10-Ball Rules: The Call-Shot Rotation Game
10-Ball is 9-Ball's tougher cousin. It adds a ball and, more importantly, makes you call every shot. Luck matters less, which is why many top events use it.
The goal
Like 9-Ball, you must always hit the lowest-numbered ball first. You win by legally pocketing the 10-ball on a called shot.
The rack and break
The balls are racked in a triangle with the 1 at the front and the 10 in the middle. Under WPA rules, a 10-ball pocketed on the break does not win: it is spotted and the breaker keeps shooting. Local events sometimes play it differently, so check first.
Call shot
You call the ball and the pocket (obvious shots usually do not need to be announced). If you pocket the wrong ball or miss your called pocket, it is not a foul, but your opponent chooses whether to shoot or hand the table back to you.
Push out and fouls
The push out after the break and ball in hand after fouls work the same as 9-Ball.
Find 10-Ball tournaments near you.
Test yourself: take the 12-question pool rules quiz and share your score with your league. Settling an argument? See the pool rules Q&A.