Official
8 Ball Pool Rules (As per the British Association Of Pool Table Operators, 1985
on behalf of BAPTO and the EPA)
Please be aware of amendment in red under rule
6, part D.
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 the 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. THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE GAME The game is played on a rectangular 6-pocket table with 15 balls, plus a cue ball. Balls comprise of 7 yellow and 7 red, plus the 8 ball, which is black. The coloured balls are known as object balls.
a) The balls are racked as shown in Fig. 1 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 to break or request his opponent to do so.
c) The opening player plays at the triangle of object
balls by striking the ball from any position on or within the 'D'. He must
pocket a ball or cause at least two object balls to hit a cushion. Failure to do
so is a foul break and will result in the balls being re-racked. The opposing
player re-starts the game with two visits.
d) On the first occasion a player legally pockets an object ball, including following a foul, then that ball denotes his or her group, unless he or she pockets a red and yellow ball, when he or she must nominate his or her choice before play continues. If he or she fails to pot nominated colour it is then deemed that the player continues with the chosen colour throughout the game.
e) If no ball is pocketed from a legal break, then
the players continue alternatively until such time a ball or balls are pocketed.
f) If a foul is committed (other than as rule 3g) on
the first occasion, one or more object balls are pocketed, then those balls are
ignored in determining the groups to be played and the oncoming player plays at
any ball on the table.
g) 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 are then re-racked. This applies even if other balls,
including the cue ball, are pocketed as well.
h) 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 or her set of allocated balls, or ii)
Commits a foul, at any time.
I) Combination shots are allowed provided that the player hits one of his or her own group of balls first (unless rule 5b applies).
a) In off (cue ball pocketed).
b) Hitting opponent's balls before his or her own
ball or balls, except when rule 5b applies.
c) Failing to hit any ball with the cue ball.
d) Jump shot - 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 or her balls have been potted, except
when rule 5b applies.
f) Potting any opponent's ball, except when rule 5b
applies
g) Ball off the table. I) Any object ball or the 8
ball (black), shall be returned to the 8 ball spot (see 3a) 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'. (The ball shall be deemed to be 'off the
table' if it comes to rest anywhere 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 any other ball other than the
cue ball.
k) Playing out of turn
l) Playing before balls 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
in any one visit.
p) Failing to nominate when rule 3d applies.
q) Foul break (see 3c).
a) Following any foul the offending player loses his
or her next visit to the table, and his or her opponent is entitled to two
consecutive visits to the table
b) On the first shot only, of his or her visit, the oncoming player may, without nomination, play the cue ball onto any ball without penalty (including his or her opponent's object balls and the 8 ball (black). If he or she pots any ball or balls directly or by combination, he or she is deemed to have potted a legal ball (or balls) and continues his or her first visit. However he or she may not pot the 8 ball (black), which would mean loss of game, unless he or she is on the 8 ball (black). When he or she fails to pot a ball on the first of consequent shot of his or her first visit, he or she will then start his or her second visit (see rule 3d).
c) If a player is snookered (unable to play a legal
full ball shot at any one of his or her own group of object balls) after a foul
stroke, then the cue ball may be played from the 'D' and proceed as rule 5a and
5b. Moving the cue ball in this manner does not count as a shot or visit.
d) A 'full ball shot' is defined as being able to strike the centre of
the object ball directly with the centre of the cue ball
e)
With no object balls potted. (i.e. all 7 of each colour and black). First shot
of first visit. See Rule 5(b). On second shot either of first visit/ or start of
second visit. The player will then nominate a colour to play. If he or she fails
to pot nominated colour it is then deemed that the
player continues with the chosen colour throughout the game.
6. LOSS OF GAME
a) If the player pockets the 8 ball (black) before he
or she pockets all the balls of his or her own nominated group, except as
allowed under rule 3g, he or she loses the game.
b) A player going in off the 8 ball (black) and Any
other ball on the same shot will lose the game.
c) A player potting the 8 ball (black) and any other
ball on the same shot will lose the game, except following a foul, (free
table) when only the 8 ball (black) and ball or balls of the
opponent's group are on the table, when he or she may legally pot the 8 ball
(black) as well as balls of his or her opponent's group in any order.
d) A player who clearly fails to make any attempt to
play a ball of his or her own group, or deliberately uses
one of his/her own balls to pot an opponents ball will lose the game (known as a deliberate
foul).
e) A player potting the 8 ball (black) and committing any foul in the same shot results in loss of game.
a) Push Stroke A push stroke is allowed but a player
may play away from a touching ball of his or her own group and be deemed to have
played that ball. Should the cue ball be touching an opponent's ball or 8 ball
(black), a player shall play away without penalty providing that the cue ball
strikes one of his or her own group. When 5b applies, a player may play away
from any touching ball and be deemed to have played that ball.
b) Cue Ball in Hand When a player has the cue ball in
hand, he or 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 or her body, hands or clothing
touches the table and plays a shot, through his or her visit and up until his or
her opponent does likewise prior to his or her visit. Any balls which fall into
pockets during this period (including 8 ball (black)) he or she is said to have
potted and he or she is liable to any penalties or benefits normally awarded to
him or her for the potting of that ball or balls as are accorded to him or her
in the rules of the game (rule 5b applies).
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 3g applies.
a) The term 'shot' means striking the cue ball once.
b) The term 'visit' refers to one turn at the table
comprising of one or a series of shots.
c) The term 'break' refers to the first shot of the
game or the first shot of the game being re-started.
d) Coaching is deemed as unsportsmanlike behaviour
(see rule 1). e) A referee may, if requested, advise on the rules of the game.
1.
Both
players in a double must be registered B & D Pool League players and both
registered to the same team.
2.
A
Double game is played with the same match rules as any other game, other than:
3.
The
team captains will list both players on the result card to play the game i.e.
Player 1/Player 2 verses Opponent 1/opponent 2.
4.
The
appointed referee will then toss a coin a decide which team double will play
first. Then the pair will then nominate there first player from there double
5.
On
first visit to table the first nominated player of the double will play. And
then the other player of the double will play next visit. And then play
alternates between players in the double on subsequent visits to the table.
Except after a foul a player is given two visits of which the same player will
play both visits. (Note. a visit to the table consists of a legal shot and then
if potted, continue to a second or a number of legal shots. (Until a missed pot,
a foul is committed or game is won).
6.
The game will be played with a time limit, a maximum of 1 (one) minute
discussion is allowed between the nominated double/pair only, before each
shot
7.
Once
one of the double then rests on the table to play a shot, discussion time is
over and then the shot will be played without further discussion.
8.
Whilst
the shot is being played the other half of the double should then stand clear of
the table and not assist the playing partner in the shot being taken in any way.
9.
The
referee has full control over the game and where required monitor time limits
and deemed unfair play/coaching. If noted that either of the above is not being
fulfilled the referee can nominate a foul. Awarding 2 visits to the opponents.
10.The game will play until it comes to an end (see rule 6 of match play rules)
Remember
that the Berkhamsted and district pool league is a friendly Monday night out.
The
committee has noted it over the last couple of years, and especially last season
that the etiquette is starting to fail, i.e. nasty comments, fighting talk and
un-sporting behaviour between playing teams.
So
as chairman I want all players signing on for the next season to read the next
few comments and when signing the registration form make a mental note. This
will hopefully lead to the coming and following seasons returning to the
friendly league of which we set out as a committee to provide.
1.
The
home team will provide referees. (Note. The referees must know at least 90% of
the rules, and be willing to do it. Anything he is unsure about he can halt the
game and discuss with either of the players and or the captains but not
spectators. Remember the referee’s decision is final).
2.
Play
commences at 8.15pm and will be given 15 minutes grace. (Note this again is a
rule, please ensure that to the best of you’re ability that 4 players are
present to start the match on time).
3.
Spectators
are there to cheer on/support there team. (Note Barracking or abuse to either
their team mate/s or opposing team is not deemed sportsman like, also trying to
put players off whilst trying to play a shot is also UN sportsman like and thus
all leads to conflicts).
4.
Conflicts
that arise on playing nights of B. & D. pool league matches that are noted
to the committee will be dealt with in an appropriate manor. (Note this could
result in fines, match results being void, or even team exclusion from the
league).
5.
Captains
or deputy captains are responsible for their team on the match night (Note any
players/spectators that is deemed being disruptive on the night should be
approached by their captain and please have a quiet word).
Please
note
that we as a committee are not here to spoil your Monday night out by setting
loads and loads of rules, So we rely on good sportsman to behave so. We do not
wish to have to bad reports from venues and matches, but from this season on we
will be tougher on trouble teams.
Sixes Match Rules
Match and league rules apply to this competition. And playing etiquette is welcomed. Food is not required to be supplied for this tournament.
Referees
On the first leg of the competition we would hope as a committee that between the 2 captains of the teams playing on the night, that they can come to an agreement. Either have alternate refs, same person refereeing, two refs (i.e. one from each team) or home team refs. On the second leg onwards we the committee hope to have a representative to watch over the match, but not necessarily to ref all games.
1. Old Grey Mare (O.G.M.) and Gossoms End both play at the George & Dragon,
Northchurch
2. B.T.F.C. is Berkhamsted
Town Football Club
3. Greyhound is in
Wigginton
4. The Plough is in Potton End