Shop

Texas One Shot is based on the fact one can always win 9-Ball in a single shot. In order to do so one must move the 9-Ball or the player never stood a chance to win. With that in mind the reward system is different from 9-Ball. In Texas One Shot, instead of being rewarded another shot for making a ball the player is rewarded another shot if they make the 9-Ball move. The player wins if they make the 9-Ball. There is no reward for making any other ball. All balls pocketed stay in the pocket. If the 9-Ball is pocketed on an illegal shot the 9-Ball is spotted and the next player is allowed ball-in-hand. Just like 9-Ball the cue ball must contact the lowest ball on the table first every shot. The player must move the 9-Ball in order to shoot again. If the 9-Ball does not move the player never stood a chance of winning so it is the next players turn.

​

Randy Goettlicher, famed Rules Master for the BCA, has agreed to compile a complete set of rules for the game. His rules will closely follow Pocket Billiard stardards for 9-Ball. The goal is to introduce the game to the world with a single set of rules so the game will be eligible for Olympic consideration. For the short period of time the rules are being drawn up please feel free to reach out with suggestions for play and rules. Typical 9-Ball rules require a ball to touch a rail after the lowest ball on the table is contacted or a ball be pocketed. This is thought to discourage 'dirty pool'.It is the same in Texas One Shot with the exception of if the 9-Ball moves. In that case the player continues to shoot and the play is often called a putt and is commonly used to set up a winning shot.

​

On the break the 9-Ball is deemed to move. Energy passed through the ball and reqardless of whether any visible motion is detected the 9-ball has moved 'by definition'. This principle is used throughout the game so if a ball is hit that is touching the 9-Ball and energy passes thru the 9-Ball it has moved by definition.If a ball is touching the 9-Ball and is hit in such a way that all energy is directed away from the 9-ball then the 9-Ball is not deemed to have moved and the players turn is over. If the player who breaks does not scratch or win the player continues to shoot until the player fails to move the 9-Ball or the player wins.

​

The rack for Texas One Shot(pictured above) is a diamond twisted 90 degrees from the standard 9-Ball rack and the 9-Ball is put on the spot and the 1-Ball is placed at the new top of the diamond. Players must square-up to break. That means breaking from a side rail is not allowed, the cue ball is placed anywhere with-in the center square formed by the first diamond in from each side on the headboard and the second diamond down each side from the headboard thus forming the square from where a legal break can be made.

​

If a player makes a ball and moves the 9-Ball the player gets to shoot again. If a player makes a ball and the 9-Ball does not move their turn is over. If a player makes the last object ball on the table without moving the 9-Ball their turn is over and the next player can hit the 9-Ball as many times as necessary to win as long as the player does not foul or scratch or fails to touch the 9-Ball. If a player pockets the 9-Ball while commiting a foul the 9-Ball is spotted and the next player is awarded ball in hand.

​

The game is  always focused on the 9-Ball. That is why it is spotted on the break. A player can play defense but it is not an easy task. Players quickly learn different strategies are required for the game. Also that it can be much more challenging because instead of trying to pocket a ball in one of 6 pockets, most of the shots are caroms, kicks and combinations aimed at the 9 Ball. It is amazing how quickly a player determines they need to up their game or that lessons might be a good idea after all. The game is good spectator sport too, watching as the balls all too often slip by the 9-Ball.