Jump Shot Pool Rules: Is a Jump Shot Legal in Pool? 7 Rules to Know

Quick answer: Yes, a jump shot is legal in pool when you do it the right way. The rules say you may make the cue ball rise off the table by raising the back of your cue and hitting down, so the cue ball bounces off the bed of the table. It is a foul if you dig under the cue ball to scoop it up, if you miscue, or if a ball jumps off the table.

A lot of players ask, "Is a jump shot legal in pool?" Some say it is always a foul. Others jump over balls on every shot. The truth is in the rules. Every rule on this page comes from the billiard game rules, official billiard rules, and 9 ball rules pages on this site.

What Is a Jump Shot in Pool?

A jump shot is a shot where the cue ball leaves the table and hops over a ball that is in the way. You use it when a ball blocks your path to the ball you need to hit. It is one way out of a hook. A kick shot off a rail is the other way.

Jump Shot Pool Rules: 7 Rules to Know

Rule 1: A Jump Shot Is Legal When You Hit Down

The general rules say that unless the rules for a game say something else, it is legal to make the cue ball rise off the bed of the table by raising the cue stick on the shot and forcing the cue ball to bounce off the bed of the table. In plain words: back of the cue up, hit down, and the table bed pops the ball into the air.

Rule 2: Digging Under the Cue Ball Is a Foul

It is a foul to strike the cue ball below center ("dig under" it) on purpose to make it rise off the table and clear a ball in the way. That is the scoop shot, and it is not a legal jump shot.

Rule 3: An Accidental Hop Is Not a Foul by Itself

Sometimes the cue ball hops a little by accident. The rules say this is not a foul on its face. It can still be called a foul for another reason, for example if the ferrule or the shaft of the cue touches the cue ball during the shot.

Rule 4: A Miscue on a Jump Shot Is a Foul

Any miscue when you are trying a jump shot is a foul. A miscue is when the tip slips off the cue ball. Good chalk and a smooth stroke help.

Rule 5: If the Blocking Ball Moves, It Is a Foul

When there is no referee, most fouls are cue ball fouls only. But the rules make one clear exception. If you try to jump, curve, or masse the cue ball over or around a ball that is in the way, and that ball moves, it is a cue ball foul. It does not matter what moved it: your hand, your cue on the follow through, or the bridge.

Rule 6: A Ball That Jumps Off the Table Is a Foul

If the cue ball or any object ball ends up off the bed of the table, it is a jumped ball and the shot is a foul. That includes a ball that lands on the rail top or the floor. A ball that touches something that is not part of the table, like the light or chalk sitting on the rail, also counts as a jumped ball, even if it falls back onto the table. A ball that bounces on the rail and comes back to the table on its own is fine.

Rule 7: Each Game Has Its Own Rule for Jumped Balls

• 8 ball: If an object ball jumps off the table, it is a foul and loss of turn. If it is the 8 ball, you lose the game. Jumped object balls are spotted. See our 8 ball rules page.
• 8 ball on the break: If you jump an object ball off the table on the break, it is a foul. The other player can take the table as it is, or take cue ball in hand behind the head string.
• 9 ball: A jumped object ball is not spotted, except the 9 ball, which is spotted. On the break, a jumped object ball is a foul and the other player gets cue ball in hand anywhere on the table. See our 9 ball rules page.

Is a Jump Shot Legal in 8 Ball Pool?

Yes. Under the official rules on this site, a jump shot made by hitting down on the cue ball is legal in 8 ball, as long as you do not dig under the ball, miscue, move the blocking ball, or send a ball off the table. Bar rules and house rules can be different. Always agree on the rules before you play. Our billiard rules page talks about how rules change from place to place.

Why Your Cue Ball Jumps When You Do Not Want It To

A student once told me his cue ball kept jumping, sometimes right off the table, when he tried a draw shot. Here is what I told him: if the cue ball is jumping, you must have the butt of the cue raised a little, or you are so low on the cue ball that you are hitting under it. Keep the cue level for a draw shot. Our draw shot in pool page shows how.

That is the same digging under the ball that the rules call a foul when you do it on purpose. So a level cue keeps your draw shots legal, too.

A Bridge for Shooting Over Balls

When you have to shoot over another ball, the open bridge can help. I do not use it for most shots, but it is handy for shooting over other balls and for jump shots. See the pictures on our pool billiards instruction page and our pool bridge hand page.

Jump Shot or Something Else?

A jump shot is not your only way out when you are blocked. You can also kick off a rail with a kick shot in pool. Better yet, plan ahead so you do not get hooked. A good safety shot in pool puts your opponent in that spot instead of you.

Thinking ahead like this is a big part of my book 8 Ball Winning Strategies. It covers safeties, getting safe or getting out, break out shots, and planning your run out, with video examples. Learn more on our 8 Ball Winning Strategies page.

Learn the Fundamentals Free

Every shot, jump shots too, starts with a good stance, bridge, and smooth stroke. Our free 7 part pool fundamentals course covers the basics one lesson at a time by email. Sign up on our free pool lessons page. You can also read a lesson from the course on our billiards instruction page.

Jump Shot Pool Rules FAQ

Are jump shots legal in pool?

Yes. Under the rules on this site, it is legal to make the cue ball rise by raising the cue and hitting down, so the cue ball bounces off the bed of the table. House rules can be different, so agree before you play.

What makes a jump shot illegal in pool?

It is a foul if you dig under the cue ball on purpose to scoop it up, if you miscue on the jump shot, if the blocking ball moves, or if any ball jumps off the table.

Is a jump shot legal in 8 ball pool?

Yes, when it is done by hitting down on the cue ball. If you jump an object ball off the table in 8 ball it is a foul and loss of turn, and jumping the 8 ball off the table loses the game.

Is it a foul if the cue ball jumps by accident?

Not by itself. The rules say an accidental hop is not a foul on its face, but it can still be a foul if, for example, the ferrule or shaft of the cue touches the cue ball.

What happens if you jump a ball off the table in 9 ball?

It is a foul. The jumped object ball is not spotted, except the 9 ball, which is spotted. On the break, the other player gets cue ball in hand anywhere on the table.

Why does my cue ball jump on a draw shot?

Most of the time the butt of your cue is raised a little, or you are hitting so low that you get under the cue ball. Keep your cue level.

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