The game shall be known as 8 Ball Pool and
referred to in these rules as "the game". It is intended that players
and teams should play 8 ball pool in the true spirit of the game and in
a sporting manner It should be clearly understood that the referee is
the sole judge of what is fair and unfair play. The referee will take
whatever action is necessary to ensure that these rules are observed.
2. REQUIREMENTS OF THE GAME
The game is played on a rectangular
6-Pocket table with 15 balls plus a cue ball. Balls comprise of two
numbered groups, 1-7 which are solid coloured balls, 9-15 are striped
coloured balls, the 8 ball is a solid colour black. Alliteratively the
numerical groups 1-7 & 9-15 may be represented by two different
sets of 7 coloured balls. Usually red replace stripe (9-15), yellow
replace solid (1-7). Balls in the two groups are known as object balls.
3. OBJECT OF THE GAME
The player or team pocketing all their
group of object balls in order and then legally pocketing the 8 ball
(black), wins the game.
4. COMMENCEMENT OF THE GAME (OR RE-START)
(a) The balls are racked as illustrated
(right) with the 8 ball (black) on the 8 ball spot which is at the
intersection of the centre and corner pockets.
(b) Order of play is determined by the flip
of a coin. The winner of the Flip has the option of breaking, or
requesting the opponent to do so.
(c) The opening player plays at the
triangle of object balls by striking the cue ball from any position on
or behind the baulk line. An object ball must be pocketed, or at least
two object balls hit any cushion. Failure to do so is a foul break and
will result in the balls being racked as in 4(a). The opposing Player
then starts the game with two visits.
(d) If the 8 ball (black) is pocketed from
the break shot, the balls will be re-racked, and the game will be
re-started by the same player No penalty will be incurred. This applies
even if other balls, including the cue ball are pocketed, or leave the
playing surface ("off the table").
(e) On the first occasion a player legally
pockets an object ball including following a foul, then that ball
denotes their group, unless one or more of both groups are pocketed,
the player must then nominate a group before play continues.
(f) If no object ball is pocketed from a
legal break, then the players continue alternately playing at either
group until such time a legal pot is made which decides the players
group.
(g) If a foul is committed, (other than as
rule 4(d)), and one or more object balls are pocketed before playing
groups are decided, then those balls are ignored in determining the
groups to be played. The oncoming player may play at any ball on the
table, including 8 ball (black) for the first shot, the first legal pot
to determine the group as rule 4(e).
(h) If a ball, or balls, are legally
pocketed, this entitles the player to one additional shot and this
continues until the player either:
(1) Fails to pocket one of their set of
allocated balls, or
(2) Commits a foul at any time.
If one or more Colours are
potted on the break the player then has a right and obligation to
verbally advise the referee of a choice of Colour before proceeding.
Failure to do so is a Foul. If a player is fouled under this rule the
opponent faces an "Open" table.
If the player nominates a Colour that was potted on the break, the
player is on that Colour no matter what happens next.
If the player nominates a Colour that was not potted on the break, to
be on that Colour, the player must pot a ball of that Colour on the
next shot.
(i) Combination shots are allowed,
providing that the player hits one of their own group first, or any
ball with the first shot following any foul (rule 6(c)).
5. FOULS
(a) In off (cue ball pocketed).
(b) Hitting opponent's ball(s) with the cue
ball on first impact of cue ball, except with the first shot following
any foul. (c) Failing to hit any ball with cue ball.
(d) Jump shot - defined as when the cue
ball jumps over any part of any ball before making contact with any
ball.
(e) Hitting the 8 ball (black) with the cue
ball on first impact of cue ball before all their own group are
pocketed, except with the first shot following any foul.
(f) Potting any opponent's ball,
except with the first shot following any foul.
(g) Ball off the table:
(1) any object ball or the 8 ball (black),
shall be returned to the 8 ball spot (sea 4(a)), or as near as possible
to that spot without touching any other ball, in a direct line between
that spot and the centre of the string line.
(2) If the cue ball, cue ball played from
in hand (8(b), general). A ball shall be deemed "off the table" if it
returns to rest other than on the bed of the table.
(h) If a players body or clothing should
touch any ball. Except the cue ball after the referee calls "foul",
when the player is entitled to the cue ball in hand (see 6(b)).
(I) Player not having at least one foot on
the floor,
(j) Playing or touching with the cue, any
ball other than the cue ball.
(k) Striking the cue ball with any part of
the cue other than the tip.
(I) Playing out of turn.
(m) Playing before balls have come to rest.
(n) Playing before any ball(s) that require
re-spotting, are re-spotted.
(o) Striking the cue ball with the cue more
than once.
(p) Push shot - defined as when (a) the cue
tip of the cue remains in contact with the cue ball when the cue ball
makes contact with the object ball, or (b) the top remains in contact
with the cue ball once the cue ball has commenced its forward motion.
(q) Failing to nominate when balls of both
groups are pocketed with the first legal pot.
(r) Foul break, failing to pot an object
ball, or drive at least two object balls to any cushion(s).
(s) Potting the white
from a normal break. (no other foul committed)
6. PENALTY FOLLOWING ANY FOUL
(a) Following any foul the offending player
loses their next visit to the table, giving the opponent two
consecutive visits to the table.
The exception is: If the Cue
Ball is potted on a normal Break it is penalised by the turn passing to
the opponent and the table remains 'open'
(b) If the cue ball has come to rest on the
playing surface, then the player having two visits may proceed to play
from where the cue ball ties, or the cue ball may be played from any
position on or behind the baulk line. Moving the cue ball in this
manner does not count as a shot, or visit. (Players are advised to ask
the referee to hand them the cue ball.)
(c) On the first shot only of the first
visit, the oncoming player may play the cue ball onto any ball without
penalty (including any opponents ball or 8 ball (black)). If any object
ball(s) is pocketed directly, or by any combination then the player is
deemed to have pocketed a legal ball(s), and continues with the first
visit. However the player must not pot the 8 ball (black), which would
mean loss of game. Except if the player was on 8 ball (black), then the
game would be won. When the player fails to put a ball on the first or
subsequent shot of the first visit, play then continues with the second
visit. The second visit is deemed to have started when the cue ball is
struck on the first shot of the second visit.
7. LOSS OF GAME
(a) If a player pockets the 8 ball (black)
before all the balls in their own group, except on the break (rule
4(d)), the player loses the game.
(b) A player committing any foul whilst
pocketing 8 ball (black), except on the break (rule 4(d)), loses the
game.
(c) A player pocketing the 8 ball (black)
and any other ball on the same shot will lose the game. Except
following a foul when only the 8 ball (black) and ball(s) of the
opponent's group are on the table, then with the first shot of the
first visit, the player may legally pocket the 8 ball (black) as well
as ball(s) of the opponent's group by any combination and in any order.
(d) A player who clearly fails to make any
attempt to play a ball of their own group will lose the game.
8. GENERAL
(a) Touching the ball
(i) If the cue baI1 is touching an object
ball, the playermustplay away from that ball. To move the
object ball is a foul.
(ii) If the cue ball is touching any ball
the player is legally entitled to play then the player is deemed to
have played that ball. Should the cue ball fail to make contact with
any ball, or strike opponents ball of 8 ball (black), then the shot is
fair no foul.
(b) Cue bal1 in hand
When a player has the cue ball in hand, the
ball is played from any position on or behind the baulk line, and in
any direction.
(c ) Player in control
A player is said to be in control of the
table from the time that their body cue or clothing touches the table
prior to their shot, throughout the visit(s) and up until the opponent
does likewise prior to their visit. Any ball(s) which fall into
pocket(s) during this period, (including 8 ball (black)) are said to
have been pocketed, the player in control being liable to any penalties
or benefits normally awarded for the pocketing of the ball(s).
However once the cue ball has been struck a
legal shot must be completed, a ball falling in does not cancel out any
foul.
(d) The game is completed when the 8 ball
(black) is pocketed in any pocket, and all the remaining balls have
come to rest, except on the break, rule 4(d).
9. STALEMATE
Should any situation arise whereby a legal
shot isimpossibleto play, then the game shall be re-started
by the player who started that frame, whether this situation is arrived
at by accident or design. If in the opinion of the referee neither
player is allowing the game to progress or a stalemate situation has
arisen, then the game shall be re-started by the player who started
that frame. The referee should not allow numerous visits with neither
player making any attempt to play the opening shot which decides the
playing groups (unless it is felt progress is being made). If the
player who started that frame did so by virtue of their opponent making
a foul break, that player will break on any re-start, and not the
opponent who made the Foul break.
GUIDANCE
(a) The term "shot" means striking the cue
ball once.
(b) The term "visit" refers to one turn at
the table comprising of one, or a series of shots.
(c ) The term "break" refers to the first
shot of a game or the first shot of any game being restarted.
(d) Coaching is deemed unsporting behaviour
(see rule 1).
(e) A referee may, only if requested,
advise on rules of the game.
**************************************************************************************************************** Amendments added Season 2008-9.
4(h) If a ball, or balls, are legally pocketed, this entitles the
player to one additional shot.
and this continues until the player either:
(1) Fails to pocket one of their set of allocated balls, or
(2) Commits a foul at any time.
If one or more Colours are
potted on the break the player then has a right and obligation to
verbally advise the referee of a choice of Colour before proceeding.
Failure to do so is a Foul. If a player is fouled under this rule the
opponent faces an "Open" table.
If the player nominates a Colour that was potted on the break, the
player is on that Colour no matter what happens next.
If the player nominates a Colour that was not potted on the break, to
be on that Colour, the player must pot a ball of that Colour on the
next shot.
4(s) Potting the
white from a normal break. (no other foul committed)
6(a) Following any foul the offending player loses their next visit to
the table, giving the opponent two consecutive visits to the table.The exception is: If the Cue Ball is potted on a
normal Break it is penalised by the turn passing to the opponent and
the table remains 'open'
