Last Updated: October 24, 2025
Quick Takeaways
- Perfect for 3 Players: Cut throat elegantly handles odd numbers where 8-ball requires teams or sitting out
- Survival Strategy: You keep your balls on the table; opponents try to pocket them
- Ball Distribution: 1-5 (Player 1), 6-10 (Player 2), 11-15 (Player 3) in standard rules
- Win Condition: Last player with balls remaining on table wins
- Foul Penalty: Incoming player may place cue ball anywhere (ball in hand)
Introduction
I’ve played hundreds of cut throat games over 12 years of league play. It’s our go-to game when three players show up, and it works equally well for casual bar play and competitive matches.
The beauty of cut throat: it creates shifting alliances. Early game, everyone targets the player with most balls remaining. Late game, psychology and strategy matter as much as shot-making.
This guide covers official rules, common variations, and the strategic elements that make cut throat more interesting than random three-way pool.
Game Overview
Players: 3 (game designed specifically for three)
Equipment: Standard 15-ball set plus cue ball
Table: Any size (typically 7-8 foot for casual, 9-foot for competitive)
Difficulty: Beginner-friendly rules, intermediate+ strategic depth
Average Game Duration: 10-20 minutes
Objective:
Be the last player with one or more balls remaining on the table. Opponents pocket YOUR balls – you try to keep them on the table while eliminating theirs.
Equipment and Setup
Required Equipment
- Standard 15 object balls (numbered 1-15)
- Regulation cue ball
- Triangle rack
- Standard pool table with 6 pockets
Rack Setup
Standard Triangle Rack:
- Use standard triangle rack
- Place balls in any order (no specific positioning required)
- Apex ball on foot spot
- Ensure tight rack (no gaps between balls)
Alternative Setup (Tournament):
Some organized play specifies:
- Apex ball: 1-ball
- Back corners: 6-ball and 11-ball (each from different group)
- Remaining balls random
Most casual play uses completely random racking.
Ball Assignment
Standard Distribution
Three groups of 5 balls each:
- Player 1: Balls 1-5
- Player 2: Balls 6-10
- Player 3: Balls 11-15
Assignment Methods:
Method 1: Break Order Assignment (Most Common)
- First breaker gets 1-5
- Second in rotation gets 6-10
- Third player gets 11-15
Method 2: First Ball Pocketed
- Player who breaks gets balls from group of first ball pocketed
- If 7-ball pocketed on break: breaker gets 6-10
- Rotation continues clockwise for remaining assignments
Method 3: Choice
- Players choose groups before break
- Usually in order: breaker picks first, then clockwise
I prefer Method 1 for simplicity and fairness.
Breaking Rules
Legal Break Requirements
To execute a legal break:
- Break from kitchen (behind head string)
- Minimum requirement (choose one):
- Pocket at least one ball, OR
- Drive at least four object balls to cushions
- Cue ball must strike racked balls first
- No scratching on break
Break Results
Legal Break with Ball(s) Pocketed:
- Breaker’s turn continues
- Shoot at any opponent’s balls
- Balls pocketed on break stay down
Legal Break, No Balls Pocketed:
- Turn passes to next player
- Incoming player shoots from where cue ball stops
Illegal Break:
- Opponent may:
- Accept table as is, OR
- Require re-rack and re-break by original breaker
Scratch on Break:
- Turn ends
- Next player gets ball in hand (anywhere on table)
- Any balls pocketed on break return to table (spotted at foot spot)
Gameplay Rules
Turn Sequence
- Players shoot in clockwise rotation
- On your turn, shoot at any opponent’s ball (1-15 except your group)
- Turn continues while legally pocketing balls
- Turn ends when:
- You miss a shot
- You commit a foul
- No legal shots remain
Legal Shot Requirements
Every shot must meet ONE of these conditions:
- Cue ball contacts legal object ball first (any opponent’s ball)
- After contact, either:
- A ball is pocketed, OR
- Cue ball or any object ball contacts a cushion
What Makes a Ball Legal to Hit:
Any ball that belongs to an opponent (not your own balls).
Once Your Balls Are Gone:
If all your balls are pocketed, you’re eliminated. You don’t shoot until next game.
Pocketing Balls
Legally Pocketed Balls:
- Remain pocketed
- Count toward eliminating that player’s group
- No call shot requirement in standard rules (slop counts)
Your Own Balls:
If you accidentally pocket one of your own balls:
- Ball stays pocketed (standard rule)
- Your turn continues if you also pocketed opponent ball
- Variation: Some play that pocketing your own ball ends turn (house rule)
Multiple Balls on Single Shot:
If you pocket balls from multiple opponents:
- All legally pocketed balls stay down
- Turn continues
- Strategic play: eliminate one player entirely to create one-on-one
Fouls
Common Fouls
- Scratch (Cue Ball Pocketed)
- Most common foul
- Next player gets ball in hand
- No Rail After Contact
- Cue ball hits object ball but neither touches cushion afterward
- No ball pocketed on the shot
- Wrong Ball First
- Hitting one of your own balls before opponent’s ball
- If all your balls gone, hitting any ball is legal
- Double Hit
- Cue tip contacts cue ball twice in single stroke
- Ball Off Table
- Any ball (cue or object) leaves table surface
- Ball spotted at foot spot if object ball
- Foul if cue ball
- Moving Ball
- Shooting while any ball is still moving
- Touching any ball with hand, clothing, or cue (except during legal stroke)
Foul Penalties
Standard Penalty:
- Turn ends immediately
- Incoming player receives ball in hand
- May place cue ball anywhere on table
- May shoot at any legal ball
Balls Pocketed on Foul:
If only opponent’s balls pocketed: Stay down (your foul helped opponents)
If your own ball pocketed: Stay down (hurts you)
If scratched: All balls pocketed on that shot return to table
Winning the Game
Win Conditions
Primary Win Condition:
Last player with any balls remaining on the table wins.
Example:
- Player 1 has all balls pocketed
- Player 2 has all balls pocketed
- Player 3 has one ball remaining (15-ball still on table)
- Player 3 wins
Elimination Order
Players eliminated as all their balls are pocketed.
Strategic Note:
Sometimes better to leave one ball for each opponent rather than eliminating one player completely. This prevents two players teaming up against you.
Variations
Call Shot Cut Throat
Rule Change:
- Must call ball and pocket
- Slop doesn’t count
- Adds skill requirement
When to Use:
More competitive play, experienced players
Last Pocket Rule
Rule Change:
- The pocket where 15-ball (last ball) is pocketed determines winner
- If your group’s last ball is pocketed in same pocket as the 15-ball, you lose
- Adds dramatic finish
Example:
- Only 15-ball and 4-ball remain
- Player shoots 15-ball into corner pocket
- If player’s last ball (4-ball) went into same corner pocket earlier, they lose
- Otherwise they win
Equal Distribution Break
Rule Change:
- After break, balls assigned based on what’s pocketed
- Remaining balls distributed as evenly as possible
- Creates unpredictable group sizes
Method:
- If 3 balls pocketed on break: players get 4-4-4 distribution from remaining 12
- If 2 pocketed: distribute 13 remaining balls (5-4-4 or 5-5-3)
Continuing Play After Elimination
Rule Change:
- Eliminated players continue shooting
- Try to pocket remaining balls to determine 2nd/3rd place
- Prevents early exits
When to Use:
Social/casual games where everyone wants to keep playing
Strategy Tips
Early Game Strategy
Target the Leader:
- Identify player with most balls remaining
- Coordinate with other player to eliminate their balls first
- Creates temporary alliance
Avoid Eliminating Players Too Early:
- Once a player is out, remaining two players have full focus on each other
- Sometimes better to leave one ball for each opponent
Mid-Game Strategy
Position Play:
- Don’t just pocket balls – leave yourself advantageous positions
- Leave opponent with difficult shots
- Think two shots ahead
Strategic Pocketing:
- Sometimes intentionally miss to avoid giving next player easy shot
- Consider what balls will be available to next shooter
End Game Strategy
When Down to Few Balls:
- Safety play becomes critical
- Sometimes better to play safe than risk giving opponent ball in hand
- Position cue ball where next player has no shot
One Ball Remaining:
- Protect your last ball fiercely
- Play only high-percentage defensive shots
- Force opponents to foul
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1: Eliminating One Player Too Early
Problem:
Pocketing all of one opponent’s balls while third player has many remaining
Why It’s Bad:
Two remaining players will both target you
Solution:
Maintain balance – spread pocketing across both opponents
Mistake #2: Not Playing Defense
Problem:
Always shooting to pocket balls
Why It’s Bad:
Sometimes leaving opponent with no shot is better than risky pocket attempt
Solution:
Learn safety play – leave cue ball where no opponent ball is hittable
Mistake #3: Forgetting Ball in Hand Advantage
Problem:
Not maximizing foul penalties received
Why It’s Bad:
Ball in hand is huge advantage – can set up perfect shot
Solution:
Take time to analyze whole table before placing cue ball
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens if two players are eliminated on the same shot?
A: The remaining player wins immediately. This can happen if you pocket the last ball for two opponents on a single shot.
Q: Can I intentionally pocket my own balls?
A: Rules don’t prohibit it, but it’s generally bad strategy. Some house rules make this illegal (ends turn). In standard rules, your ball stays pocketed and hurts your position.
Q: What if all balls are pocketed except the cue ball?
A: This shouldn’t happen in normal play, but if it does somehow, re-rack and replay.
Q: Do you have to call combinations or banks?
A: In standard cut throat, no call shot requirement exists. Any legally pocketed ball counts. Call shot variations do exist (see Variations section).
Related Articles & Resources
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About the Author
Derek Jones
Derek is an APA Skill Level 6-7 league player with 12 years of competitive experience. He’s played hundreds of cut throat games in league and casual settings, developing deep understanding of the strategic elements.
Expertise: League play, practical game rules, multi-player game strategy
Experience: 12+ years competitive pool, regular cut throat games in league rotation