Editing Nine-ball (section)

===Breaking===
[[File:EVD-billar-195.jpg|thumb|Two players competing in a {{cuegloss|lag}} to choose who breaks first.]]
Each rack begins with the object balls placed in a [[rack (billiards)|rack]] and one player playing a {{cuegloss|break}}.<ref name="vrules2">{{Cite web |title=9 – Ball Rules |work=vnea.com |access-date=6 January 2020 |url=http://www.vnea.com/111111new-page.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518072354/http://vnea.com/111111new-page.aspx |archive-date=18 May 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> The object balls are placed in a diamond-shaped configuration, with the 1-ball positioned at the front on the {{cuegloss|foot spot}}, and the 9-ball placed in the center. The rack used to position the balls may be either triangle-shaped, as is used for eight-ball and other pool games, or a specific diamond-shaped rack that holds only nine balls may be used. Racks are usually made of wood or plastic.<ref name="dime_Bill">{{Cite web |title=Billiards Racks Dimensions & Drawings |url=https://www.dimensions.guide/element/billiards-pool-racks |access-date=6 January 2020 |work=dimensions.guide}}</ref> A template that lies on the table during the break has also come into use.<ref name="dime_Bill" />

The break consists of hitting the 1 ball, with the attempt to pocket any ball. If the 9 ball is successfully potted, the player automatically wins the rack. This is sometimes known as a {{cuegloss|golden break}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Golden Break |work=billiardsforum.com |access-date=6 January 2020 |url=http://www.billiardsforum.com/billiard-terms-definition/golden-break |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301014541/http://www.billiardsforum.com/billiard-terms-definition/golden-break |archive-date=1 March 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Additional rules in some tournaments exist, such as a number of balls having to reach the {{cuegloss|head string}}, and players can be chosen to break alternately or whoever won the preceding rack. The break is often the most crucial shot in nine-ball, as it is possible to win a rack without the opponent having taken a single shot. This is often called a {{cuegloss|break and run}}, or running the rack.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Break and Run |work=billiardsforum.com |access-date=6 January 2020 |url=http://www.billiardsforum.com/billiard-terms-definition/break-and-run |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702060821/http://www.billiardsforum.com/billiard-terms-definition/break-and-run |archive-date=2 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Earl Strickland]] holds the record for break and runs, after he successfully ran 11 consecutive racks in a tournament in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Billiards Digest – Pool's Top Source for News, Views, Tips & More |url=http://www.billiardsdigest.com/new_current_issue/july_16/bb_index.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118120640/http://www.billiardsdigest.com/new_current_issue/july_16/bb_index.php |archive-date=18 January 2017 |access-date=6 January 2020 |work=billiards digest}}</ref> The first break of a match is sometimes decided by a flip of a coin, but often by playing a {{cuegloss|lag}}, with both players playing a cue ball down the table, the closest to the top rail winning the initial break.<ref name="rules" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Starting Strong: How to Win the Lag {{!}} Pool Cues and Billiards Supplies at PoolDawg.com |work=pooldawg.com |access-date=6 January 2020 |url= https://www.pooldawg.com/article/pooldawg-library/starting-strong-how-to-win-the-lag}}</ref>