in pool why is the eight ball black?

Answer 1

You could look at it like an artistic question. If I remember correctly from my HS art class, white light contains all the colors of the rainbow and black is considered to be the total absence of light. Since the cue ball is used in all the shots, it's appropriate that it be white. Since the 8-ball (in the game of 8-ball) has no suit (stripes or solids) it's appropriate that it be black. M.D.-BCA Instructor Referee.

P.S. The racist comment was directly stolen from a comedy bit by Chris Rock.

Answer 2

1 down 14 to go why is the one ball yellow, why is the two ball blue,why is the 3 ball red ,Oh never mind
when 8 ball was first played 7 balls were one 7 ball another
mostly red & yellow .the winning ball was black so they put #s on them the 8 just stayed black

Answer 3

Maybe because the striking ball is white and as black is the opposite colour why not make it the last ball to be sunk to win. Just a guess I really have no idea if it's right : - ).

Answer 4

I think the 8-ball is black because traditionally the color black is associated with darkness, evil, and especially death. In pool, if you sink the 8-ball, you automatically "die" or lose.

Answer 5

I consider black(8-ball) and white(cue-ball) to be neutral(non-colored.) Just logical that that would be the choices for being the balls allowed used by both playes.

Answer 6

Since the goal of the game is to sink all the colored balls first, it identifies it as the last ball.

Answer 7

Probably because it's considered "bad luck". It's certainly bad luck for you if the little booger goes into the pocket unless it's the last ball on the table!

Answer 8

More interestingly, why is the eight ball solid black, not polka dot.

Answer 9

So the WHITE ball (Cue) can HIT the BLACK ball into the hole...Pretty racist game set-up, huh? hehe...