ROTHER VALLEY POOL LEAGUE 2024/2025
WINTER LEAGUE STANDARD RULES
NEW TO THIS SEASON:
*LAG FOR BREAK! THEN ALTERNATE!
IF SHORT OF 1 PLAYER! IN THE 8TH FRAME THE OPPOSING CAPTAIN WILL RANDOMLY CHOOSE A PLAYER!
1) The game shall be known as 8 ball pool and referred to in these rules as the “GAME”.
Players and teams shall play in the spirit of the game, and in a sportsman like manner.
It must be clearly understood that the referee is the sole judge of what is fair and unfair play.
The referee shall take whatever action is necessary to see that these rules are observed.
THE REFEREES DECISION IS FINAL.
2) Requirements of the game.
There will be two groups of seven balls, usually red and yellow, plus the black ball (No 8).
The groups are known as object balls.
3) Object of the game.
The winner will be the first player to legally pocket their nominated colour and the black ball. If a player receives 2 visits with only the black remaining as their legal ball, then the black can be potted along with any of their opponent’s balls on the first visit only. On the second visit, the black ball must be the only ball potted to win the game. Pocketing the black ball (No. 8) before all nominated colour balls are potted is loss of frame, unless rule 4 j applies.
4) Commencement of the game.
a) The balls are racked with a red leading on the head spot.
b) Order of play is determined by the flip of a coin.
c) The away team provides the referee for the first frame, then alternately from each team.
d) The opening player breaks off from any position behind the black line.
e) The opening player should pocket a ball, or drive a minimum of two object balls to hit any cushion. Failing to do either can result in the opponent accepting the balls as they lie, where they will receive 2 visits, or demanding that the balls be re- racked, and the break be repeated.
f) Should a player pot a single colour from the break the Referee MUST ask the player to nominate the choice of colour they intend to play, however if they nominate the opposite colour to the one potted they must then pot that colour ball for them to become their legal colour, if they nominate the colour potted from the break then they do not need to pot as the break is deemed a legal shot. A foul cannot be called if the referee does not ask the player to nominate their intended colour.
f) If no ball is pocketed from the break, the players continue alternately until such a time a ball is pocketed. However, the first ball potted will then become their object colour for the duration of the frame unless one or more balls of each colour are potted then the referee MUST ask the player to nominate their colour of choice. A foul cannot be called if the referee does not ask the player to nominate their intended colour.
g) If the black ball is pocketed from the break, the balls shall be re-racked with no penalty to the breaking player.
(NEW): IF A BALL DROPS INTO THE POCKET,IT WILL NOT GET REPLACED!! THE PLAYER WILL CONTINUE IF ITS HIS OWN BALL, OPPONETS BALL WILL BE A FOUL, UNLESS THE PLAYER HAS APPOCHED THE TABLE BY TOUCHING THE TABLE.
5) Fouls
Fouls may be called by the Referee for any of the following reasons.
Intentional jump shots, hitting the opponents object ball, failure to nominate a colour of choice when asked, failure to hit a nominated object ball, players body, cue or clothing touching any ball, ball off the table, pocketing the cue ball, and instruction given by other team members.
a) The penalty for a foul is two shots away, free table first shot only (player may strike any ball), and the two shots carry.
b) After a foul, the player may take his two shots as the balls lie, or the cue ball may be played from behind the black line. Only the referee may move the cue ball, when it is requested, except when the cue ball being illegally potted or leaves the table, when the player may retrieve the cue ball themselves. However, if the player comes into contact with any other ball while doing so, a foul will be called.
c) If any ball other than the cue ball leaves the table, it shall be deemed lost, and sent down a pocket.
d) A ball will be deemed to be “off the table” when it lands and comes to rest, anywhere other than on
the playing surface.
e) Any player clearly making no attempt to play his own object ball may be disqualified, or warned by the referee.
f) Push shots are allowed.
h) If a player touches the table it shall be deemed a visit, however should an opponent’s hanging ball drop after addressing the table, it shall be deemed a foul, whether or not a shot has been played.
i) In the same situation, should any legal ball drop, including the black, then that shall be deemed a legal shot.
j) A visit does not start until a player addresses/touches the table and a visit finishes when the opposing player addresses/touches the table.
k) Playing partners may confer during doubles matches, but can only do so in between visits and up to such time as a player addresses/touches the table. Playing partners cannot confer after the break off shot. Conferring after a playing partner addresses/touches the table will be deemed a foul.
L) If the Player Fouls off the Break! Then its 2shots FREE TABLE! FIRST BALL POTTED IS A FREE BALL/or nominate that colour to be on them !! If you don’t nominate that colour ball potted first the your NEXT LEGAL BALL POTTED IS what your on! If no balls potted in 2shots then back to an open table!
THE REFEREES DECISION IS FINAL.
6) Stalemate.
Should any situation arise where a legal shot cannot be made, or if the referee decides that neither player is allowing the frame to continue, he may call a re-rack. The same player shall restart the game.
THE REFEREES DECISION IS FINAL.
7) Definition of a Legal Shot – A Legal shot can be made when the white ball can find a physical route to one of the object balls, no matter how difficult it may be to play the shot.
8) Disputes.
In the event of any dispute,If you can’t resolve it between yourselves, then the appointed committee member must be informed as soon as possible, but only by the registered team delegate/captain.
9) Referee guidance.
Referees must never assume a player has conceded. Always wait for verbal confirmation.
After a foul, a referee should inform the player of his first and second visit, and also visit/break over.
A referee may be asked his advice on the rules during a match, please make every effort to ensure your players are aware of all relevant rules.
10) Minimum age to play – The Minimum age for players in all Team KO, Singles and Double KO competitions is 18 years. The Minimum age for all League matches is 16, however this is at the discretion of the Home team’s Licensee and this point should be checked with the venue, prior to travelling to any match to confirm the current position.
11) Winter League Format
Consist of 10 Teams in the Premier Division
Consist of 10 Teams in the Championship Division
Top 2 Teams in Div 1 will be Promoted to the Premier Div, the following season
Bottom 2 Teams in the Premier Div will be Relegated to Div 1, the following season
Each team shall consist of at least 8 persons.
Each match shall consist of 8 singles frames (Winter Season only)
A team shall be awarded 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw.
In the event of a no-show, a team will be awarded the match 5 – 3.
Each team shall pay a League Bond of £20.00.
Match Fees can be Paid all in advance, via Online Banking or at the Monthly Meetings.
Match fees are £7.00 per game (Premier Division) & £5.00 per game (CHAMPIONSHIP) (League matches only), payable in advance, once monthly. (OR PAY ONLINE BANKING!)
MR PAUL BELL
SORT CODE:40-11-93 ACCOUNT: 81337807 REF: TEAM NAME! INVOICE RECEIPT WILL BE SENT VIA EMAIL.
Each team shall also pay £10.00 entry into the League Team Knockout tournament.
All players must be registered with the League.
Each team shall pay £2 for every player registered.
12) A match shall commence Between 8pm to 8.15pm. If the away team is late, the home team may claim a frame every 15 minutes, commencing at 8.30pm, Match can be claimed from 9pm, except when an away team delegate has given sensible prior warning, i.e., before 6.00pm on the night of the match.
13) No game is to be cancelled or delayed for any reason except adverse weather.
14) Player Registration.
£2 per Player!
Can Register players on the night.
The final date for player registration will be the January league meeting. Any team requiring new signings after this date are required to receive special dispensation from the league organisers.
- A new player can signed by including his Full name, via the rackem app
15) Transfer Market
A registered player may be allowed to move to another team in the league, but only if he has not played in any match as a registered player, including the League Knockout Cup, and after a reasonable period after the beginning of the season, (NO MORE THAN 2 MATCHES) and before the League deadline day (31st JANUARY 2025). However, after the deadline, any team that find they are struggling to fulfil fixtures due to player shortages may approach the members at the next available league meeting to request dispensation in registering players to complete the season.
Where a team folds or a pub closes, players are allowed to transfer to other existing teams at the discretion of the League.
ALL TRANSFERS MUST NOTIFY THE LEAGUE CHAIRMAN!
16) Filling in the online Score card
Home Team to Fill in the rackem app scorecard first with their first player and so on!
Away Team to Ref first!
Please mark down next to the players name if they do a:
Break & Clear (BC) Clears all the balls from the Break! (BREAK + DISH)
Master Out (MO) Clears all the balls after a dry break! (REVERSE DISH)
Man of the Match (MOM) or (*)
17) Results.
All Results will be automatic updated via the Rackem app.
Home and Away Captains must approve the Result.
18) Fines.
Not attending league meetings without prior contact to League Secretary, £10.00.
Result cards not arriving by the Saturday following a match, £5.00.
Failure to attend a fixture, plus a £20.00 donation towards any food expenses incurred unless the home team are notified at least 24hrs in advance (i.e. before 8pm on Monday).
19) Venues.
All Venue Address/Contact numbers can be found on the League Website
The venues for all knockout competition semi-final & finals will be decided by the league committee and not by the players or teams involved.
20) Presentation Night.
A presentation night will be arranged for the season end, venue TBD
Any team not represented by two or more members, or without a valid explanation, will forfeit any winnings they are due.
21) Singles and Doubles Knockout.
£2 entry per player
ENTRYS TO BE IN BY OCTOBER MEETING
Format:Blind Draw
Best of 5 from rd1 to the Semi’s, Semi finals best of 7, Final best of 9
3-4 Weeks to play each Round!
Both players to make contact with each other
Players contact numbers will be next to their names in the Knockout pages
It is the responsibility of the winner of a match to inform the person below as soon as possible after a match.
The one minute shot clock is to be enforced for the doubles knockout. BOTH HAVE TO AGREE!!
Any queries, call, text or email,
Paul Bell( Chairmain)
M: 07469708579 H: 01142698743 E: paulbell27@me.com
League tables are updated Daily, and can be viewed at https://www.rackemapp.com/leagues/ROTHERVALLEYPOOLLEAGUE