Rules of the Game
Headings
1. THE GAME
2. REQUIREMENTS OF THE GAME
3. OBJECT OF THE GAME
4. COMMENCEMENT OF THE GAME (or re-start)
5. FOULS
6. PENALTY FOLLOWING ANY FOUL
7. LOSS OF GAME
8. GENERAL
9. STALEMATE
10. GUIDANCE
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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.
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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.
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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.
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(a) The balls are racked 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
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 centre 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))
i) Following the break,
if no ball is pocketed it is the responsibility of the
oncoming player to ensure the breaker nominated his/her
choice of colour before he/she plays his/her shot.
ii) Following the break, if a ball is potted it is the
responsibility of the breaker to nominate his/her choice of
colour. Failure to do so will result in a foul being awarded
to the non-breaker.
(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. This takes
precedence over any foul from the break shot.
(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.
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(a) In off (cue ball pocketed)
(b) Hitting opponent's 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 centre 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 player's 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.
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(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.
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(a) 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.
(b) A player going in off the 8 ball (black) when the 8 ball
(black) is pocketed, loses the game.
(c) 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.
(d) If a player seeks to gain
advantage by deliberately touching a moving ball he/she
shall lose the game.
(e) If a player retrieves a
ball dropping into the pocket he/she shall lose the game.
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(a) PUSH STROKE defined as when the tip of the cue
remains in contact with the cue ball once it has commenced
its forward motion.
(b) 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.
(c) 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).
Note
This is not the same as the current SPA rules which state A
player is said to be in control of the table from the start
of his/her visit until the balls have come to rest. Any
player taking part in / refereeing a competition organised
by the SPA (not including qualification for the Scottish
Singles) must be aware of this difference.
(d) 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.
(e) 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.
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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)".
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(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 behaviour (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 will be a nine ball re-rack with
the toss of a coin deciding the breaker.
(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.
(j) The referee can, if he
wishes, ask spectators their view on a disputed shot before
making his/her decision.
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