It doesn't really matter if you're a newbie or an old pro at pool. The most important thing is to decide whether you prefer to play 8-ball or 9-ball. Both games are fun and can be played competitively, but the 9-ball game offers more winning chances. The best way to choose between the two is to consider your personal style and your game skills.
8 ball is an excellent choice for those just starting out or looking to have fun. You will have a lot more opportunities to make shots and the game is simpler than 9 ball. You will have to be more familiar with the rules than what you've played before. You need to be familiar with all the rules, such as the rule to pocket balls in numerical order, and you will need to be able to shoot balls in a particular order.
With regard to the 8 ball you need to know how to make a play, when to put it in a pocket and when to let it go. To make a run out you'll need to first pocket the balls on your team, and then take the 8 ball. Depending on the tournament, you might need to make a minimum number of pocket shots before your run out. But, you should be capable of hitting the 8 ball in only one or two shots.
There are many similarities to the 8 ball as well as the 9 ball. You can either use a triangle to direct the balls to the correct spot or play with slop. A 9 ball cannot be pocketed. You have only a few chances to make 9 ball shots, and the only one that counts is the "Golden Break," which will give you the win, regardless how many of your balls were used.
You can take the Golden Break right after you have made your break. If you are able to make the shot, it is possible to win. To be successful, however, you must have a good grasp of the cueball. If you don’t feel confident with the cue ball, you may have trouble making the 8-ball. The rules for 8 ball will vary a bit, but in general, you will need to be very precise with your shots, and the game is not as forgiving as it might sound.
The main difference in the two games is 8 ball is slightly easier than 9 ball. But it is harder to master. It is actually more difficult to master because there are so many national bodies that oversee the rules of 8 ball. You will need to learn them all before you can play. Also, 8 ball's rules may be slightly different to 9 ball.