Nine ball is played with nine balls (numbered 1 through 9) and the cue ball rather than the entire set of fifteen. But that doesn't mean the game is easy. You'll see why the pros prefer this game — it's challenging, with endless possibilities for complicated maneuvers.

By now you've gathered that the object of the game is to pocket the 9 ball. If you pocket the 9 ball on the break or after your first play, you win. However, you cannot strike the 9 ball without first contacting the other balls in numerical order, starting with the lowest-numbered ball. You don't have to pocket the balls in numerical order, you just have to make sure the cue ball strikes the lowest ball on the table before pocketing it or another ball. So you can use bank shots and combination shots and the other fancy cue work you've learned so far in order to pocket a ball.

Also, unlike eight ball and straight pool, nine ball is not a call-shot game. If you make your shot, you continue to take your turn at the table. You keep going until you miss, at which time your opponent will take his or her turn.

The incoming player has to pick up where the last player left off. So wherever the cue ball is on the table is the position from where the next player will have to start. However, if you foul and you lose your turn, your opponent can start his or her play with cue-ball-in-hand from anywhere on the table. Balls are not spotted after a foul, except the 9 ball. And like in all the other pool games you've learned so far, all the general rules apply to nine ball. Additionally, the official rules of nine ball state that three consecutive fouls will result in loss of game.

Even though pocketing the 9 ball is an instant win, the cue ball still has to make contact with the lowest-numbered ball on the table before either the cue ball or an object ball pockets the 9 ball for the win — otherwise the shot will be considered a foul. The only time you can win by shooting the 9 ball directly into the pocket is when it's the only ball left on the table.

Critical to the game of nine ball is your ability to play position and safeties. This means that cuts shots, caroms, combinations, and bank shots will all be critical to your success at nine ball. This is not to say that you need to use your shot-making skills to show off (even though that can be fun sometimes, too). You want to find your easiest shots first before you go looking for the tricky ones. You'll read more about the importance of position and safety play later on.