The History of Riverland 8-Ball

The Riverland 8-Ball Association Inc was first established in 1976, originally operating as a men’s competition with teams competing across local venues throughout the Riverland.

As the sport continued to grow within the community, the Association evolved and eventually introduced a mixed competition format, allowing women the opportunity to participate and compete alongside men. This change helped grow the sport significantly within the region and created a more inclusive competition that continues today.

Over the decades, the Riverland 8-Ball Association has developed into a strong community sporting organisation, bringing together players from all backgrounds who share a passion for the game.

What is Eight-Ball?

Many people say that 8-Ball isn’t a sport, but anyone who has played competitively knows that it most certainly is. The game requires skill, precision, strategy, concentration, and mental discipline, making it one of the most challenging cue sports played around the world.

Eight-ball (also spelled 8-ball or eight ball), sometimes referred to as solids and stripes, spots and stripes, or occasionally highs and lows, is a form of pool billiards played on a billiard table with six pockets, using cue sticks and sixteen billiard balls.

The balls consist of:

• One cue ball

• Seven solid-coloured balls numbered 1–7

• Seven striped balls numbered 9–15

(or yellow & red balls)

• The black 8-ball

At the start of the game the balls are scattered using a break shot. Once a player legally pockets a ball, they are assigned either the solid balls or striped balls for the remainder of the game.

The objective is to legally pocket all balls from your assigned group, and then successfully pot the 8-ball into a called pocket to win the game.

A Global Cue Sport

Eight-ball is the most widely played form of pool in the world and is often considered synonymous with the term “pool.”

The game exists in many variations across different countries and regions, but the core principles remain the same.

At a professional level, eight-ball is one of the most popular cue sports disciplines worldwide and has been played professionally for decades alongside other formats such as nine-ball and straight pool.

Eight-Ball in the Riverland

For nearly 50 years, the Riverland 8-Ball Association has been proudly promoting and supporting this great sport within the region.

Through weekly competitions, tournaments, representative opportunities, and community events, the Association continues to provide players of all abilities the opportunity to participate in one of the Riverland’s longest-running organised sporting competitions.

As we celebrate our 50 Year Anniversary in 2026, we recognise the players, volunteers, venues, and supporters who have helped build the Riverland 8-Ball Association into the strong and respected organisation it is today.