8-Ball (Eight-Ball) is played with a full rack of fifteen balls and the cue ball. The intention is to claim a suit (stripes or solids), pocket all of them, then pocket the 8-ball. You must do all of the above while denying the opponent to do the same with their suit and without sinking the 8-ball early by accident.

The most popular form of billiards in the world, 8-Ball, is a battle to sink every object ball in a suit. Once finished, players attempt to sink the 8-ball. The first player to do so is the winner.

Pocket each object ball within one's designated suit, and then pocket the 8-ball.

Play starts with the racking of all fifteen object balls, with the 8-ball placed in the middle. A player then breaks the formation with the cue ball. If an object ball is pocketed, the player is assigned that suit (striped or solid). Once a foul is committed or an object ball isn't pocketed, the other player takes a turn. Players attempt to pocket every object ball within their suit, while at the same time, preventing the opposing suit to be pocketed. Once every object ball within a suit has been pocketed, the player assigned to that suit attempts to pocket the 8-ball. The player to pocket each of their object balls and the 8-ball is the winner. A player automatically loses if they pocket the 8-ball before pocketing their object balls.

Billiards was first played in 15th century England, and has been a popular game throughout Europe and the United States ever since. Many styles and variations have been created using the same basic rules and equipment. 8-Ball was first played in 1908, with seven yellow and seven red balls. As the game evolved, stripes and solids replaced the yellow and reds. Today, 8-Ball is the most popular billiards game in the world, and is played locally by amateurs and in international competitions.

Cue
Cue Ball
Object Balls
Rack
Six Pocket Billiard Table

Players must use caution when handling a cue, as eye injuries can sometimes occur.

Training consists of minor aerobic exercises to maintain modest flexibility in the back, shoulders and arms. A basic knowledge of angles and trajectory is also a plus.

Cue - a long, straight, tapering wooden rod for striking the ball

Cue Ball - white ball that is struck with the cue

Foul - any number of illegal plays, including pocketing the cue ball or knocking a ball of the table

Object Balls - any ball other than the cue ball

Rack - a triangular, diamond or straight shaped structure for positioning object balls

Six Pocket Billiard Table - a smooth rectangular cloth- covered table used for billiards and some forms of pool, with six pockets at the corners and sides into which the balls can be struck

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eight-ball