[ QUOTE ]
deac,
In most bar games it's either #3 or #2 behind the head string.
The official rule: "4.19 PLAYING THE 8-BALL
When the 8-ball is the legal object ball, a scratch or foul is not loss of game if the 8-ball is not pocketed or jumped from the table. Incoming player has cue ball in hand. Note: A combination shot can never be used to legally pocket the 8-ball, except when the 8-ball is the first ball contacted in the shot sequence."
http://www.bca-pool.com/play/tournam.../rls_8bl.shtml
So the official rule is #2 w/ cue ball anywhere on the table.
[/ QUOTE ]
From Wikipedia.
[ QUOTE ]
Once all the player's object balls are pocketed, he/she may attempt to sink the 8 ball. To win, the player must first call which pocket they plan to sink the 8 ball into. If the 8 ball is shot into the wrong pocket or a foul (see below) occurs, the player loses. Otherwise, the player's turn is over.
[/ QUOTE ]