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Rules - How To Play
Introduction
Texas One Shot is based on 9-Ball but the reward system is different. In 9-Ball a player is rewarded an additional shot every time the player pockets one or more balls. In Texas One Shot a player is rewarded an additional shot if the player makes the 9-Ball move after first striking the lowest ball on the table with the cue ball. Pocketing the 9-ball on a legal shot wins the game. In Texas One Shot the only ball that is rewarded for going into a pocket is the 9-ball and victory is the reward. It is fine to pocket other balls and pocketing balls may or may not be to a players advantage but a player is only rewarded another shot for moving the 9-ball. Move the 9-ball=shoot again, 9-ball does not move=turn is over. Playing defense can be a smart way to go.
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
A common 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 themself 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 mutiple 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-bal. 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.
