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Rules - How To Play
Introduction
Texas One Shot is all about the 9 ball. After hitting the lowest numbered ball on the table, if the 9 goes in you win, if the 9 moves you shoot again and if the 9 does not move your turn is over. The game is based on the fact you can always win in 9Ball in one shot if the 9 ball moves because it could go in a pocket. If the 9 does not move you never stood a chance of winning so your turn is over. Every shot is about the 9 ball, did it move? Making another ball is not a foul but does not result in another shot unless the 9 ball moved.
On the break the 9 ball is deemed to have moved by definition. Energy went thru the 9 so it is deemed to have moved so even if it is still on the spot, it moved. This definition is used throughout the game. If the 2 ball rolls up and stops touching the 9 ball the 9 is deemed to have moved as energy went thru it. On the other hand if a ball is touching the 9 and all the energy is directed away from the 9 then the nine has not moved. So if the cue ball is touching the 9 and the shot is away from the 9 it is not deemed to have moved.
The game follows all the rules of BCA 9Ball except the reward system is different. A player is awarded another shot for moving the 9 instead of pocketing a ball. A legal shot is made by first hitting the lowest ball on the table with the cue ball and any ball hits a rail or moves the 9 ball. As long as the 9 ball moves nothing has to hit a rail. This is commonly called putting and allows a player to set themselves up for a winning shot. Scratches result in Ball in Hand.
The Phat Rack
A new game deserves its own unique rack. The Phat Rack is a diamond that has been Twisted 90 degrees from the standard 9-Ball rack. The 1-ball is placed at the new head of the rack and it is the 9-ball that is placed on the spot. The game is all about the 9-ball. Care should be used to ensure the rack lines up with the center table marks on the head and foot of the table and with the second table marks from the foot of the table on the side rails. Pro Tip: A tight rack is easier to accomplish from the either side of the table than from the foot of the table.
Square Up to Break
Players are required to Square Up to break. Instead of breaking from a side rail as is common in 9-Ball the player is required to break from the center square as defined by the first mark in from the side rails on the head of the table and the second mark down each side rail from the head of the table. A ‘soft’ break is not allowed. Players are required to break with force with-in the player’s capability.
By Definition
On the break, the 9-ball is deemed to have moved ‘by definition’. Even if the 9-ball remains on the spot, energy from the object balls touching it passed thru the ball and it is deemed to have moved. This principle is used throughout the game. On the contrary, if a ball is touching the 9-ball and all the energy is directed away from the 9-ball it is deemed to have not moved. Therefore, if the cue ball is touching the 9-ball but it is directed away from the 9-ball and makes legal contact with the lowest ball on the table no foul has occurred. If an object ball touching the 9-ball moves and all the energy is directed away from the 9-ball the 9-ball is deemed to have not moved.
Putting
The rule rule in 9-Ball to prevent an easy snooker of an opponent is that after the lowest numbered ball on the table is first struck by the cue ball a ball must be driven to a rail or a pocket for the shot to be legal. The same rule applies in Texas One Shot with the exception of if the 9-ball is deemed to have moved. If the 9-ball moved it is still the players shot as the player could only snooker themselves and there is no foul. Generally the play would be used position for a winning shot. This is called putting and is allowed. A player may use multiple putts to position for a win.
The Last Ball
Care should be taken when there is but one object ball left on the table. If the last object ball is pocketed and the 9-ball is deemed to have moved a player is golden as they may make multiple shots as long as the 9-ball moves to pocket the 9-ball. If a player pockets the last object ball and fails to move the 9-ball the player's turn is over resulting in the opponent virtually being guarranteed a win. If at anytime during a game the 9-ball is pocketed on a scratch or illegal shot the 9-ball is spotted on the foot spot and the opponent is given ball in hand.
