View source for Eight-ball pool (British variation)

{{Short description|Pool game}}
{{About|the game with red and yellow balls mostly played in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries|the related game with numbered balls|Eight-ball}}
{{Distinguish|English billiards}}

[[Image:Blackball kick shot.jpg|right|thumb|250px|A player shooting a {{Cuegloss|Kick shot|kick shot}}]]
The English-originating version of '''eight-ball pool''', also known as '''English pool''', '''English eight-ball'', ''blackball''', or simply '''reds and yellows''', is a [[Pool (cue sports)|pool]] game played with sixteen [[Billiard ball|balls]] (a {{Cuegloss|Cue ball|cue ball}} and fifteen usually unnumbered {{Cuegloss|Object ball|object balls}}) on a small [[Billiard table|pool table]] with six {{Cuegloss|Pocket|pockets}}. It originated in the [[United Kingdom]] and is played in the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] countries such as [[Australia]] and [[South Africa]]. In the UK and Ireland it is usually called simply "pool".

The English version of [[eight-ball]] has two main sets of playing rules used in professional play; those of the [[World Pool-Billiard Association]] (WPA), known as "blackball rules", and the code of the [[World Eightball Pool Federation]] (WEPF), known as "international rules".

==History==
American-style eight-ball arose around 1900, derived from basic [[pyramid pool]].<ref name="BCA 2005">{{Cite web |publisher=[[Billiard Congress of America]] |location=[[Broomfield, Colorado]], USA |date=1995–2005 |url=http://www.bca-pool.com/aboutus/history/start.shtml |title=A Brief History of the Noble Game of Billiards |first=Mike |last=Shamos |access-date=13 December 2006
 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127151057/http://www.bca-pool.com/aboutus/history/start.shtml |archive-date=27 January 2007}}</ref>
In 1925, the [[Brunswick Corporation|Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company]] began offering ball sets specifically for the game using unnumbered yellow and red balls (in contrast to the numbered {{Cuegloss|solids}} and {{Cuegloss|stripes}} found in most pool ball sets), a black {{Cuegloss|eight ball}}, and the white cue ball. These were introduced to make it easier for spectators to identify the two sets in early professional games held in casinos, and became known as "casino-style" sets.<ref name="TIEOB">{{Cite book |last = Shamos |first = Michael Ian |author-link = Mike Shamos |year = 1993 |title = The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Billiards |publisher = Lyons & Burford |location = New York |page = 85 |isbn = 1-55821-219-1 |url-access = registration |url = https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000sham/page/85}}</ref> In the years following World War II, playing eight-ball on small coin-operated pool tables became a common [[pub game]] in American bars, a pastime which spread to Britain by the early 1960s. In the years following, the British game diverged from the American in equipment (including the use of casino-style balls, which had died out in the US) and rules.<ref>[http://www.blackball.uk/ UK Blackball Pool]</ref>

== Equipment ==
[[File:SetUpofTriangleForStandardPool.jpg|alt=|thumb|The [[Rack (billiards)|rack]] set-up. Note the pattern of reds and yellows (colours can be reversed).]]
[[File:Interior of the Black Bull, Wetherby (27th August 2022) 002.jpg|thumb|right|A pool table in a pub in [[Wetherby]], West Yorkshire]]
The game uses unnumbered, solid-coloured object balls, typically red and yellow, with one black ball. The black ball typically bears a number "8", though numberless variants are not unknown. They are usually 2 inches (51 mm) or {{Frac|2|1|16}} inches (52 mm) in diameter – the latter being the same size as the balls used in [[snooker]] and English billiards – often with a slightly smaller cue ball, e.g. {{Frac|1|7|8}}&nbsp;inches (47.6&nbsp;mm) for a 2-inch set, a convention originally created for the ball return mechanisms in coin-operated tables. 

British pool tables come in 6 × 3&nbsp;foot (1.8 × 0.9&nbsp;m) or 7 × 3.5&nbsp;ft (2.12 × 1.06&nbsp;m) varieties,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.libertygames.co.uk/information/british_vs_american_pool/ |title=British vs. American Pool |access-date=30 April 2010 |publisher=Liberty Games}}</ref> with 7&nbsp;feet being the regulation size for league play. The table has pockets just larger than the balls and rounded, as in the game of [[snooker]], whereas the international-style (or "American-style") table has pockets significantly wider, with pointed {{cuegloss|Knuckle|knuckles}}.

Tournament rules may require the presence of more than one type of {{Cuegloss|Rest|rest}} (mechanical bridge), as in snooker.

==Rules==
[[File:Blackball pool table diagram.PNG|thumb|[[Billiard table#Pool tables|Pool table]] with balls placed in their starting positions]]

There are currently two competing standards bodies that have issued standardised rules.

The English Pool Association (EPA) uses the rules of the [[World Eightball Pool Federation]] (WEPF). Since 2022 the EPA and WEPF have adopted a ruleset known as "International Rules", which are used in all events organised by the Ultimate Pool Group. Prior to 2022 these organisations used a different set of rules known as "World Rules".<ref name="WEPFRules2">[http://www.wepf.org/playrules.php?option=1 "World Eightball Pool Federation Eightball Rules"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223030906/http://www.wepf.org/playrules.php?option=1|date=February 23, 2007}}, 2004, Perth, WA, Australia</ref>

The English Blackball Pool Federation (EBPF) uses the rules of the [[World Pool-Billiard Association]] (WPA) under the game name "Blackball" to better distinguish it from the American-style game (for which the WPA also promulgates the world-standardised rules).<ref name="BlackballRules">[http://www.wpa-pool.com/download/WPABlackballfinalrules.pdf "World Pool Association &#91;sic&#93; Blackball Rules"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202162426/http://www.wpa-pool.com/download/WPABlackballfinalrules.pdf |date=February 2, 2007 }}, World Pool-Billiard Association, 2005.</ref> Since 2013 these rules are used in all events organised by the [[International Professional Pool Association]]<!--This article should exist eventually. Needs a redir from [[International Pool Association]], their original name.--> (IPPA).

=== Basic rules ===
Despite various differences between the competing rulesets, the basic objectives and rules of the game are mostly the same.

The balls are racked with {{Cuegloss|Black ball|the black}} (the 8 ball) on the {{Cuegloss|Foot spot|foot spot}} (or "black spot"), in contrast with US-style eight-ball, nine-ball and most other pool games, in which the apex ball is placed on the foot spot.

One player begins the game with a "break shot", which involves shooting the cue ball from the baulk area towards the object balls and "splitting the pack".

The aim of the game is to pot all the balls of a certain colour (either reds or yellows), followed by the black eight-ball. The winner is usually the player who legally pots the black first, although it is possible to win the game by the opponent committing a sufficiently serious foul, such as potting the black eight-ball and the cue ball in the same shot.

A foul can be committed in numerous ways, such as potting the cue ball, potting the black eight-ball before the last colour in the set, hitting the wrong colour ball first or touching any ball with anything apart from the tip of the cue. After a foul, there is a penalty awarded to the other player. This penalty varies by ruleset, but could be winning the frame, gaining an extra shot or visit, being able to hit any ball on the table, or being able to move the cue ball to another location.

=== BAPTO/UKPF rules (1976–2004) ===
In 1976, the British Association of Pool Table Operators (BAPTO) published a standardised set of pool rules for use in their national events. With some minor changes, these rules were adopted by the newly formed UK Pool Federation (UKPF) in 1992 and known as "Federation rules". These rules were used until the UKPF adopted Blackball rules in 2004.

In these rules, for a fair break the player must pocket a ball or cause at least 2 balls to hit a cushion. Later versions of this rule were amended to state that at least 2 balls must pass the halfway line of the table if a ball is not potted. The breaker must nominate which colour they choose following the break shot. The standard penalty for a foul is 2 visits to the table for the incoming player, and a "free shot", whereby any ball can be played or potted on the first shot of the visit, with the exception of the black if it is not "on". The player awarded the penalty also has the option of moving the cue ball anywhere in the "D". Deliberate fouls result in loss of frame, and jump shots and push shots are illegal. There is no requirement to hit a cushion with each shot, meaning "rolling up" to a ball is a legal shot. Provided a player pots at least one of their own colours, it is legal to pot any number of their opponent's colour in the same shot.

=== EPA rules (1978–1998) ===
In 1978, the English Pool Association (EPA) published a standardised set of pool rules which they used in their county pool structure through the 1980s and 1990s. These rules were used until 1998, when the EPA adopted World rules in line with the WEPF.

In these rules, for a fair break the player must pocket a ball or cause at least 2 balls to hit a cushion. The first legally potted ball decides the colours. The standard penalty for a foul is 2 visits to the table for the incoming player, and a "free shot" on the first shot. The incoming player also has the option of moving the cue ball anywhere in the baulk area. Deliberate fouls result in loss of frame, and jump shots and push shots are illegal. There is no requirement to hit a cushion with each shot. Potting an opponent's ball is a foul except in the case of a "free shot".

Despite no longer being played at the professional level, these rules are still in use in some amateur leagues, and are referred to as "Old EPA rules" to distinguish them from later versions.

=== EPA/WEPF world rules (1998–2022) ===
In 1998, the EPA adopted "World Rules", as published by the World Eightball Pool Federation (WEPF). These rules were used at all levels in EPA and WEPF tournaments until 2022, when both organisations adopted "International Rules".

In these rules, for a fair break the player must pocket a ball or cause at least 4 object balls to hit a cushion. If the breaker pots a ball on the break from one group, they must nominate a colour. If they nominate a colour which was potted on the break, then that group become theirs, while if the group chosen did not have any balls potted on the break, the table remains open until a ball is legally potted. The standard penalty for a foul is 2 visits to the table for the incoming player. There is no "free shot" rule. The cue ball cannot be moved, unless the incoming player has been left in a foul snooker, in which case they may nominate a free ball or move the cue ball to baulk. Unlike most other rulesets, deliberate fouls do not result in loss of frame, and are treated as a standard foul. Jump shots are illegal. Push shots are allowed provided no double contact or sustained push can be seen clearly by the referee. There is a requirement to either pot a ball or hit a cushion after first contact on each shot, meaning it is illegal to "roll up" to a ball. Potting an opponent's ball is a foul.

Despite no longer being played at the professional level, these rules remain popular as amateur league rules in the UK, Ireland, Australia, some other Commonwealth countries, and a few European nations.

=== WPA blackball rules (2004–present) ===
In 2004, the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) sanctioned a variant of eight-ball pool called "blackball". The UKPF adopted these rules, and renamed themselves the European Blackball Association (EBA). These rules are now used at all levels in WPA tournaments and by the professional International Pool Association.

In these rules, for a fair break the player must pocket a ball or cause at least 2 balls to cross the halfway point of the table. The first legally potted ball decides the colours. The standard penalty for a foul is 1 "free shot" for the incoming player, followed by one visit to the table. The incoming player also has the option of moving the cue ball anywhere in the baulk area following a foul. Deliberate fouls result in loss of frame, and jump shots and push shots are illegal. There is a requirement to either pot a ball or hit a cushion after first contact on each shot. Provided a player pots at least one of their own colours, it is legal to pot any number of their opponent's colour in the same shot.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thepoolcoach.co.uk/blackball-rules/|title = Blackball Rules - THE POOL COACH - 8-Ball Mastery|date = 3 August 2018}}</ref>

=== EPA/WEPF international rules (2022–present) ===
In 2022, the EPA and the WEPF adopted the "International Rules" which are now used at all levels in EPA and WEPF tournaments, and by the Ultimate Pool Group.

In these rules, for a fair break the player must score 3 points, where a point is scored for each ball pocketed and for each ball which passes the halfway point of the table. The first legally potted ball decides the colours. The standard penalty for a foul is 1 visit to the table for the incoming player. There is no "free shot" rule, but the cue ball can be moved anywhere on the table following a foul. Deliberate fouls result in loss of frame, and jump shots and push shots are illegal. There is a requirement to either pot a ball or hit a cushion after first contact on each shot. Provided a player pots at least one of their own colours, it is legal to pot any number of their opponent's colour in the same shot, but this will result in loss of turn.

== World championships ==
The [[World Eightball Pool Federation]] has held a World Championships since 1993, and the [[World Pool-Billiard Association]] since 2006.

=== WEPF World Eightball Championship ===
{{main|WEPF World Eightball Championship}}
The following is a list of '''WEPF world eightball champions''', sanctioned by the WEPF ([[World Eightball Pool Federation]]). 
{| class="wikitable"
!Date
!Location
!Winner<ref>{{cite web |title=World Pool Championships Hall of Fame |url=http://www.wepf.org/worlds.php?option=12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730041416/http://www.wepf.org/worlds.php?option=12 |archive-date=July 30, 2012 |access-date=February 1, 2012 |publisher=[[World Eight-ball Pool Federation]]}}</ref>
!Nationality
!Runner-up
!Nationality
|-
| rowspan="2" |2022
| rowspan="2" |[[Killarney]], [[Ireland]]
|[[Ronan McCarthy (pool player)|Ronan McCarthy]]
|{{NIR}}
|Chris Day
|{{ENG}}
|-
|Barbara Taylor (2)
|{{ENG}}
|Sarah Coxon
|{{WAL}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2019
| rowspan="44" |[[Blackpool]], [[England]]
|[[Mick Hill (pool player)|Mick Hill]] (6)
|{{ENG}}
|Dom Cooney
|{{ENG}}
|-
|Amy Beauchamp (3)<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Eightball Pool Federation |url=http://www.wepf.org/ |access-date=2020-12-30 |website=www.wepf.org |language=en}}</ref>
|{{ENG}}
|Sharon James
|{{ENG}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2018<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Eightball Pool Federation |url=http://www.wepf.org/worlds.php?option=5 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718161726/http://www.wepf.org/worlds.php?option=5 |archive-date=July 18, 2014 |access-date=February 21, 2013}}</ref>
|[[Mick Hill (pool player)|Mick Hill]] (5)
|{{ENG}}
|[[Phil Harrison (pool player)|Phil Harrison]]
|{{ENG}}
|-
|Barbara Taylor<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Eightball Pool Federation |url=http://www.wepf.org/ |access-date=2020-12-30 |website=www.wepf.org |language=en}}</ref>
|{{ENG}}
|Sharon James
|{{ENG}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2017<ref>{{cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.wepf.org/press.php?option=12 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129114338/http://www.wepf.org/press.php?option=12 |archive-date=November 29, 2017 |access-date=July 5, 2017}}</ref>
|[[Mick Hill (pool player)|Mick Hill]] (4)
|{{ENG}}
|[[Phil Harrison (pool player)|Phil Harrison]]
|{{ENG}}
|-
|Amy Beauchamp (2)
|{{ENG}}
|Kerry Griffiths
|{{ENG}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2016<ref>{{cite web |title=World Eightball Pool Federation |url=http://www.wepf.org/worlds.php?option=5 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724153207/http://www.wepf.org/worlds.php?option=5 |archive-date=July 24, 2013 |access-date=August 7, 2015}}</ref>
|[[Shaun Chipperfield]]
|{{ENG}}
|[[Karl Sutton]]
|{{ENG}}
|-
|Sabrilla Brunet
|{{FRA}}
|Amy Beauchamp
|{{ENG}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2015
|[[Mick Hill (pool player)|Mick Hill]] (3)
|{{ENG}}
|[[Nigel Clarke (pool player)|Nigel Clarke]]
|{{ENG}}
|-
|Amy Beauchamp
|{{ENG}}
|Emma Wilkinson
|{{ENG}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2014
|[[Tom Cousins (pool player)|Tom Cousins]] (2)
|{{WAL}}
|[[Giuseppe d'Imperio]]
|{{ENG}}
|-
|Kirsty Lee Davis
|{{WAL}}
|Amy Beauchamp
|{{ENG}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2013<ref>{{cite web |title=Men's World Pool Championships 2013 |url=http://www.wepf.org/worlds.php?option=5 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724153207/http://www.wepf.org/worlds.php?option=5 |archive-date=July 24, 2013 |access-date=July 11, 2013 |publisher=[[World Eight-ball Pool Federation]]}}</ref>
|[[Tom Cousins (pool player)|Tom Cousins]]
|{{WAL}}
|[[Craig Waddingham]]
|{{ENG}}
|-
|Emma Cunningham (3)
|{{NIR}}
|Barbara Taylor
|{{ENG}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2012<ref>{{cite web |title=Men's World Pool Championships 2012 |url=http://www.wepf.org/worlds.php?option=5 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724153207/http://www.wepf.org/worlds.php?option=5 |archive-date=July 24, 2013 |access-date=February 21, 2013 |publisher=[[World Eight-ball Pool Federation]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=John wins a front Roe seat on the world Pool stage |url=http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/other-sport/john-wins-a-front-roe-seat-on-the-world-pool-stage-1-4056821 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211063934/http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/other-sport/john-wins-a-front-roe-seat-on-the-world-pool-stage-1-4056821 |archive-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref>
|[[John Roe (pool player)|John Roe]]
|{{ENG}}
|[[Lee Kendall (billiards player)|Lee Kendall]]
|{{ENG}}
|-
|[[Sue Thompson (pool player)|Sue Thompson]] (11)
|{{SCO}}
|Sharon Wright
|{{ENG}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2011<ref>{{cite web |title=Men's World Pool Championships 2011 |url=http://www.wepf.org/liveresults.php?option=3 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210001848/http://www.wepf.org/liveresults.php?option=3 |archive-date=February 10, 2012 |access-date=February 1, 2012 |publisher=[[World Eight-ball Pool Federation]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Stoke's Adam Davis wins World Eight Ball Pool title |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/14047855}}</ref>
|[[Adam Davis (pool player)|Adam Davis]]
|{{ENG}}
|[[Phil Harrison (pool player)|Phil Harrison]]
|{{ENG}}
|-
|Emma Cunningham (2)
|{{NIR}}
|Renata Delahunty
|{{AUS}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2010<ref>{{cite web |title=Hill is king of the World |url=http://www.wepf.org/news167.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831101627/http://www.wepf.org/news167.htm |archive-date=August 31, 2011 |access-date=February 1, 2012 |publisher=[[World Eight-ball Pool Federation]]}}</ref>
|[[Mick Hill (pool player)|Mick Hill]] (2)
|{{ENG}}
|[[Gareth Potts]]
|{{ENG}}
|-
|[[Sue Thompson (pool player)|Sue Thompson]] (10)
|{{SCO}}
|Emma Cunningham
|{{NIR}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2009<ref>{{cite web |title=All hail Harrison - King Phil's on top of the World |url=http://www.wepf.org/news149.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120918220454/http://www.wepf.org/news149.htm |archive-date=September 18, 2012 |access-date=February 1, 2012 |publisher=[[World Eight-ball Pool Federation]]}}</ref>
|Phil Harrison
|{{ENG}}
|[[Mick Hill (pool player)|Mick Hill]]
|{{ENG}}
|-
|[[Sue Thompson (pool player)|Sue Thompson]] (9)
|{{SCO}}
|Emma Cunningham
|{{NIR}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2008<ref>{{cite web |title=Men's World Pool Championships 2008 |url=http://www.wepf.org/archive.php?option=57 |access-date=February 1, 2012 |publisher=[[World Eight-ball Pool Federation]] }}{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|[[Gareth Potts]] (3)
|{{ENG}}
|[[Jason Twist]]
|{{ENG}}
|-
|[[Lynette Horsburgh]]
|{{SCO}}
|Barbara Taylor
|{{ENG}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2007<ref>{{cite web |title=Men's World Pool Championships 2007 |url=http://www.wepf.org/archive.php?option=55 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915212600/http://www.wepf.org/archive.php?option=55 |archive-date=September 15, 2008 |access-date=February 1, 2012 |publisher=[[World Eight-ball Pool Federation]]}}</ref>
|[[Gareth Potts]] (2)
|{{ENG}}
|[[Mick Hill (pool player)|Mick Hill]]
|{{ENG}}
|-
|[[Sue Thompson (pool player)|Sue Thompson]] (8)
|{{SCO}}
|Emma Cunningham
|{{NIR}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2006<ref>{{cite web |title=Men's World Pool Championships 2006 |url=http://www.wepf.org/archive.php?option=44 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080816004952/http://www.wepf.org/archive.php?option=44 |archive-date=August 16, 2008 |access-date=February 1, 2012 |publisher=[[World Eight-ball Pool Federation]]}}</ref>
|[[Mark Selby]]
|{{ENG}}
|[[Darren Appleton]]
|{{ENG}}
|-
|[[Sue Thompson (pool player)|Sue Thompson]] (7)
|{{SCO}}
|Emma Cunningham
|{{NIR}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2005<ref>{{cite web |title=Men's World Pool Championships 2005 |url=http://www.wepf.org/archive.php?option=35 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920140225/http://www.wepf.org/archive.php?option=35 |archive-date=September 20, 2008 |access-date=February 1, 2012 |publisher=[[World Eight-ball Pool Federation]]}}</ref>
|[[Gareth Potts]]
|{{ENG}}
|[[Chris Melling (pool player)|Chris Melling]]
|{{ENG}}
|-
|Emma Cunningham
|{{NIR}}
|[[Sue Thompson (pool player)|Sue Thompson]]
|{{SCO}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2004<ref name="auto2">{{cite web |title=Men's World Pool Championships 2003 |url=http://www.wepf.org/archive.php?option=7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009054856/http://www.wepf.org/archive.php?option=7 |archive-date=October 9, 2007 |access-date=February 1, 2012 |publisher=[[World Eight-ball Pool Federation]]}}</ref>
|[[Mick Hill (pool player)|Mick Hill]]
|{{ENG}}
|[[Darren Appleton]]
|{{ENG}}
|-
|[[Sue Thompson (pool player)|Sue Thompson]] (6)
|{{SCO}}
|Emma Cunningham
|{{NIR}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2003<ref name="auto2" />
|[[Chris Melling (pool player)|Chris Melling]] (2)
|{{ENG}}
|Jason Twist
|{{ENG}}
|-
|[[Sue Thompson (pool player)|Sue Thompson]] (5)
|{{SCO}}
|Lisa Quick
|{{ENG}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2002<ref>{{cite web |title=Men's World Pool Championships 2002 |url=http://www.wepf.org/archive.php?option=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012185120/http://www.wepf.org/archive.php?option=1 |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |access-date=February 1, 2012 |publisher=[[World Eight-ball Pool Federation]]}}</ref>
|[[Jason Twist]] (2)
|{{ENG}}
|[[Yannick Beaufils]]
|{{FRA}}
|-
|[[Sue Thompson (pool player)|Sue Thompson]] (4)
|{{SCO}}
|Lisa Quick
|{{ENG}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2001<ref>{{cite web |title=Men's World Pool Championships 2001 |url=http://www.wepf.org/archive.php?option=21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009055021/http://www.wepf.org/archive.php?option=21 |archive-date=October 9, 2007 |access-date=February 1, 2012 |publisher=[[World Eight-ball Pool Federation]]}}</ref>
|[[Chris Melling (pool player)|Chris Melling]]
|{{ENG}}
|Rob McKenna
|{{WAL}}
|-
|[[Lisa Quick]] (2)
|{{ENG}}
|Linda Leadbetter
|{{ENG}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2000
|[[Jason Twist]]
|{{ENG}}
|Carl Morris
|{{ENG}}
|-
|[[Sue Thompson (pool player)|Sue Thompson]] (3)
|{{SCO}}
|Linda Leadbitter
|{{ENG}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |1999
|[[Quinten Hann]]
|{{AUS}}
|Terry Hunt
|{{ENG}}
|-
|[[Lisa Quick]]
|{{ENG}}
|Linda Leadbitter
|{{ENG}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |1998
|[[Carl Morris (pool player)|Carl Morris]]
|{{ENG}}
|Keith Brewer
|{{ENG}}
|-
|Linda Leadbitter (3)
|{{ENG}}
|[[Sue Thompson (pool player)|Sue Thompson]]
|{{SCO}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |1997
| rowspan="4" |[[Manchester]], [[England]]
|Rob McKenna (2)
|{{WAL}}
|Lee Kendall
|{{ENG}}
|-
|Sue Thompson (2)
|{{SCO}}
|Linda Leadbitter
|{{ENG}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |1996
|Greg Farren
|{{IRL}}
|[[Tony Holgate]]
|{{IRL}}
|-
|Sue Thompson
|{{SCO}}
|Rosalia Diliberto
|{{FRA}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |1995
| rowspan="2" |[[Chorley]], [[England]]
|[[Daz Ward (pool player)|Daz Ward]]
|{{ENG}}
|[[Jason Twist]]
|{{ENG}}
|-
|Linda Leadbitter (2)
|{{ENG}}
|[[Sue Thompson (pool player)|Sue Thompson]]
|{{SCO}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |1994
| rowspan="4" |[[Manchester]], [[England]]
|[[Rob McKenna (pool player)|Rob McKenna]]
|{{WAL}}
|[[Greg Farren]]
|{{IRL}}
|-
|Linda Leadbitter
|{{ENG}}
|[[Sue Thompson (pool player)|Sue Thompson]]
|{{SCO}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |1993
|[[Kevin Wright (pool player)|Kevin Wright]]
|{{ENG}}
|Nigel Davis
|{{WAL}}
|-
|Linda Moffat
|{{ENG}}
|Natalie Froling
|{{AUS}}
|-
|}

=== WPA World Blackball Championship ===
The following is a list of '''WPA world blackball champions''', sanctioned by the WPA ([[World Pool-Billiard Association]]).
{| class="wikitable"
!Date
!Location
!Winner
!Nationality
!Runner-up
!Nationality
|-
| rowspan="2" |2022
| rowspan="2" |[[Tangier]], [[Morocco]]
|[[Senzo Gumede]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Blackball World Championships Men Singles |url=https://cuescore.com/tournament/Blackball+World+Championships+Men+Singles/19354282}}</ref>
|{{RSA}}
|[[Wade Morley]]
|{{ENG}}
|-
|[[Beatrice Monyake]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Blackball World Championships Women Singles |url=https://cuescore.com/tournament/Blackball+World+Championships+Women+Singles/19354270}}</ref>
|{{RSA}}
|[[Yoursa Baomar]]
|{{MOR}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2018<ref>{{Cite web |title=League Results |url=https://bbi.leagueapplive.com/results.php?sel_group=22}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" |[[Bridlington]], [[England]]
|[[Scott Gillespie]]
|{{SCO}}
|[[Dean Shields]]
|{{ENG}}
|-
|Ashley Marie Bird
|{{ENG}}
|Emma Reeves
|{{ENG}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2016
| rowspan="2" |[[Killarney]], [[Ireland]]
|[[Liam Dunster]]
|{{SCO}}
|[[Jon McAllister]]
|{{ENG}}
|-
|[[Sabrilla Brunet]] (3)
|{{FRA}}
|Sandra Bryan
|{{IRL}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2014
| rowspan="2" |[[Perth, Scotland|Perth]], [[Scotland]]
|[[Claudio Cassar]]
|{{MLT}}
|[[Paul Vincent Bennett]]
|{{RSA}}
|-
|[[Sabrilla Brunet]] (2)
|{{FRA}}
|Aspra Panchoo
|{{RSA}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2012<ref>{{cite web |title=World Blackball Championships 2012 - Men's Individual Championships |url=http://ranking.cuesportfever.com/report_tournament_lineup.php?tournamentkey=217&level=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065700/http://ranking.cuesportfever.com/report_tournament_lineup.php?tournamentkey=217&level=1 |archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" |[[Blackpool]], [[England]]
|[[Gavin Phillips]]
|{{SCO}}
|[[Jimmy Carney (pool player)|Jimmy Carney]]
|{{ENG}}
|-
|[[Sabrilla Brunet]]
|{{FRA}}
|Claire Dempster
|{{SCO}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2010<ref>{{cite web |title=World Blackball Championships 2010 - Men's individual final |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Iq_Cl8sqO8&ab_channel=MegaZombywoof |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" |[[Limoges]], [[France]]
|[[Jayson Shaw]]
|{{SCO}}
|[[Sébastien Ramier]]
|{{FRA}}
|-
|Claire Dempster
|{{SCO}}
|Emillie Gilberto
|{{FRA}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2008<ref>{{cite web |title=The United 2008 World Championship Open Singles |url=http://ranking.cuesportfever.com/viewscorecard.php?tournamentkey=68 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216144901/http://ranking.cuesportfever.com/viewscorecard.php?tournamentkey=68 |archive-date=February 16, 2012 |access-date=February 1, 2012 |publisher=Cuesport Fever.com}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" |[[Mbabane]], [[Eswatini]]
|[[Wetsi Morake]]
|{{RSA}}
|[[Yulan Govender]]
|{{RSA}}
|-
|Apsra Panchoo
|{{RSA}}
|Amanda Watson
|{{ENG}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2006
| rowspan="2" |[[Cork (city)|Cork]], [[Ireland]]
|[[Andy Lucas]]
|{{ENG}}
|[[Simon Ward (pool player)|Simon Ward]]
|{{WAL}}
|-
|Amanda Watson
|{{ENG}}
|Shona Lucas
|{{SCO}}
|}

=== IPA World Blackball Championship ===
The following is a list of '''IPA world blackball champions''', sanctioned by the IPA ([[International Professional Pool Association]])<ref>{{cite web |title=IPA Pool Tour &#124; International Professional Pool Association |url=http://ipapool.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604220516/http://ipapool.com/ |archive-date=June 4, 2016 |access-date=May 28, 2016}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!Date
!Location
!Winner
!Nationality
!Runner-up
!Nationality
|-
| rowspan="2" |2022
| rowspan="15" |[[Bradford]], [[England]]
|Liam Dunster
|{{SCO}}
|Gareth Hibbott
|{{ENG}}
|-
|Harriet Haynes
|{{ENG}}
|Deb Burchell
|{{ENG}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2020
|Jon McAllister
|{{ENG}}
|Aaron Davies
|{{ENG}}
|-
|Amy Beauchamp<ref>{{Cite web |title=IPA Pool {{!}} International Professional Pool Association |url=http://ipapool.com/ |access-date=2020-12-30 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|{{ENG}}
|Emma Cunningham
|{{NIR}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2019
|[[Marc Farnsworth]]
|{{ENG}}
|[[Tom Cousins (pool player)|Tom Cousins]]
|{{WAL}}
|-
|Emma Cunningham<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Ladies |url=https://cuescore.com/tournament/World+Ladies/3627175 |access-date=2020-12-30 |website=CueScore |language=en}}</ref>
|{{NIR}}
|Kerry Griffiths
|{{ENG}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2018
|Ben Davies
|{{WAL}}
|Simon Ward
|{{WAL}}
|-
|Michelle Roonay<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Ladies |url=https://cuescore.com/tournament/World+Ladies/2064941 |access-date=2020-12-30 |website=CueScore |language=en}}</ref>
|{{NIR}}
|Collette Henriksen
|{{NIR}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2017
|[[Craig Marsh]]
|{{WAL}}
|[[Simon Fitzsimmons]]
|{{ENG}}
|-
|Collette Henriksen<ref>{{Cite web |title=IPA World Championship 2017, Ladies |url=https://cuescore.com/tournament/IPA+World+Championship+2017%2C+Ladies/1283220 |access-date=2020-12-30 |website=CueScore |language=en}}</ref>
|{{NIR}}
|Leanne Evans
|{{WAL}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2016<ref>{{cite web |title=2016 IPA Professional World Championships |url=http://news.coral.co.uk/other/pool/hibbott-is-crowned-king-but-blackball-pool-is-the-winner-at-ipa-worlds_129169.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623170640/http://news.coral.co.uk/other/pool/hibbott-is-crowned-king-but-blackball-pool-is-the-winner-at-ipa-worlds_129169.html |archive-date=June 23, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hibbott is crowned king but Blackball Pool is the winner at IPA Worlds &#124; IPA Pool Tour |url=http://ipapool.com/2016/02/08/hibbott-is-crowned-king-but-blackball-pool-is-the-winner-at-ipa-worlds/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519134055/http://ipapool.com/2016/02/08/hibbott-is-crowned-king-but-blackball-pool-is-the-winner-at-ipa-worlds/ |archive-date=May 19, 2016 |access-date=May 29, 2016}}</ref>
|[[Gareth Hibbott]]
|{{ENG}}
|[[Craig Marsh]]
|{{WAL}}
|-
|Deb Burchell (2)
|{{ENG}}
|Shona Lucas
|{{SCO}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2015<ref>{{cite web |title=2015 IPA Professional World Championships |url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1c8eKCSl29hp4YvTOMtD3PB8Vj02X-CbWxfXKAXB735Y/edit#gid=345242072}}</ref>
|Jack Whelan
|{{ENG}}
|[[Jason Twist]]
|{{ENG}}
|-
|Deb Burchell
|{{ENG}}
|Shona Lucas
|{{SCO}}
|-
|2014<ref>{{cite web |title=2014 IPA Professional World Championships |url=http://ipapool.com/world-championship/world-championship-results/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627193759/http://ipapool.com/world-championship/world-championship-results/ |archive-date=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
|[[Gareth Potts]]
|{{ENG}}
|[[Clint I'Anson]]
|{{ENG}}
|}

=== PPPO World Eightball Championship ===
The following is a list of '''PPPO world eightball champions''', sanctioned by the PPPO ([[Professional Pool Players Organisation]]).
{| class="wikitable"
!Date
!Location
!Winner
!Nationality
!Runner-up
!Nationality
|-
|2005<ref>{{cite web |title=2005 EUKPF Professional World Championships |url=http://www.pppo.net/eventsummary.php?eid=250 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724020525/http://www.pppo.net/eventsummary.php?eid=250 |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |access-date=February 1, 2012 |publisher=[[Professional Pool Players Organisation]]}}</ref>
| rowspan="3" |[[Bridlington]], [[England]]
|Ben Davies
|{{WAL}}
|[[Derek Murphy (pool player)|Derek Murphy]]
|{{SCO}}
|-
|2004<ref>{{cite web |title=2004 EUKPF Professional World Championships |url=http://www.pppo.net/eventsummary.php?eid=245 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724020547/http://www.pppo.net/eventsummary.php?eid=245 |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |access-date=February 1, 2012 |publisher=Professional Pool Players Organisation}}</ref>
|Andy Lucas (2)
|{{ENG}}
|Rob Hill
|{{ENG}}
|-
|2003<ref>{{cite web |title=Rob Hill - Professional World Champion! |url=http://www.pppo.net/article.php?article=1002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724020601/http://www.pppo.net/article.php?article=1002 |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |access-date=February 1, 2012 |publisher=Professional Pool Players Organisation}}</ref>
|[[Rob Hill (pool player)|Rob Hill]]
|{{ENG}}
|Antz Morrison
|{{SCO}}
|-
|2002<ref>{{cite web |title=Sanders wins world singles crown - at last! |url=http://www.pppo.net/article.php?article=624 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724020606/http://www.pppo.net/article.php?article=624 |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |access-date=February 1, 2012 |publisher=Professional Pool Players Organisation}}</ref>
|[[Lerwick]], [[Scotland]]
|[[Steve Sanders (pool player)|Steve Sanders]]
|{{ENG}}
|[[Andy Lucas]]
|{{ENG}}
|-
|2001
|[[Morecambe]], [[England]]
|[[Ross McInnes (pool player)|Ross McInnes]] (4)
|{{SCO}}
|Rob Chambers
|{{ENG}}
|-
|2000
|[[Bridlington]], [[England]]
|Ross McInnes (3)
|{{SCO}}
|Steve Sanders
|{{ENG}}
|-
|1999
| rowspan="4" |[[Morecambe]], [[England]]
|Andy Lucas
|{{SCO}}
|Ronan McCarthy
|{{NIR}}
|-
|1998
|Ross McInnes (2)
|{{SCO}}
|Steve Sanders
|{{ENG}}
|-
|1997
|Kevin Treanor
|{{SCO}}
|Ronan McCarthy
|{{NIR}}
|-
|1996
|Ross McInnes
|{{SCO}}
|Mark White
|{{ENG}}
|}
{{crossref|For more information see: {{section link|List of world eight-ball champions|British-style}}.}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aF21EAAAQBAJ |title=The Illustrated Principles of Pool and Billiards |first1=David G. |last1=Alciatore |isbn=9781454927914 |year=2017 |format=ebook |publisher=[[Sterling Publishing|Union Square & Company]] |language=English}}
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yLpsCQAAQBAJ&q=pool+billiards |title=The Sport of Pool Billiards 1: Techniques and Training Based on PAT Part 1 |first1=David G. |last1=Alciatore |isbn=9781454927914 |date=May 2017 |format=ebook |publisher=Union Square & Company |language=English}}
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dG5INsTkJAsC&q=pool+billiards |isbn=9780156005548 |title=Byrne's New Standard Book of Pool and Billiards |year=1998 |type=Paperback |publisher=[[Harcourt Brace & Company]] |language=English |first1=Robert |last1=Byrne |authorlink1=Robert Byrne (author)}}
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yLpsCQAAQBAJ |isbn=9783941484986 |date=May 8, 2015 |format=ebook |publisher=[[Litho]] |language=English |first1=Ralph |last1= Eckert |title=The Sport of Pool Billiards 1: Techniques and Training Based on PAT Part 1|year=2015}}
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C-mt6DVhbHkC&q=pool+billiards |title=Pool and Billiards For Dummies
|first1=Nicholas |last1=Leider |year=2010|isbn=9780470633946 |series=[[For Dummies]] |date=February 12, 2010 |format=ebook |publisher=[[Wiley (publisher)|Wiley]] |language=English}}

==External links==
* [http://www.wpa-pool.com/ World Pool-Billiard Association] (WPA) — World governing body for numerous versions of pool, including "blackball rules"
* [http://www.blackballinternational.org/ Blackball International (BI)] — Governing body and organisers of the official biennial World Blackball Championships.
* [http://www.ipapool.com/ International Professional Pool Players Association (IPA)] — Professional tour organisers
* [http://www.wepf.org/ World Eightball Pool Federation] (WEPF)—international governing body for "world rules"
* [http://www.blackball.uk/ UK Blackball Pool]—United Kingdom blackball pool resource
* [https://www.blackballaus.com.au/ Blackball Australia Pool Association]—Governing body for Australian Blackball Pool

{{Cue sports nav}}

[[Category:Pool (cue sports)]]