The first player to legally pocket an object ball after the break is assigned to that particular group (solids or stripes) of balls. Object balls pocketed during the break are not used to assign groups.
The table is always open immediately after the break. If this action does not occur, the opponent can choose to either play the table 'as-is' or ask for a re-break. The breaker must either pocket a number ball, or drive four different number balls to one or more rails. The head string, also known as 'the kitchen' is the area behind the second set of diamonds (or markings) at the head of the table. The cue ball can be placed anywhere behind the head string. The apex ball should be aligned at the foot spot on the table, with the bottom of the break formation aligned parallel with the foot of the table. The rest of the rack should be random, except for the bottom corners of the triangle - one corner ball should be a solid, and the other a stripe. The RackĨ-Ball is located in the center - two rows from the top and two rows from the bottom.
The 8-Ball does not belong to either group. The object balls are divided into two separate groups - solids (balls numbered 1 through 7) and stripes (balls numbered 9 through 15). 8-Ball is played with a cue ball and 15 object balls.
