8-ball is the most popular pool game in the world. On the table are the white cue ball, seven solids, seven stripes and the black 8. Each player takes one group, pockets all of it and then sinks the 8 to win. Accurate aim matters, but good players always think about the next shot and where the cue ball will stop.
In Hamdor you can play pool online against real players, invite a friend to a private room with a code, practise offline against a bot, or play two on one phone. The shop has cues and cloths you buy with coins; they change how the table looks, never your chances of winning.
How to play Billiards
- 8-ball, one on one. Who breaks is drawn at random; the breaker places the cue ball anywhere behind the line.
- A legal break pockets a ball or drives at least four balls to a cushion; otherwise it is an illegal break, the balls are racked again and the other player breaks. An 8 pocketed on the break is spotted again.
- After the break the table is open; the first ball you pot on a legal shot sets your group: solids (1 to 7) or stripes (9 to 15). You keep shooting while you pot your own balls.
- Fouls: hitting no ball, hitting the opponent's ball first (or the 8 before your group is done), potting the cue ball, and no ball pocketed or reaching a cushion after contact. After a foul the opponent gets the cue ball in hand anywhere on the table.
- When your group is cleared, pot the 8 to win. Potting the 8 early, or scratching with it, loses.
- Aiming: touch anywhere on the table to turn the cue there, or drag the cue itself; the fine aim buttons turn it a hair. Pull the power bar on the left down and let go to shoot.
- Spin: tap the cue ball on the right and choose where the cue hits it. High (follow) sends the cue ball on after contact, low (draw) pulls it back, and left or right bends its rebound off a cushion.
These are the exact rules Hamdor plays by; the app shows them too, under each game's How to play tab.
8-ball in Hamdor
- Quick Play, one on one: online 8-ball is a two-player game and the breaker is drawn at random. In a private game you can have player 1 break.
- Legal break: the break must pocket a ball or drive at least four balls to a cushion; otherwise the balls are racked again and the other player breaks.
- Open table: after the break, the first ball you pot on a legal shot sets your group: solids (1 to 7) or stripes (9 to 15).
- Ball in hand after a foul: after any foul, your opponent places the cue ball anywhere on the table.
- Aim and spin: touch the table or drag the cue to aim, fine-tune with the fine aim buttons, pull the power bar to shoot, and tap the cue ball on the right to choose where the cue strikes it.
Billiards modes in Hamdor
- Quick Play — 8-Ball 1v1, random breaks
- 8-Ball 1v1, player 1 breaks
Tips to win at 8-ball pool
- Play for the next shot. Don't just pot this ball; picture where the cue ball will stop and how easy your next shot is from there.
- Less power, more control. Most shots don't need a full power bar. Softer shots make it easier to predict where the cue ball ends up.
- Use follow and draw. Hit high when the cue ball should roll on after contact, low when it should come back. Save left and right for adjusting the rebound off a cushion.
- Always check the 8. Potting the 8 before your group is cleared, or scratching with it, loses the game; shoot carefully when the 8 is near a pocket.
- Pick your group wisely. On an open table, choose the group whose balls are easier to reach, not just the one ball hanging over a pocket.
- Make the most of ball in hand. After your opponent fouls, place the cue ball where you have a sure shot and good position after it.
- Avoid fouls. Hit your own group first, and make sure a ball drops or reaches a cushion after contact. Every foul hands your opponent ball in hand.
Billiards in Hamdor
- Online, ranked: play real opponents and earn a rating. If nobody turns up within a few seconds, a bot takes the seat and is labelled as a bot.
- Private rooms: create a room, send the code to your friends and chat with stickers and reactions while you play.
- Bots: play offline against bots, to practise or when nobody is online.
- Two on one phone: pass the phone and play face to face.
- Stats and streaks: your win rate, best winning streak and this game's leaderboard.
- Your own look: change how the table and pieces look in the Hamdor shop. It is cosmetic only and never affects who wins.
Billiards FAQ
What are the rules of 8-ball pool?
Each player takes solids (1 to 7) or stripes (9 to 15). The first to pocket their whole group and then the 8 wins.
What counts as a foul?
Hitting no ball, hitting the opponent's ball first (or the 8 before your group is done), potting the cue ball, and no ball pocketed or reaching a cushion after contact. After a foul your opponent gets ball in hand anywhere.
What happens if the 8 goes in early?
Potting the 8 before your group is cleared, or scratching with it, loses. An 8 pocketed on the break is put back on the table and play goes on.
Can I play pool offline?
Yes. Play a bot or a friend on the same phone without a connection. Like every Hamdor game, it is free and has no betting.