OFFICIAL UK 8 BALL POOL RULES FO

OFFICIAL UK 8 BALL POOL RULES FOR THURSDAY NIGHT WWW.POOLPAGES.CO.UK

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 pool in the true spirit of the game and in a sportsman like manner. It should be understood that the referee is the sole judge of what is fair and unfair play. The referee will take whatever action is necessary to assure that these rules are observed.

2. Requirements of the game.

The game is played on a rectangular 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, 9-15 which are striped coloured balls.

Balls in 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 potting the 8 ball (black), wins the game.

4. Commencement of the game.

(a) The balls are racked as illustrated below with the 8 ball (black) on the 8 ball spot which is at the intersection of centre and corner pockets.

(b) Order of play is determined by playing a lag. The winner of the lag has the option of breaking or requesting his/her opponent to do so.

(c) The opening player plays at the triangle of the object balls by sinking the cue ball from any position on or within the baulk area. He /she 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 one break shot followed by one visit.

(d) On the break if a player legally pots one colour or balls from both colours then he/she must nominate his/her choice before continuing to play.

(e) If no ball is pocketed from a legal break, then the oncoming player must clearly nominate his/her choice of group of object balls before play continues.

(f) If a foul is committed on the break other than as in 4(g) any balls pocketed are ignored in determining groups.

(g) If a 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 potted as well.

(h) If a ball or balls are legally potted, this entitles the player to one additional shot and this continues until the player either:

(1) fails to pocket one of his/her set of allocated balls, or

(2) Commits a foul at any time.

(i) Combination shots are allowed provided the player hits one of his/her own groups of balls first (unless rule 6(b) applies).

(j) A player may legally pot one or more of their opponents object ball/s providing the cue ball strikes one of their own group first and providing one or more of their own group are pocketed on the same shot.

5. FOULS.

(a) In off cue ball pocketed.

(b) Hitting opponent’s balls before his/her own ball or balls, except when rule 6(b) applies.

(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 when rule 6(b) applies.

(f) Potting any opponent’s 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(b)) 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 table.

(ii) If the cue ball, the cue ball to be played from any position on or within the baulk area. A ball shall be deemed to be “off the table” if it comes to rest other than 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 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) Failing to clearly nominate when rule 4(d) or rule 4(f) applies.

(q) Foul break (see 4(c)).

(r) Push stroke (see 8(a)).

(s) 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 rule 5 the oncoming player may play the cue ball from where it lies or from the baulk area (as in rule 8(b)) and proceed as 6(b). Moving the cue ball to the baulk area does not constitute a shot or visit.

(b) Following a foul the oncoming player is entitled to one free shot with which he/she may without nomination, play the cue ball directly onto any ball, including opponents object balls and the 8 ball (black). However he/she may not pocket the 8 ball (black), which would mean loss of the game, unless the player has already pocketed all of his/her own group of object balls and only needs to pocket the 8 ball (black) to win the game.

7. LOSS OF GAME.

(a) If a player pockets the 8 ball (black) before he/she pockets all 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 potted, loses the game.

(c) A player who clearly fails to make any attempt to play a ball of his/her own group to gain advantage will lose the game.

(d) If a player seeks to gain advantage by deliberately touching a moving ball or retrieving a ball dropping into the pocket he/she shall cocede a foul.

8. GENERAL.

(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 baulk area 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 that 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).

(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(g) applies.

(e) TOUCHING BALL- a player must play away from a touching ball which must not move (see 5(s)). 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 6(b) applies a player must play away from a touching ball 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 the situation is arrived at by accident or design. If 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 same player.

GUIDANCE.

(a) The term ‘shot’ means striking the cue ball once.

(b) The term ‘visit’ refers to one term at the table comprising one or a series of shots.

(d) Coaching is deemed to be unsportsmanlike behaviour (see rule 1) and a referee can call a foul.

(e) A referee may, if requested, advise on the rules of the game.

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