| 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 rectangle 6-pocket table with 15 balls, plus a cue ball. Balls
comprise two groups, represented by two different coloured balls plus the 8
ball which is black. Alternatively, numerical balls may be used numbered 1-7,
which are plain coloured balls and 9-15, which are striped coloured balls.
Balls in the two groups are known as object balls. |
| 3. |
OBJECT OF THE GAME
|
|
The player or team pocketing their group of object balls first in any
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 with the 8 ball (black) on the 8 ball spot,
which is at the intersection of the center 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 his/her 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 within the 'D'. That player must pot one or more object
balls or cause at least two object balls to return to an imaginary line joining
the two center pockets (i.e. to the 'D' half of the table). This constitutes a
legal break. The breaking player shall then verbally nominate his/her group of
object balls before play continues, even if a foul has been committed when rule
6 will apply (except as in 4 (f)). |
|
(d) |
Any
balls potted prior to groups being nominated are ignored for the purpose of
establishing a players' group of object balls. |
|
(e) |
If a
legal break is not achieved the balls are re-racked and the oncoming player
re-starts the game with one free shot, following which the group must be
nominated before continuing with a normal visit to the table. |
|
(f) |
If the
player pockets the 8 ball (black) from the break, the game shall be re-started
by the same player. No penalty will be incurred. The balls to be re-racked.
This applies even if other balls, including the cue ball, are pocketed as
well. |
|
(g) |
If a
ball or balls are legally pocketed, this entitles the player to one additional
shot and this continues until the player either: |
|
|
i) |
Fails to pocket one
of his/her set of allocated balls, or |
|
|
ii) |
Commits a foul at
any time. |
|
(h) |
Combination shots are allowed provided that the player hits one of
his/her own group of balls first (unless rule 6(b) applies). |
|
(i) |
A player
may legally pocket one or more of their opponents object balls Providing the
cue ball strikes one of their own group first and providing that one or more of
their own group are pocketed on the same shot. |
| 5. |
FOULS |
|
(a) |
In off
(cue ball pocketed). |
|
(b) |
Hitting
opponents' balls before his/her own ball or balls except when rule 6(b)
applies. |
|
(c) |
Failing
to hit any ball with the cue ball. |
|
(d) |
Jump
shots - defined as when the cue ball jumps over any part of any ball before
making contact with any object ball. |
|
(e) |
If a
player hits the 8 ball (black) with the cue ball on the first impact before all
his/her own balls have been potted, except where rule 6(b) applies. |
|
(f) |
Potting
any opponents balls except when rule 4(i) or 6(b) applies. |
|
(g) |
Ball off
the table:- |
|
|
i) |
Any object ball or
the 8 ball (black) shall be returned to the 8 ball spot (see 4(a)) or as near
as possible to that spot without touching any other ball, in a direct line
between that spot and the center of the 'D'. |
|
|
ii) |
If the cue ball, the
ball to be played from any position on or within the 'D'.
A ball shall be
deemed off the table if it comes to rest other than on the bed of the table.
|
|
(h) |
If a
players clothing or body should touch any ball. |
|
(i) |
Player
not having at least one foot on the floor. |
|
(j) |
Playing
or touching with the cue any other ball other than the cue ball. |
|
(k) |
Playing
out of turn. |
|
(l) |
Playing
before balls have come to rest. |
|
(m) |
Playing
before the ball or balls have been re-spotted. |
|
(n) |
Striking
the cue ball with any part of the cue other than the tip. |
|
(o) |
Striking
the cue ball with the cue more than once. |
|
(p) |
Playing
a shot before the breaking player has nominated a group of object balls
following the break shot. |
|
(q) |
Push
stroke (see 8(a)). |
|
(r) |
Moving
an object ball or the 8 ball (black) when playing away from a touching
ball. |
| 6. |
PENALTY FOLLOWING ANY FOUL |
|
(a) |
Following any foul described under section 5 the oncoming player may
play the cue ball from where it lies or from the 'D' (as in rule 8(b) and
proceed as 6(b). Moving the cue ball to the 'D' does not constitute a Shot or
Visit. |
|
(b) |
Following a foul, the oncoming player is entitled to one free shot
which may be played may without nomination, play the cue ball directly onto any
ball, including the opponents object balls and the 8 ball (black). However, the
8 ball (black) may not be pocketed, which would mean loss of the game, unless
the player has already pocketed all of their own group of object balls and only
needs to pocket the 8 ball (black) to win the game. |
|
(c) |
Following the single free shot described in 6(a) the player will
commence his/her normal visit. |
| 7. |
LOSS
OF GAME |
|
If a
player pockets the 8 ball (black) before he/she pockets all the balls in
his/her own group, except as allowed under rule 4(g), he/she loses the game.
|
| A player
going in off the 8 ball (black) when the 8 ball (black) is pocketed, loses the
game. |
| A player
who clearly fails to make any attempt to play a ball of his/her own group will
lose the game. |
| If a
player seeks to gain advantage by deliberately touching a moving ball or
retrieving a ball dropping into the pocket he/she shall lose the
game. |
| 8. |
GENERAL |
|
PUSH
STROKE - defined as when the tip of the cue remains in contact with the cue
ball once it has commenced its forward motion. |
|
CUE BALL
IN HAND - when a player has the cue ball in hand he/she plays from any position
on or within the 'D' and in any direction. |
|
PLAYER
IN CONTROL - A player is said to be in control of the table from the time that
his/her body, cue or clothing touches the table prior to his/her shot, through
his/her visit and up until his/her opponent does likewise prior to his/her
visit. Any balls which fall into the pockets during this period (including the
8 ball (black)), he/she is said to have potted and he/she is liable to any
penalties or benefits normally awarded to him/her for the potting of that ball
or balls as are accorded to him/her in the rules of the game (rule 5(c)
applies).
The game is completed when the 8 ball (black) is potted in any
pocket and all the remaining balls including the cue ball have come to rest,
except where rule 4(f) applies. |
|
TOUCHING
BALL - a player must play away from a touching ball which must not move (see
rule 5(r)). If the touching ball is one of the players own group, he/she is
deemed to have played that ball. If the touching ball is not one of his/her own
group the cue ball must strike one of his/her own group. When rule 6(b) applies
a player must play away from a touching and is deemed to have played that
ball. |
| 9. |
STALEMATE |
|
Should
any situation arise whereby a legal shot cannot be played, then the game shall
be restarted by the same player 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 taking into consideration "GUIDANCE (h)". |
|
GUIDANCE |
|
(a) |
The term
'Shot' means striking the ball once. |
|
(b) |
The term
'visit' refers to one turn at the table comprising one or a series of
shots. |
|
(c) |
The term
'break' refers to the first shot of the game or the first shot of a game being
re-started. |
|
(d) |
Coaching
is deemed to be unsportsmanlike behavior (see rule 1). |
|
(e) |
A
referee may, if requested, advise on the rules of the game. |
|
(f) |
There is
an obligation on both players to ensure the breaking player nominates a group
pf object balls. |
|
(g) |
The
referee should ensure that excessive time is not taken to play a shot and
should act in accordance with competition rules or guidance. |
|
(h) |
Re-racks
as in Rule 9 may be a reduced number of balls in accordance with competition
rules or guidance. |
|
(i) |
In
Doubles matches once a player is control of the table, conversation with others
including the partner is unsporting and shall be dealt with under competition
rules. |
| E.& U.K.P.F. © Not to be reproduced without
written authorisation of the publishers. |
