WPA Rule 3. Eight Ball The Rules of Play From World Pool-
Billiard Association (Effective 1/1/08) Eight ball is played
with fifteen numbered object balls and the cue ball. The
shooter’s group of seven balls (one through seven or nine
through fifteen) must all be off the table before he attempts to
pocket the eight ball to win. Shots are called. 3.1 Determining
First Break The player winning the lag has the option to
determine who has to execute the first break shot. (See 1.2
Lagging to Determine Order of Play.) The standard format is
alternate break (See Regulation 15, Subsequent Break Shots.) 3.2
Eight Ball Rack The fifteen object balls are racked as tightly
as possible in a triangle, with the apex ball on the foot spot
and the eight ball as the first ball that is directly below the
apex ball. One from each group of seven will be on the two lower
corners of the triangle. The other balls are placed in the
triangle without purposeful or intentional pattern. 3.3 Break
Shot The following rules apply to the break