1. The Game.

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 sportsmanlike 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. Alternatively, the numerical groups 1-7 and 9-15 may be represented by two different sets of 7 coloured balls. Usually red replaces stripes (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 any order, and then legally pocketing the 8 ball, wins the game.

 

4.LegalShotDefined.(CushionRule).

To play a legal shot the player must cause the cue ball’s initial contact to be with an ‘on’ ball And THEN

 

must either

 

A. Pot any ‘on’ ball or balls or

 

B. Cause the cue ball or any object ball to contact a cushion

 

The only exception being when a player is in a total snooker. In this case the player must clearly state to the referee that they are in a total snooker situation before playing their shot. The referee should not highlight a total snooker situation.

 

NOTE - Failure to notify the referee of a total snooker situation will result in a foul but only if ‘A’ or ‘B’ Above is not accomplished.

NOTE - It does not matter how a player arrives at a total snooker situation. It could be by design or by accident. The snooker could have been laid by their opponent or indeed by themselves.

 

5.The Break.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

 

A. The balls are racked as illustrated with the 8 ball (black) on the 8 ball spot, which is at the intersection of the centre and corner pockets. The player breaking off can setup the rack or ask the referee to do so. In a dispute the Referee Has the final say.

 

B. Order of play is Home team will break on odd numbered frames ( i.e. 1, 3, 5…) while the Away team will break on even numbered frames (i.e. 2, 4…).

 

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. 2 Balls must hit a cushion or a ball must be potted. Failure to do so is a foul break. (see rule 8c)

 

D. Colour groups are never decided on the 1st breakoff shot. All subsequent shots can be used to claim colour groups. To claim a colour group the Player must pot a ball or balls from a single colour group. Combination shots are allowed. You are allowed to hit the blackball first in a combination shot. Colour nomination is not necessary.

 

E. If the 8 ball (black) is pocketed from the break shot, the balls will be re-racked and the game will be restarted 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").

 

F. If The Cue Ball Is pocketed or leaves the playing surface, The oncoming player receives a Standard Foul. (see rule 6)

 

G. If no object ball is pocketed from a legal break, then the players continue alternatively playing at either group until such a time as a legal pot is made, which decides the player's colour group.

 

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 own set of allocated balls, or;

2.      Commits a foul at any time.

 

6.StandardFouls. – 2 Visits Carry Onto The Black + Free Table.

A. In off (cue ball pocketed).

 

B. Hitting an opponents’ ball(s) with the cue ball on first impact of the cue ball, except with the first shot following any foul.

 

C. Failing to hit the on ball with the cue ball, except where rule 9(A) applies.

 

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 the 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 shall be placed in a pocket.

 

2. If the cue ball, then the cue ball played from in hand (see rule 9(B) general).

 

A ball shall be deemed "off the table" if it comes to rest anywhere other than on the bed of the table.

 

H. If a player's body or clothing should touch any ball. Except the cue ball after the referee calls a "foul", when the player is entitled to the cue ball in hand (see rule 9(B)). (please note moving the ball with the cue counts as a shot (see rules 6(C) and 6(K)))

 

I.     Player not having at least part of 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.

 

L. Playing out of turn.

 

M. Playing before all balls have come to rest.

 

N. Playing before any ball(s) require re-spotting.

 

O. Foul break. Any Fouls.(see rule 8c)

 

P. Push shot

 

7.Serious Fouls. – Loss Of Frame.

A. Ball off the table - The 8 ball (black)

 

B. If a player pockets the 8 ball (black) before all the balls in their own group, except on the break (see rule 5(E)).

 

C. A player going in off the 8 ball (black) when the 8 ball (black) is pocketed.

 

D. A player pocketing the 8 ball (black) and any other ball on the same shot will lose the game.

 

E. Bringing the game into dispute (see rule 11Guidance).

 

8 .Penalties Following A Foul.

         A. STANDARD FOULS - 2 Visits Carry Onto The Black + Free Table.

 

1.      - 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 lies, 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 a visit. (Players must ask the referee to hand them the cue ball). If The cue ball has left the playing surface, Players do not need to ask the referee to hand them the cue ball.

 

2.      - On the first shot of the first visit, the oncoming player may, without nomination, play the cueball on to any ball without penalty, including any opponent's ball(s), or the 8 ball (black). If any object ball(s) is pocketed directly, or by combination, 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 is on the 8 ball (black), then the game would be won. When the player fails to pot a ball on the first or subsequent shot of the first visit, play then continues with the second visit.

 

B. SERIOUS FOULS–Loss Of Game.

 

C. FOULBREAK- Opponent has 2 options.

 

Option 1 -Play from where the cue ball lies or play from anywhere on or behind the baulk line.

               (2 Visits Carry Onto The Black + Free Table.)

The player can use the 1st visit however they wish, BUT if the player decides to pot a ball

           on their 1st visit, Then that becomes their colour group as long as a legal pot is made.

 

Option 2 – Request a rerack.

                 (2 Visits Carry Onto The Black + Free Table.)

NOTE for option 2 the player must

pot a ball from the break for 2 shots to carry, Failure to pot a ball from the break would be seen as a used shot. In that scenario 1 shot remains.

9. General.

A. Touching ball Situations.

 

1.               Cue Ball Touching opponent's ball or 8 ball (black), the player MUST play a ball of their own group. Except on the first shot of the first visit following any foul, this entitles the player to any ball.

 

2.               Cue ball Touching any ball the player is legally entitled to play. The player should play away from the touching ball, and be deemed to have played that ball. Should the cue ball fail to make contact with any ball, or strike the opponents ball, or 8 ball (black), then the shot is fair, no foul.

 

B.       Cue ball 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.       Balls Falling Into Pockets Without Being Hit.

Example 1 – Player ‘A’ is on reds. A red falls into a pocket – PLAY CONTINUES AS NORMAL

 

Example2 – Player ‘A’ is on reds. A yellow falls into a pocket – FOUL SHOT. PLAYER ‘B’ is awarded a STANDARD FOUL.

 

Example 3 - Player ‘A’ is on reds. A red and a yellow falls into a pocket – FOUL SHOT. PLAYER ‘B’ is awarded a STANDARD FOUL.

 

Example 4 – Player ‘A’ is on reds. The cue ball falls into a pocket – FOUL SHOT. PLAYER ‘B’ is awarded a STANDARD FOUL.

 

Example 5 – The black falls into a pocket – RERACK Note.

 

1.               Any deliberate attempt to make a ball fall into a pocket(E.G hitting or pushing the table) – OPPONENT GETS STANDARD FOUL.

2.               How to work out the active player at the table. – Player ‘A’ has hit their shot and retired from the table, Player ‘B’ comes over to the table. Once player ‘B’ touches the table with any part of their body or their cue or chalk – AT THAT POINT PLAYER ‘B’ IS ACTIVE. As long as player ‘B’ does not touch the table in any way, player ‘A’ stays active.

 

 

The game is completed when the 8 ball (black) is pocketed legally in any pocket, and all the remaining balls have come to rest, except on the break (see rule 5(E) ).

 

10.Stalemate.

Should any situation arise whereby a legal shot is IMPOSSIBLE to play, then the game shall be restarted by the player who started that frame, whether this situation has been arrived at by accident or design.

 

                                                                                   

 

             Examples of Stalemate situations. Player cannot get through to the Black.

 

             In the middle example the player cannot get through to the red.

 

11. Guidance.

The term "SHOT" means striking the cue ball once.

 

A. The term "VISIT" refers to the one turn at the table comprising of one or a series of shots.

 

B. The term "BREAK" refers to the first shot of a game, or the first shot of a game being restarted.

 

C. Coaching is deemed unsportsmanlike behaviour. (see rule 1).

 

D. A referee may, only if requested, advise on the rules of the game.

 

The referee’s decision is final, arguing with the referee is deemed unsportsmanlike behavior. (see rule1).