

Pocket called ball in called pocket, OR
Cue ball hits cushion, OR
Object ball hits cushion

Failure = Foul

Pocketing the 8-Ball

When Legal to Shoot 8:

After all your group balls are pocketed

How to Win:

Call pocket: “8-ball, corner pocket”
Legally pocket 8-ball in called pocket
No fouls committed

How to Lose:

Pocket 8-ball before clearing your group
Scratch while pocketing 8-ball
Pocket 8-ball in wrong pocket
Foul on same shot as pocketing 8-ball
Knock 8-ball off table

Fouls

Common Fouls

Scratch (cue ball pocketed)
Wrong ball first (hitting opponent’s ball or 8-ball when not legal)
No rail (no ball hits cushion after contact, and no ball pocketed)
Double hit
Push shot (prolonged cue contact)
Ball off table
Touching balls
Jump shot foul (scooping under cue ball)

Foul Penalties

Standard Foul:

Opponent gets ball in hand
May place cue ball anywhere on table
May shoot in any direction

Three Consecutive Fouls:

Automatic loss
Must warn player after second foul

Strategic Differences from American 8-Ball

Precision Requirements

Smaller Margin for Error:

Tight pockets punish slight mis-hits
Position play must be exact
“Good enough” in American pool misses in Chinese pool

Call Shot Impact

Slop Doesn’t Count:

Can’t rely on lucky makes
Must play intended shots only
Forces strategic shot selection

Push-Out Strategy

Adds Tactical Layer:

Use to escape bad break positions
Can force opponent into difficult situation
Requires strategic thinking beyond standard pool

Tournament Play

Growing International Presence

Major Events:

Chinese 8-Ball International Masters (prize pool $100,000+)
Expanding to Europe, Americas
Professional player circuit developing

Skill Level:

Top Chinese 8-ball professionals demonstrate remarkable precision. Game rewards consistency over power.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can you play Chinese 8-ball on an American 8-ball table?

A: Technically yes, but you’d need Chinese 8-ball sized balls (2 inches). The game would play significantly easier with larger American pockets. Tournament play requires specific table specifications.

Q: What if you make the 8-ball on the break?

A: Automatic win (unlike American 8-ball where it’s often re-racked).

Q: Do you have to call combinations and banks?

A: You must call which ball and which pocket. You don’t need to call that it’s a bank or combination – only the result.

Q: What happens after a push-out?

A: Opponent may either shoot from the new position or pass the shot back to you. This adds strategic complexity to post-break play.

Learning Chinese 8-Ball

Skill Transfer from American Pool

What Transfers:

Basic stroke mechanics
Position play concepts
Pattern recognition

What Doesn’t:

Pocket forgiveness (must be more accurate)
Slop tolerance (must call everything)
Break strategy (different table/ball dynamics)

Practice Recommendations

Focus Areas for American Players:

Precision aiming (smaller target windows)
Call shot discipline (no relying on luck)
Position play refinement (exactness required)
Push-out strategy (unique tactical element)

About the Author

Derek Jones

Derek is an APA Skill Level 6-7 league player who has studied Chinese 8-ball as part of exploring international pool variations. He brings comparative perspective on the differences between American and Chinese pool formats.

Expertise: Multiple pool game formats, international rules variations, league play

Experience: 12+ years competitive pool, exposure to Chinese 8-ball through international tournaments

Chinese Pool: Eight-Ball Chinese Rules