World Eight Ball Pool Federation Rules
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A. The Spirit
of the Game
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The game is known as Eight-Ball Pool.
It is expected that players will always play the game in the true spirit and
in a sporting manner. The referee will take whatever action is necessary to
ensure that the spirit and rules of the game are observed.
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B. Equipment
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The game of Eight-Ball Pool is played
with:-
- A
"Cue Ball" - being a white ball.
- Fifteen
"Object balls" - consisting of:-
- "Colours"
- being a group of seven red balls (or balls numbered 1-7) and a group
of seven yellow balls (or balls numbered 9-15).
- The
"Eight-Ball" - being a black ball marked with a number
"8".
- A six
pocket rectangular Pool Table with general characteristics as follows:
- The
cloth will be marked with a "Spot" at the position where a
straight line drawn diagonally from the centre of a side pocket to the
centre of a corner pocket would intersect with a straight line drawn
from the centre of the opposite side pocket to the centre of the other
corner pocket.
- The
cloth will be marked with a "Baulk Line" being a straight
line drawn from cushion to cushion, parallel to, and one fifth of the
length of the table from, the face of the cushion that lies the
greatest distance from the spot.
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C.
Definitions
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- Shot: A "Shot" begins when all balls stop moving from
the previous shot. A player "Plays a Shot" by striking the Cue
Ball with the tip of the cue. A "Shot" ends when all balls
stop moving from the current shot.
- Play: To "Play" and Object Ball is to play a shot that
results in the Cue Ball's first contact with another ball to be with
that Object Ball. To "Play" the cue ball is to strike it with
the tip of the cue.
- Ball
On: At any time during a frame, a ball
"On" is any Object Ball that the player may play without
incurring a penalty.
- Pot: A ball is "Potted" when it leaves the bed of the
table, enters a pocket and remains in that pocket.
- Visit: A "Visit" comprises one shot or a series of
shots. Each visit lasts until the player fails to pot a ball
"On". (Or until a foul is committed or the frame ends).
- Turn: A players "Turn" at the table comprises one visit
or, after most fouls committed by the opponent, two visits.
- Frame: A "Frame" is one game of Eight-Ball Pool between
two players or two pairs of players. A frame is played from the opening
break and usually through until the Eight-Ball is potted. (Note:
there are other ways that a frame may end.
- Match: A "Match" is a predetermined number of frames of
Eight-Ball Pool between two players, two pairs of players or two teams
of players.
- Player in Control: A player
(and the player's partner in doubles) is deemed to be "In
Control" of the frame from the time that the balls stop moving from
the final shot of an opponent's turn until the balls stop moving from
the final shot of the player's turn. There can be no instance, once a
frame has commenced, that someone is not in control.
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D. Object of
the Game
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- The object
of the game is to win by being the first player to Pot a group of
colours in any order and in any pocket and then Pot the Eight-Ball in
any pocket.
- When
"On" a group of colours, potting more than one ball of that
Colour in the same shot is allowed. But a separate shot must be played
to pot the Eight-Ball and win the game.
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E. Playing
from Baulk
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- "Baulk"
is the rectangular area of the table that is bordered by the Baulk Line
and the three cushions at that end of the table.
- When
playing from Baulk:-
- The
centre point of the Cue Ball must be in Baulk when a shot is played.
(If the centre of the Cue Ball is directly on the Baulk Line it is not
deemed to be in Baulk.)
- The Cue
Ball can be moved into position by hand or with the shaft of the cue,
but when touched by the tip of the cue, a shot is deemed to have been
played.
- The Cue
Ball may be played in any direction.
- If a
player wishes to play from Baulk after a "Foul Snooker",
"Foul Jaw Snooker", or "Time Foul" the player must
verbally advise the referee of this choice and the referee will then
recover the Cue Ball and hand it to the player or place it on top of,
and in the centre of, the cushion at the Baulk end of the table for the
player to retrieve by hand. If the player touches or recovers the Cue
Ball it is a Standard Foul.
- After
an "In Off","Foul Snooker","Foul Jaw Snooker", or
"Time Foul" the player must endeavour to position the Cue
Ball so as not to create a Foul Snooker. If the player claims a Foul
Snooker from Baulk, the referee may choose to move the Cue Ball around
to determine if there is any position in Baulk where the player would
not be Foul Snookered. Whether such a position is found or not, the
referee will announce the result and hand the Cue Ball back to the
player or place it on top of, and in the centre of, the cushion at the
Baulk end of the table for the player to retrieve by hand.
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F. The Break
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- The object
balls are racked with the Eight-Ball on the Spot.
- In the
absence of any competition / tournament rules to the contrary, a coin
will be tossed to determine which player will break. If a series of
frames is to be played (A Match), the break of each subsequent frame
will alternate.
- The first
shot of a frame is called the "Break". To "Break". the Cue Ball is played at the triangle of Object
Balls from Baulk. The frame is deemed to have commenced the instant that
the Cue Ball is played.
-
- The
Break will be deemed a "Fair Break" if:-
- At
least one Colour is potted.
and/or
- Four
Object Balls (at least) are driven to a cushion.
- If the
Break is not a Fair Break it is a Non-Standard Foul and:-
- The
opponent is awarded two visits.
- The
balls are re-racked.
- The
opponent re-starts the game and is under the same obligation to
achieve a Fair Break.
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- If
the Cue Ball is potted on a Fair Break it is a Non-Standard Foul that
is penalised by the turn passing to the opponent.
- If the
break is not a Fair Break and the Cue Ball is potted, the penalty for
failure to perform a Fair Break applies. (see (b) above).
- If the
Eight-Ball is potted on any break, the balls are re-racked and the same
player will break again. When the Eight-Ball is potted on the break, all
other aspects of the shot are ignored. (Except if a Serious Foul or
breech of the "Spirit of the Game" occurs).
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G. Legal Shot
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- On all
shots, the player must:-
- Cause
the Cue Ball's initial contact with a ball to be with a ball "On",
AND THEN
- Pot a
ball "On" OR Cause the Cue Ball or any Object Ball to
contact a cushion.
- Failure to
play a Legal Shot is a Standard Foul.
- Exceptions:
- On the
Break, the conditions of a Legal Shot do not apply.
- When
playing out of a Total Snooker a player is only obliged to meet the
conditions of (1)(a) above.
- Interpretations:
- If the
Cue Ball's initial contact is with an Object Ball that is touching a
cushion, simply forcing that Object Ball into the same cushion does not
constitute a Legal Shot.
- If
the Cue Ball and the Object Ball are touching the same cushion, simply
forcing the Cue Ball and / or that Object Ball into the same cushion
does not constitute a Legal Shot.
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H. Deciding
Colours
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- General
- When
Colours have not been decided the table is deemed to be
"Open". When the table is open a player may play at either
group of Colours.
- Colours
can never be decided on a foul shot.
- Once
Colours are decided, the player remains "On" that coloured
group for the duration of the frame. The opponent remains
"On" the opposite coloured group.
- Playing
a shot after neglecting to nominate a choice of Colours is a Standard
Foul. Any balls potted on such a shot are left in the pocket and
ignored for the purpose of deciding Colours.
- On the
Break
- If no
Colours are potted on the break the table is "Open".
- If one
or more Colours are potted on the break the player then has a right and
obligation to verbally advise the referee of a choice of Colour before
proceeding. Failure to do so is a Standard Foul. If a player is fouled
under this rule the opponent faces an "Open" table.
-
- if the player nominates a
Colour that was potted on the break, the player is on that Colour no
matter what happens next.
- if the player nominates a
Colour that was not potted on the break, to be on that Colour, the
player must pot a ball of that Colour on the next shot.
- After the
Break
- If a
player pots one or more balls of the same Colour, the player is then
"On" that Colour.
- If
a player pots one or more balls of different Colours, the player then
has a right and obligation to verbally advise the referee of a choice
of Colour before proceeding. Failure to do so is a Standard Foul. If a
player is fouled under this rule, the opponent faces an
"Open" table.
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I. Time
Allowed
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- A player
has a maximum of sixty seconds to play each shot.
- The
Referee will start timing when all balls have come to rest from the
previous shot.
- If the
first thirty seconds elapses before a shot is
played, the referee will call "Thirty Seconds" as a warning to
the player. This call must be made the instant the thirty seconds has
expired. A Referee should not postpone the call because it appears that
the player is about to play a shot.
- If a shot
is not played within sixty seconds it is a Non-Standard Foul. The
oncoming player is awarded two visits from:-
- Where
the Cue Ball lies, OR, if the player wishes
- From
Baulk
- The
referee may decide to grant "Time Out". being a period when
timing ceases:-
- At the
request of a player. (For example, something is obstructing the
player or the player needs to leave the playing area.) AND/OR
- Because
the referee deems that it is warranted. (For example, the referee
may call time out when making a close foul snooker decision or when
searching for a piece of equipment requested by a player.)
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J. Fouls
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There are four types of foul. Standard
Fouls, Non-Standard Fouls, Serious Fouls and Loss of Frame Fouls. A player
can only be penalised for one foul at a time. If two or more fouls are
committed during a shot, the foul that carries the most severe penalty will
apply except in the case of a Time Foul, where the incoming player has the
right to "Ball in hand", penalty for Time Foul still applies, even
though a Serious Foul has been called and applied.
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K. Standard
Fouls
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Standard
fouls are to be called by the referee as soon as they occur and the fouled
player is in control, until all balls from that shot come to rest.
The referee then awards two visits to the opponent.
- Potting
the Cue Ball - "In Off" {except on a Fair Break }. The incoming player plays from Baulk.
- Playing
from outside Baulk when obliged to play from Baulk.
- Potting
an opponent's ball. (except when it is the properly nominated
ball following a Foul Snooker or Foul Jaw Snooker)
- Failing
to cause the Cue Ball's initial contact with a ball, to be with a ball
"On".
- Accidentally
striking the Cue Ball with any part of the cue other than the tip.
- Accidentally
striking an Object Ball with any part of the cue.
- Playing a
shot before all balls have come to rest from
the previous shot.
- Playing a
shot before any balls that require spotting, have been spotted.
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- Touching
the table while having a cigarette (lit or unlit) in hand or mouth.
- Causing
a cigarette (lit or unlit) to touch the table or enter the space
directly above the table.
- Touching
the table while having a beverage container in hand.
- Causing
a beverage container or beverage to touch the table or enter the space
directly above the table.
- Touching
the table when not in control of the frame. Exception -
When a player's turn is finished, that player has a maximum of 10
seconds to move away from the table. (see 11 below)
- Not
moving away from the table within 10 seconds of the time that all balls
stopped moving from the final shot of a turn at the table.
- Coaching:- During a frame, a player is required to play
without receiving any advice from other persons relating to the playing
of the frame. Should a team member or bona-fide supporter of a player
offer advice, the referee will issue a "First and Final
Warning" to that person that a repetition will result in the player
being penalised via a Standard Foul.
Because it may not always be possible for the Referee to hear if a
statement made to a player is advice, the referee may issue the First
and Final Warning on the grounds that any statement made to a player,
other than general barracking, is deemed to be coaching.
In a tournament setting, a First and Final warning may be given once
only, before the commencement of the day's play as a block warning to
all players and spectators
- Leaving
the playing area without permission. If a player needs to leave the
playing area during a frame or match, "Time Out" must firstly
be granted by the referee.
- Playing a
shot after neglecting to nominate a choice of Colour when the obligation
and right to do so existed.
- Playing a
push shot or Double Hit of a type defined in.
- Failing
to perform a "Legal Shot".
- After
being awarded a Foul Snooker or Foul Jaw Snooker:-
Playing an opponents ball or the Eight Ball without first nominating
that ball.
- Playing a
shot while not having at least one foot touching the floor.
- Failing
to "Play Away" from a touching ball.
- A ball
remaining off the table.
- Players
body or clothing touching any ball
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L.
Non-Standard Foul
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Non-Standard
Fouls are to be called by the referee as soon as they occur and the fouled
player is in control, until all balls from that shot come to rest.
The referee will then impose the relevant penalty. Non-Standard Fouls are so
called because the penalty and / or options of the incoming player may vary.
- Failure
to perform a Fair Break.
- Failure
to play a shot within 60 seconds of the time that the balls came to rest
from the previous shot.
- Potting
the Cue Ball on a Fair Break
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M. Serious
Standard Fouls
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Serious
Fouls are to be called by the referee as soon as they occur and the fouled
player is in control, until all balls from that shot come to rest.
The referee will replace the balls as near as possible to the positions they
were in before the Serious Foul was committed and award two visits to the
opponent.
- Playing
a shot out of turn (accidentally or deliberately).
- A
player who plays a shot at any time during a frame when the right to do
so does not exist has played out of turn. (For example, A player who plays a shot immediately after playing
a foul or immediately after the referee has called a foul on that
player, has played out of turn.)
- Exception - A shot played
out of turn accidentally, that disrupts the balls to such an extent
that the Referee deems it impossible to replace them, the Referee will
give the opponent the choice of either playing the ball from where they
lie or replaying the frame. If the frame is replayed the same player is
to break again.
- Deliberately
striking a ball other than the Cue Ball with the tip of the cue.
- Deliberately
causing any ball or balls to be moved in a manner other than that which
may result from playing a normal shot.
- Deliberately
striking the Cue Ball with other than the tip of the cue.
- Causing
the Cue Ball to jump over any ball. (If the Cue Ball leaves the bed of
the table and misses an Object Ball that would have been struck had the
Cue Ball not left the table on an otherwise identical shot, the Cue Ball
is deemed to have jumped over that Object Ball.)
- Deliberately
interfering, by word or action, so as to disrupt an opponents
play.
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N. Loss of
Frame Fouls
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- Committing
a foul in the same shot that the Eight Ball is potted. (Except on the Break).
- Potting
the Eight Ball when a ball or balls of the player's own Colour are still
on the table. (except on the Break)
- Potting
the Eight Ball and the last ball or balls of the player's own Colour in
the same shot
- Committing
two Serious Fouls in the one frame.
- Committing
a Serious Foul that disrupts the balls to such an extent that the
referee deems it impossible to replace them as close as possible to
their original positions.
- Any
deliberate attempt to prevent the opponent from potting the Eight Ball,
when the opponent is on the Eight Ball, by way of a Serious Foul or
other unsporting manoeuvre.
- If a
player breeches the "Spirit of the Game" to such an extent
that the frame (or match) should be awarded to the opponent.
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O. Push Shots
and Double Hits
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- Definitions: Most shots commonly known as "Push Shots" in the
game of "Snooker" are allowed in the game of Eight-Ball Pool.
Generally, any shot played with speed will not be deemed to be a Push
Shot regardless of the fact that the cue tip may have come into contact
with the Cue Ball more than once.
- Exceptions
that are Standard Fouls:-
- When,
during the playing of a shot, the tip of the cue strikes the Cue Ball
twice and the referee is able to actually see each contact.
- When,
during the playing of a shot, a player plays the cue so slowly through
the Cue Ball that the cue tip remains in contact with the Cue Ball so
as to be visibly pushing it along.
- When
the Cue Ball is played into a touching Object Ball.
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P. Snookers
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- Definition: A player is Snookered when it is
impossible to play the finest cut possible on both sides of any of that
player's own Colour by way of a "straight-line" shot.
Snookering an opponent is not a foul.
- A player
cannot be Snookered by a ball of the player's
own Colour. That is, if one of the player's own coloured group is an
obstructing ball, it will be ignored for the purposes of determining a Snooker.
- A player
cannot be Snookered on an Object Ball if the
Cue Ball is touching that Object Ball.
- A player
cannot be Snookered by the straight sections of
the cushions. If a straight section of a cushion is preventing the
finest possible cut on the side of an Object Ball, that section of
cushion will be deemed not to exist for the purposes of determining a
Snooker on that Object Ball.
Exception - In a Total Snooker the straight sections of
cushion DO come into consideration. If a player has to
strike a cushion prior to impact with a "Ball On", then a
"Total Snooker" does exist
- If
an Object Ball is partly obscured by a curved section (Jaw), this in
itself does not constitute a Snooker.
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Q. Total
Snookers
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- Definition: A player is in a Total Snooker when it is impossible to
play any part of any of the player's own Colour by way of a
"straight line" shot. Leaving an opponent in a Total Snooker
is not a foul.
- If a
player believes that a Total Snooker exists, the player may ask the
referee for a ruling.
- If
the referee rules that a Total Snooker exists, the player's obligations
under the "Legal Shot" rule are relaxed as follows:- The player need only cause the Cue Ball's initial
contact to be with a ball "On". The requirement to pot a ball
and / or cause a ball to strike a cushion is waived.
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R. Foul
Snookers
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- Definition: When an opponent plays a foul shot and this
results in the incoming player being snookered, the incoming
player is deemed to be Foul Snookered.
- If a
player believes that a Foul Snooker exists, the player may ask the
referee for a ruling.
- If the
referee rules that a foul snooker exists, the player initially has the
following options:-
- Play
the Cue Ball from where it lies. {see (4)(a) below} OR
- Ask
the referee to remove the Cue Ball so as to allow the player to play
from Baulk. {see (4)(b) below }
-
-
- If
the player chooses to play the Cue Ball from where it lies, the player
may, if the player wishes, nominate the Eight Ball (but see (5) below)
or any one of the opponent's Colour. The player can nominate a
particular ball by verbal description of it or its position or by
pointing at it. The Referee may ask for further information if any
doubt exists as to which ball has been nominated.
- Once
nominated, a ball is deemed to "become one" of the player's
Colour for the first shot of the first visit. The player may then play
any of the player's own Colour or the nominated ball. If any of the
player's Colour and/or the nominated ball are
potted, the player continues with the first visit.
- If the
player chooses to play the Cue Ball from Baulk, a Foul Snooker may no
longer exist. In this case the procedure under the heading should be
followed. If the referee decides that a Foul Snooker does still exist,
the player may nominate a ball and follow the procedure in (4)(a) above.
- If the
Eight Ball is nominated it may be played, but potting it will mean loss
of frame.
- If
a player is "On" the Eight Ball and Foul Snookered:- The
player may play a nominated ball or the Eight Ball and pot either or both
of these balls, directly or indirectly, in any pocket or pockets.
Assuming the player does not commit a foul:-
i.
If neither
the Eight Ball or the nominated ball is potted, the player's first
visit is complete.
ii.
If the nominated ball is
potted and the Eight Ball is not, the player continues with the first visit.
iii.
If the nominated ball and the
Eight Ball are potted, the player wins the frame.
iv.
If the Eight Ball is potted
and the nominated ball is not, the player wins the frame.
- If
a Foul Snooker exists and the Cue Ball is touching an opponent's ball or
balls, the player may, but is not obliged to, nominate one of those
touching balls.
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S. Foul Jaw
Snookers
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If an opponent fouls and the Cue Ball
come to rest on or near a Jaw (curved part of a cushion), and that jaw is
preventing the player from playing the finest cut possible on both sides of
any of that player's own colour by way of a "straight line shot, the
player is deemed to be Foul Snookered and all the rules pertaining to Foul
Snookers will apply.
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T. Touching
Balls
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- General
- If the
Cue Ball is touching an Object Ball, the player is obliged to
"Play Away" from that Object Ball at an angle of more than 90
degrees. (That is, play the shot without causing the Cue Ball to make
any initial further contact with that Object Ball)
- If,
when playing away from a touching ball, the touching ball rocks or
moves without being contacted further, but simply because the Cue Ball
is no longer there, no penalty will apply.
- When
Colours have been decided:-
- Playing
away from a touching Object Ball of the player's own Colour:-
The instant a player plays away from a touching Object Ball of the
player's own Colour, the player is deemed to have played that ball.
Therefore, the player needs to then only pot a ball or cause any ball
to strike a cushion to fulfill all the
requirements of a Legal Shot.
- Playing
away from a touching Object Ball of the opponent's Colour.
The player must play away from the touching ball and then meet all the
requirements of a Legal Shot.
-
- Playing
away from the touching Eight Ball when "On" the Eight Ball.
The player must play away from the touching Eight Ball and then need
only cause any ball to strike a cushion to fulfill
the requirements of a Legal Shot.
- Playing
away from the touching Eight Ball when not "On" the Eight
Ball.
The player must play away from the touching Eighth Ball and the meet
all the requirements of a Legal Shot.
- Playing
away from two or more touching Object Balls:-
- If
any of the touching Object Balls are of the player's Colour, the
player will be deemed to have played away if the player plays away
from any one of the touching balls of the player's Colour. That is,
the player may play into any of the other touching balls. The player
needs then to only pot a ball or cause any ball to strike a cushion to
fulfill the requirements of a Legal Shot.
- If
none of the touching Object Balls are of the players
coloured group, the player must play away from all the touching balls
and then meet all the requirements of a Legal Shot.
- When
Colours have yet to be decided:-
- Playing
away from a touching Coloured Ball
The instant a player plays away from a
touching Object Ball the player is deemed to have played that ball.
Therefore, the player needs to then only pot a ball or cause any ball
to strike a cushion to fulfill all the
requirements of a Legal Shot.
- Playing
away from a touching Eight Ball
The player must play away from the touching
Eight Ball and then meet all the requirements of a Legal Shot.
- Playing
away from two or more touching Object Balls.
If the player plays away from any of the touching Coloured Balls the
player is deemed to have played that ball. That is, the player may play
into any of the other touching Object Balls. The player needs to then
only pot a ball or cause any ball to strike a cushion to meet all the
requirements of a Legal Shot.
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U. Balls off
the Table
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- It is
Standard Foul if a ball leaves the playing surface (other than being
potted) and remains off the playing surface or doesn't return by its own
means.
- Definitions
/ Examples
- "Playing
Surface":- The playing surface of the table is the flat part of
the table between the cushions.
- "By
its own means":-
- It
is not a foul if a ball leaves the playing surface, runs along the top
of a cushion, drops back on to the playing surface and comes to rest
there or falls into a pocket.
- It is
a Standard Foul if a ball leaves the playing
surface, comes into contact with a person or object that is not
a part of the table and then returns to the playing surface.
- "Off
the Table":- It is a Standard Foul if a ball leaves the playing
surface and comes to rest on other than the playing surface. (e.g.
On the floor or on the top of a cushion)
- "Spotted":-
A ball is spotted when its centre point is placed on the spot or, if
this is not possible, as near as possible to the spot in a direct line
between the spot and the centre point of the cushion that lies the
greatest distance from the Baulk Line. If this is not possible, as near
as is possible to the spot, in a direct line between the spot and the
centre point of the baulk line.
If any of the following balls require spotting, they are spotted in the
following order:-
1.
Eight Ball then
2.
Red Balls in any order (or
balls numbered 1 to 7 in numerical order) then
3.
Yellow Balls in any order (or
balls numbered 9 to 15 in numerical order)
Spotted balls should be placed as close
to each other and any intervening balls as possible, without touching.
- If a
ball leaves the playing surface and remains off the playing surface, it
shall be returned to the table:-
- If it
is a Cue Ball it is to be played from Baulk.
- If
it is an Object Ball (or Balls) it is to be Spotted.
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V. Balls
Falling Without Being Hit
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- Any
ball that falls into a pocket at any time, without being struck, shall
be replaced by the Referee to its original position, no penalty, player
in control continues with the visit.
If any other balls are moved in these circumstances they shall also be
replaced as near as possible to their original positions and the player
in control continues with that visit.
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W.
Interference
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- If any
balls are moved during a frame:-
- By a
person other than the players taking part in the frame or,
- As a
direct result of one of the players being bumped or,
- Due
to any other event deemed outside the players' control such as:-
- "An
Act of God" such as an earthquake etc
- Tip
falling off a cue or end falling off a spider etc,
The referee will replace the balls as
near as possible to the positions they were in before the incident occurred,
no penalty shall be imposed on either of the players and the frame shall
continue.
-
-
- The
referee will prevent any unauthorised marking of the table. If a player
causes a block of billiard chalk or other foreign matter to be on any
part of the table it is not a foul. However, the referee will ensure
that the item is removed.
- If a
player repeatedly causes a block of billiard chalk or other foreign
matter to be on any part of the table the referee may deem that the
player has breached the Spirit of the Game and award the frame to the
opponent.
- Exception
to (a) above:- A cigarette or beverage
container.
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X. Impossible
Shot
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A situation may arise during a frame
where it is impossible for a player to play a shot without fouling. In such a
situation the player has no other option but to commit a foul.
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Y. Stalemate
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The referee shall declare a Stalemate if
both the player and the opponent have three turns in succession where the Cue
Ball fails to make contact with an Object Ball. In such a case, the frame
will be replayed with the same player breaking.
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Z. Referee's
Guideline and Duties
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The
Referee's Duties and Guidelines listed below supplement those directions
contained in various other sections of these rules.
- The Referee's
decision is final except where players have been advised that it is
possible to appeal to a Head Referee or other higher authority.
- Information
to be disclosed / not disclosed by a referee:-
- A
player is responsible for knowing the rules of the game. It is not the
referee's duty to explain or quote the rules to a player.
- A
referee, if asked by a player, may divulge certain information
pertaining to the frame in question under the guidelines of the
"Past, Present and Future Rule". A referee may divulge
information relating to any past event or present situation in the
frame. For example:- "Who's turn is
it?" - Present. "Was that a foul?" - Past. Which Colour
am I On?" - Present. However, "If I play this shot will it be
a foul?" is a question regarding the Future and the referee should
advise the player that the referee cannot answer this type of question.
- The
referee shall toss a coin to determine the break and announce the
result.
- If an
Object Ball (or balls) is potted on the break the referee will advise
both players of this fact by announcing "Ball (or balls)
potted". When a player has a right and an obligation to nominate a
choice of Colour, and does so, the referee will announce "Player
'A' On Red (or Yellow) Balls". When that player's turn is complete
the referee w ill advise the incoming player of the situation by
announcing "Player 'B' on Yellow (or Red )
Balls".
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a.
The Referee will call fouls
as soon as they occur and the fouled player immediately loses control of the
table.
- The
call for a Standard Foul is "Foul, Two
Visits".
- The
call for a Non-Standard Foul is "Foul, (and announce the relevant
penalty)."
- The
call for a Serious Foul is "Serious Foul, Two Visits".
- The
call for a loss of Frame Foul is "Loss of Frame".
b.
After a player has been
awarded two visits the referee will make no call until the player fails to
pot a ball "On". (Except for 30 second time warnings and for any
fouls that may occur) The referee will then call "Second Visit" to
advise the player that the first visit is complete and the second visit is
about to begin.
- The
referee will call any instance when the Cue Ball is touching a ball
"On".
- In the
absence of any competition / tournament rules to the contrary, two
referees will referee each frame. One referee will make the standard
calls such as "Second Visit" and a "Player a on Red (or Yellow) Balls" while the other
referee will keep the time. Both referee's will
be involved in the refereeing of the frame and either can call fouls. If
one referee calls a foul, the other referee can not overrule the call.
That is, the two referees have equal authority.
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These
Playing Rules are the copyright of the World
Eight-ball Pool Federation
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