8 BALL POOL RULES

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 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.

The referee's duty is to referee the game in an impartial and fair manner at all times

 2 REQUIREMENTS OF THE GAME
The game is played on a rectangular 6-Pocket table with 15 balls plus a cue ball. Balls are comprised of two groups, red and yellow, plus an 8 ball, which is a solid colour black. Balls in the two groups are known as the 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 RESTART)

 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.

 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 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: If balls of both Colours are potted on the break the player MUST 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 has an “open” table.

 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 will determine the 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 set of allocated balls, or
(2) commits a foul at any time.

 ( ALLOWED ONLY AFTER
1st VISIT FOLLOWING A FOUL ).
i: Combination shots are allowed, providing that the player hits: Either group of balls with their 1st shot following a foul , " Known As A Free Table On 1st Visit Only "
( Black Ball must be the last ball potted)
Example: 2 Shots Blackball potted & opponent's ball falls in after * Loss Of Game*(rule 6(c).

5: FOULS
a: In off (cue ball pocketed).
b: Cue ball leaving the table.
c: Hitting the opponent's ball(s) with the cue ball on the first impact of the cue ball, except with the first shot following any foul.
d: Failing to hit any ball with the cue ball.
e: Jump shot - defined as when the cue ball jumps over any part of any ball before making contact with any ball.
f: Hitting the 8 ball (black) with the cue ball before all their own group are pocketed, except with the first shot following any foul.
g: Potting any opponent's ball, except with the first shot following any foul.
h: Ball off the table:

1) 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 the spot without touching any other ball, in a direct line between that spot and the centre of the baulk line.

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

 i: If a player's 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)).
j: Players not having at least one foot on the floor.
k: Playing or touching with the cue, any ball other than the cue ball.
l: Striking the cue ball with any part of the cue other than the tip.
m: Playing out of turn.
n: Playing before balls have come to rest
o: Playing before any ball(s) that require re-spotting, are re-spotted.
p: Striking the cue ball with the cue more than once.
q: Push shot - defined as when

 i) the cue tip remains in contact with the cue ball when the cue ball makes contact with the object ball or

 ii) the tip remains in contact with the cue ball once the cue ball has commenced its forward motion.

 r: Failing to nominate when balls of both groups are pocketed with the first legal pot.

 s: Foul break, failing to pot an object ball, or drive at least two object balls to any cushion(s).

 6: PENALTY FOLLOWING A FOUL (Two Shots Carry)

a: Following a foul the offending player loses their next visit to the table, giving the opponent two consecutive visits to the table.

 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 lies, or the cue ball may be played from any position behind the baulk line. Moving the cue ball in this manner does not count as a shot, or visit. (Players must 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 opponent's 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 pot 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)), will lose 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 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 opponents ball & then the Black with a combination shot ( Black Ball must be the last ball to enter the pocket, otherwise, Loss Of Frame).

 d: A player who clearly fails to make any attempt to play a ball of their own group will lose the game.

e: Players deliberately prevent balls from entering pockets using their hand or cue - THIS INCLUDES THE WHITE BALL. REMEMBER, NO INTENTIONAL INTERFERENCE DURING A GAME

8: GENERAL
a: Touching the ball

 i) If the cue ball is touching an object ball, the player must play 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 opponent's ball or 8 ball (black), then the shot is fair and not a foul.

 b: Cue ball in hand
When a player has the cue ball in hand, the ball is played from any position 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 is impossible to play, then the game shall be re-started by the player who started the 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 the frame. The referee should not allow numerous visits with neither player making any attempt to play the opening pot 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.

UNABLE TO PLAY A LEGAL SHOT RULE