[Feedback is requested on this preliminary revision of the rules. Click on "send feedback" by each item to send email to the editor about that item. To see what comments have already been submitted about a rule, clich on "read comments."
Some sections have not been finished yet.
These rules do not include equipment specifications or conditions for managing a tournament.
Significant changes:
These rules do not specify how to play without a referee present. (In the editor's view, the fairest way to proceed without a referee present is to give the non-shooter all the duties and rights of the referee, but this is not a universally accepted view. An official could be called over by the shooter if the shooter felt the need for protection on a shot.)
All fouls on the break at eight ball have the same options. 2.3 Break Shot
When the table is open at eight ball, the player may not hit a stripe first when claiming solids. 2.4 Choosing Groups and Continuing Play
When choosing who will break in subsequent racks at games like eight ball, options are not given (winner, loser, alternate). The editor feels it is a mistake to put a menu of choices in the rules. It would be better to choose a single standard for all games, such as alternate break -- nine ball and eight ball now differ.
Several "standard" fouls have moved to "unsportsmanlike conduct" because they are completely outside the normal play of the game. See 7.14 Unsportsmanlike Conduct
The shooter is now permitted to use the cue stick in any way he wants to align the shot, even to lay the stick on the table.
It is now a foul to intentionally miscue. This covers several
nasty little shots as well as miscuing on jump shots. See
7.7 Intentional Miscue
]
[This set of rules is a complete revision and rewording of the version of 2001. An attempt has been made to be complete, concise and clear. To achieve these goals, there have been some minor substantive changes to the rules.]
[In the on-line version of these rules, comments will be included to explain the rules or the wording of the rules but those comments do not constitute an official part of the rules.]
The following rules of pocket billiards apply to all competitions sanctioned by the World Pool-Billiard Association and its affiliated National Governing Bodies.
The rules include the following sections:
1 Rules of Nine Ball
2 Rules of Eight Ball
3 Rules of 14.1 Continuous
4 Rules of Black Ball
5 Rules of One Pocket
6 General Rules
7 Fouls
8 Instructions for the Referee
9 Definitions Used in the Rules
10 Rules for Other Games
Note that the rules for the individual games are supplemented by the sections on General Rules, Fouls, Instructions for the Referee and Definitions, and they cannot be understood without also understanding those sections.
Nine ball is played with nine numbered object balls and the cue ball. The balls are played in numerical order. The player legally pocketing the nine ball wins the rack, and the winner of a match or set is the first player to win the specified number of racks.
Players lag to determine who will break the first rack. The winner of each rack will break the next. (See 6.1 Lagging to Determine Order of Play )
The object balls are racked as tightly as possible in a diamond shape, with the one ball at the top of the diamond and on the foot spot and the nine ball in the middle of the diamond. The other balls will be placed randomly in the diamond which means without purposeful or intentional pattern.
The break shot is the same as other shots in nine ball except:
1. The cue ball begins in hand in
balk.
2. If no ball is pocketed, at least four object balls must be
driven to one or more rails, or the shot is a standard foul.
On the shot after a legal break, the player may choose to play a "push out" as his shot. He must make his intention known to the referee, and then rules 7.2 Wrong Ball First and 7.3 No Rail After Contact are suspended for the shot. If no foul is committed on a push out, the other player chooses who will shoot next.
If a player legally pockets any ball on a shot (except a push out, see 1.4 Second Shot of the Rack ), he continues at the table for the next shot. If he legally pockets the nine ball on any shot (except a push out), he wins the rack, and a new rack is started. If a player fails to pocket a ball or fouls, play passes to the other player. If no foul was committed, the incoming player must play the cue ball from the position left by the other player.
If the nine ball is pocketed on a foul or push out, or driven off the table, it is spotted. (See 6.3 Spotting Balls ) No other object ball is ever spotted.
If a player commits a foul, play passes to his opponent. The nine ball is spotted if it is not on the playing surface. The cue ball is in hand, and the incoming player may place it anywhere on the playing surface. (See 6.4 Cue Ball in Hand ) The following are standard fouls at nine ball. See below for serious fouls.
7.1 Cue Ball Scratch or off the Table
7.2 Wrong Ball First
The first object ball contacted by the cue ball on each shot must
be the lowest-numbered ball remaining on the table.
7.3 No Rail After Contact
7.4 No Foot on Floor
7.5 Ball Driven off the Table
The only jumped object ball that is spotted is the nine.
7.6 Touched Ball
7.7 Intentional Miscue
7.8 Double Hit
7.9 Push Shot
7.10 Balls Still Moving
7.11 Bad Cue Ball Placement
7.12 Bad Play from Balk
The following serious fouls are penalized as indicated
7.13 Three Consecutive Fouls -- by loss of the current rack.
7.14 Unsportsmanlike Conduct
By loss of the current rack or
the referee may choose a different penalty
depending on the nature of the offense.
Eight ball is played with 15 numbered object balls and the cue ball. A player's group of seven balls (1-7 or 9-15) must all be off the table before he pockets the eight ball to win. Shots are called.
Players lag to determine who will break the first rack, and then alternate breaking for subsequent racks. (See 6.1 Lagging to Determine Order of Play )
The 15 object balls are racked as tightly as possible in a triangle, with the apex ball on the foot spot and the eight ball as the first ball that is directly below the apex ball. One from each group of seven will be on the two lower corners of the triangle. The other balls will be placed randomly in the triangle which means without purposeful or intentional pattern.
The break shot is the same as other shots in eight ball except:
(a.) The cue ball begins in hand in
balk.
(b.) No ball is called, and the cue ball is not required to hit any
particular object ball first.
(c.) If the eight ball is pocketed or driven off the table, it is
spotted, and the shot neither wins nor loses the rack. Pocketing
the eight on the break is not a foul.
(d.) If no ball is pocketed, at least four object balls must be driven to
one or more rails. Failure to do so is a foul.
(e.) If the breaker fouls in any way, the following player may
choose one of these options: to take the balls in position; to
force the breaker to rebreak; to rebreak himself. He may take
the cue ball in hand in
balk
if he chooses to take the balls in
position.
(f.) If the breaker pockets a ball and does not foul, he continues
at the table.
Before groups are determined, the table is said to be "open," and before each shot, the player must call his intended group. The shot is then governed by all rules that apply after groups are determined. If the player legally pockets his called ball, the intended group becomes his, and his opponent is assigned the other group. If he fails to pocket his called ball, the table remains open and play passes to the other player.
Each player remains at the table as long as he continues to legally make called balls, or he wins the rack by pocketing the eight.
On each shot except the break, shots must be called as explained in 6.6 Standard Call Shot . The eight ball may be called only after the shot on which the player's group has been cleared from the table.
If the eight ball is pocketed on the break, or any other object ball is driven off the table, it will be spotted (or possibly reracked, if on the break). (See 6.3 Spotting Balls ) No other object ball is ever spotted.
A player wins if he legally pockets the eight ball after his
group has been cleared. A player loses if he
(a.) fouls when pocketing the eight ball;
(b.) pockets the eight ball before his group is cleared;
(c.) pockets the eight ball in an uncalled pocket; or
(d.) drives the eight ball off the table.
If a player commits a foul, play passes to his opponent. The cue ball is in hand, and the incoming player may place it anywhere on the playing surface. (See 6.4 Cue Ball in Hand ) The following are standard fouls at eight ball. See below for serious fouls.
7.1 Cue Ball Scratch or off the Table
7.2 Wrong Ball First
The first object ball contacted by the cue ball on each shot must
in the player's group or intended group, or if the group has been
cleared, the eight ball.
7.3 No Rail After Contact
7.4 No Foot on Floor
7.5 Ball Driven off the Table
Jumped object balls are spotted.
7.6 Touched Ball
7.7 Intentional Miscue
7.8 Double Hit
7.9 Push Shot
7.10 Balls Still Moving
7.11 Bad Cue Ball Placement
7.12 Bad Play from Balk
The following serious fouls are penalized by loss of the current rack.
Those listed under 2.7 Winning and Losing
7.14 Unsportsmanlike Conduct
The referee may choose a different penalty
depending on the nature of the offense.
If the referee decides that neither player is attempting to win from the current position, he will announce his decision, and each player will have three more turns at the table. Then, if the referee still feels that there is no progress towards a conclusion, he will declare the rack a stalemate and the original breaker of the rack will break again.
14.1 Continuous Pool is played with 15 numbered balls and the cue ball. Each ball pocketed on a legal called shot counts one point and the first player to reach the required score wins the game. 14.1 is continuous in that after 14 balls are pocketed, they are brought back onto the table and the shooter continues with a secondary break shot.
Players lag to determine who will shoot first. (See 6.1 Lagging to Determine Order of Play )
For an opening break shot, the 15 balls are racked in a triangle with the apex ball on the foot spot, the one ball on the right corner and the five ball on the left corner as seen by the racker. The other balls will be placed randomly in the diamond which means without purposeful or intentional pattern.
For secondary break shots, the apex ball is omitted if only 14 balls are being racked, and the order of the balls is random. The outline of the triangle will be marked on the table to assist players in deciding whether an intended break ball is in the rack area.
The opening break shot is the same as other shots except:
(a.) The cue ball begins in hand in
balk.
(b.) If no called ball is pocketed, the cue ball and two object
balls must each be
driven to a rail,
or the shot is a breaking foul.
This is penalized by subtracting two points from the breaker's
score.
(See
3.10 Breaking Foul at 14.1
)
The non-breaking player may accept the balls in position or may
require the breaker to play another opening break shot with the
balls reracked.
The shooter remains at the table as long as he continues to legally pocket called balls or wins the game by scoring the required number of points. When 14 balls from a rack have been legally pocketed, play is suspended until the referee has finished racking the balls for a secondary break, then the player continues shooting.
Shots must be called as explained in 6.6 Standard Call Shot . The shooter may call "safety" in which case play passes to the opponent at the end of the shot and any object ball pocketed on the safety is spotted.
All balls pocketed on fouls, or on safeties, or without a called ball having been pocketed, and all balls driven off the table are spotted. (See 6.3 Spotting Balls )
The shooter scores one point for making a legal called shot. Each additional ball pocketed on such a shot also counts one point. Fouls are penalized by subtracting the corresponding number of points from the fouler's score. Scores may be negative.
When the cue ball or 15th object ball interferes with racking 14 balls for a
new rack, the following special rules apply. A ball is considered to interfere
with the rack if it is within or overlaps the outline of the rack. The
referee will not say whether a ball interferes until it is time to rack.
(a.) If the 15th ball was pocketed on the shot that scored the 14th ball,
all 15 balls are racked.
(b.) If both balls interfere, all 15 balls are racked and the cue ball is in
hand in
balk.
(c.) If only the object ball interferes, it is placed on the head spot or the
center spot if the cue ball blocks the head spot.
(d.) If only the cue ball interferes, then it is placed as follows:
if the object ball is out of
balk,
the cue ball is in hand in balk;
if the object ball is in balk, the cue ball is spotted on the head spot, or
on the center spot if the head spot is blocked.
In any case, there is no restriction on which object ball the shooter may play as the first shot of the new rack.
If a player commits a standard foul, a point is subtracted from his score, balls are spotted as necessary, and play passes to his opponent. The cue ball remains in position except as noted. The following are standard fouls at 14.1:
7.1 Cue Ball Scratch or off the Table
The cue ball is in hand in
balk.
7.3 No Rail After Contact
7.4 No Foot on Floor
7.5 Ball Driven off the Table
All jumped object balls are spotted.
7.6 Touched Ball
7.7 Intentional Miscue
7.8 Double Hit
7.9 Push Shot
7.10 Balls Still Moving
7.11 Bad Cue Ball Placement
7.12 Bad Play from Balk
A breaking foul is penalized by the loss of two points as mentioned under 3.3 Opening Break Shot , as well as a possible rebreak. If both a standard foul and a breaking foul happen on one shot, it is considered a breaking foul.
The following serious fouls are penalized by the loss of 15 points, all 15 balls are racked, and the fouler is required to shoot an opening break shot. The fouler's consecutive foul count, if any, is reset to zero prior to the break shot.
7.13 Three Consecutive Fouls
Only standard fouls are counted, so a breaking foul does not
count as one of the three fouls. A point is subtracted for the
third foul as usual, and then the additional 15-point penalty is
subtracted.
7.14 Unsportsmanlike Conduct
The referee may choose a different penalty
depending on the nature of the offense.
The following PDF file for the rules of blackball has not yet been converted to the format of the rest of the rules here.
Rules of Blackball (PDF, 15kB)
A Handbook is also available:
Handbook for Blackball (PDF, 180kB)
one_pocket
The following General Rules apply to all the games covered by these rules except when contradicted by specific game rules.
The lag is the first shot of the match and determines order of play. The player who wins the lag chooses who will shoot first.
The referee will place a cue ball on each side of the table in balk and near the headstring. The players will shoot at about the same time to make each cue ball contact the foot cushion with the goal of returning the cue ball closer to the head rail than the opponent.
A lag shot is bad and cannot win if the cue ball
(a.) crosses the long string;
(b.) contacts the foot cushion other than once;
(c.) is pocketed or driven off the table;
(d.) touches the side cushion;
(e.) is struck after the other cue ball has reached the foot cushion.
In addition, a lag will be bad if any non-object-ball foul occurs
other than
7.10 Balls Still Moving
.
If the referee cannot determine which ball has stopped closer to the head cushion or both lags are bad, the players will lag again.
In general, players are not permitted to introduce novel equipment into the game. The following uses, among others, are considered normal. If the player is uncertain about a particular use of equipment, he should discuss it with the tournament management prior to the start of play.
(a.) Cue Stick -- The player is permitted to use his own cue stick and may switch between sticks during the match. He may position and place the cue stick in any way he chooses while lining up shots. He may use either a built-in extender or an add-on extender to increase the length of the stick.
(b.) Chalk -- The player may apply chalk to his tip to prevent miscues, and may use his own chalk, provided its color is compatible with the cloth.
(c.) Mechanical Bridges -- The player may use up to two mechanical bridges to support the cue stick during the shot. The configuration of the bridges is up to the player. He may use his own bridge if it is similar to standard bridges.
(d.) Gloves -- The player may use gloves to improve the grip and/or bridge hand function.
Balls are spotted (returned to play on the table) by placing them on the long string (long axis of the table) as close as possible to the foot spot and between the foot spot and the foot rail, without moving any interfering ball. If the spotted ball is not placed on the foot spot, it should be placed in contact (if possible) with the corresponding interfering ball. However, when the cue ball is next to the spotted ball, the spotted ball should not be placed in contact with the cue ball; a small separation must be maintained.
If all of the long string below the foot spot is blocked by other balls, the ball is spotted above the foot spot, and as close as possible to the foot spot.
If two or more balls are to be spotted, they will be spotted in ascending numerical order.
When the cue ball is in hand, for example after a foul, the referee will hand the cue ball to the player, and the player may place the cue ball anywhere on the playing surface ( 9.1 Parts of the Table ) and may continue to move the cue ball until he shoots. (See definition 9.2 Shot ) In some games and for most break shots, placement of the cue ball may be restricted to balk (the area above the head string) depending on the rules of the game, and then 7.11 Bad Cue Ball Placement and 7.12 Bad Play from Balk may apply.
(This rule applies to situations where both players are playing safe on an object ball near a cushion.) The first safety in a sequence of repeated safeties is one in which an object ball begins the shot within one ball diameter of a cushion, and that ball is driven to that cushion, and the only cushion contact in the shot is by that ball on that cushion, and no ball is pocketed. After a first such shot, a subsequent shot will be considered a repeated safety if it satisfies those requirements or if no ball contacts a cushion. If a second repeated safety is played, the referee will announce the fact and that each player is allowed one more such shot in a four-shot sequence. If four consecutive such shots are played, the object ball will be considered touching the cushion after the fourth shot of the sequence, and the referee will announce the condition, and rules 7.3 No Rail After Contact and 9.4 Driven to a Rail may apply. If any shot is played during the sequence of four shots that causes some other ball to contact a cushion or be pocketed, or the object ball moves to more than a ball diameter from the cushion, the sequence is broken, and the count returns to zero. After the four-shot sequence is completed, the object ball is considered to remain touching the cushion until a shot is played that would have ended the sequence.
The referee will indicate if asked whether a ball is within a ball diameter of a cushion.
In games in which the player is required to call shots, the intended ball and pocket must be indicated for each shot if they are not obvious. Details of the shot, such as cushions struck or other balls contacted or pocketed are irrelevant. Only one ball may be called on each shot.
For a called shot to count, the referee must be satisfied that the intended shot was made, so if there is any chance of confusion, as with bank and combination shots, the player should indicate the ball and pocket.
In call shot games, the player may choose to call "safety" instead of a ball and pocket, and then play passes to the opponent at the end of the shot. Whether balls spot after safeties depends on the rules of the particular game.
A ball may settle slightly after it appears to have stopped, possibly due to slight imperfections in the ball or the table. Unless this causes a ball to fall into a pocket, it is considered a normal hazard of play, and the ball will not be moved back. If a ball falls into a pocket as the result of such settling, it is replaced as close as possible to its original position. If a settling ball falls into a pocket during or just prior to a shot, and has an effect on the shot, the referee will restore the position and the shot will be replayed. Players are not penalized for shooting while a ball is settling. See also 9.3 Ball Pocketed
If the position of the balls in play is altered other than by a shot, for example by a player touching a ball or by outside interference, the referee will restore the position as closely as possible. If the shooter was not responsible for the alteration, he is not charged with a foul for the alteration. If the problem occurs during a shot, such that the position that would have resulted from the shot cannot be determined, the referee will decide the fairest way to procede.
If a player feels that the referee has made an error of fact, he may ask one time for the referee to reconsider his call or lack of call. He may not ask a second time for the referee to determine the facts of the situation, or he is guilty of unsportmanlike conduct. However, if the player feels that the referee is not applying the rules correctly, he may ask for determination by the tournament management. The referee will suspend play while this appeal is in process.
Fouls must be called promptly. If a foul is not called before the next shot begins, the foul is assumed not to have happened.
The following actions are fouls at pocket billiards when included in the specific rules of the game being played. If several fouls occur on one shot, only the most serious one is enforced.
If the cue ball is pocketed or driven off the table, the shot is foul. See: 9.3 Ball Pocketed and 9.5 Driven off the Table .
In those games which require the first object ball struck to be a particular ball or one of a group of balls, it is a foul for the cue ball to first contact some other ball.
If no ball is pocketed on a shot, the cue ball must contact an object ball, and after that contact, at least one ball (cue ball or object ball) must be driven to a rail, or the shot is foul. See 9.4 Driven to a Rail .
If the player does not have at least one foot touching the floor at the instant the tip contacts the cue ball, that shot is foul.
It is a foul to drive an object ball off the table. Whether that ball is spotted depends on the rules of the game. (See 9.5 Driven off the Table ) Such a ball is also referred to as a "jumped ball."
It is a foul to touch or move any object ball except by the normal ball-to-ball contacts during shots. It is a foul to touch or move the cue ball except when it is in hand or by the normal tip-to-ball contact of a shot. The player is responsible for the equipment he controls at the table, such as chalk, bridges, clothing, parts of his body, and the cue ball when it is in hand, that may be involved in such fouls. If such a foul is accidental, it is a standard foul, but if it is intentional, is it treated as unsportsmanlike conduct and will be penalized as a serious foul or more severely if the referee so chooses.
It is a foul to intentionally miscue.
If the cue stick contacts the cue ball more than once on a shot, the shot is a foul. If the cue ball is close to but not touching an object ball, and the cue tip is still on the cue ball when the cue ball contacts that object ball, the shot is a foul.
However, if the cue ball is touching an object ball at the start of the shot, it is legal to shoot towards or partly into that ball (provided it is a legal target within the rules of the game) and if the object ball is moved by such a shot, it is considered to have been contacted by the cue ball. (Even though it may be legal to shoot towards such a frozen ball, care must be taken not to violate the rules in the first paragraph if there are additional balls close by.)
The cue ball is assumed not to be touching any ball unless it is declared touching by the referee. If the cue ball is very close to an object ball, and the player shoots to barely graze that object ball, the shot is assumed not to violate the first paragraph of this rule, even though the tip is arguably still on the cue ball when ball-ball contact is made.
It is a foul to prolong tip-to-cue-ball contact beyond that seen in normal shots.
It is a foul to begin a shot while any ball in play is moving or spinning.
When the cue ball is in hand and restricted to balk, it is a foul to play the cue ball from on or below the headstring. If the player is uncertain whether the cue ball has been placed in balk, he may ask the referee for a determination.
When the cue ball is in hand in balk the following rules apply.
If the first ball the cue ball contacts is also in balk, the shot is foul unless the cue ball leaves balk before that contact. If such a shot is intentional, it is unsportsmanlike conduct.
The cue ball must either cross the headstring or contact a ball out of balk or the shot is a foul, and the cue ball is in hand for the following player according to the rules of the specific game.
If a player fouls three times without making an intervening legal shot, it is a serious foul. In games scored by the rack, such as nine ball, the fouls must be in a single rack. Some games such as eight ball do not include this rule.
The referee must warn the player when he has two fouls, or a third foul will be considered to be only the second.
The normal penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct is the same as for
a serious foul, but the referee may impose a more or less severe
penalty depending on his judgement of the conduct. Among other
penalties possible are
a warning;
a standard-foul penalty, which will count as part of a three-foul sequence if
applicable;
a serious-foul penalty;
loss of a rack, set or match;
ejection from the competition possibly with forfeiture of all
prizes, trophies and standings points.
Unsportsmanlike conduct is any intentional behavior which disrupts or changes the game to the extent that it cannot be played fairly. It includes
(a.) distracting the opponent;
(b.) changing the position of the balls in play other than by a shot;
(c.) continuing to play after a foul has been called or play has been
suspended;
(d.) accepting assistance in matters of play from someone other
than the referee or opponent;
(e.) practicing during a match;
(f.) marking the table;
(g.) delay of the game.
The referee will determine all matters of fact relating to the rules, maintain fair playing conditions, call fouls, and take other action as required by these rules.
The referee will suspend play when conditions do not permit fair play. Play will also be suspended when a call or ruling is being disputed.
The referee will announce fouls and other specific situations as required by the rules. He will answer questions as required by the rules on matters such as foul count and repeating safety count. He must not give advice on the application of the rules, the player's options in a given situation, or other points of play on which he is not required by the rules to speak.
He may assist the player by getting and replacing the mechanical bridge. If necessary for the shot, the referee or a deputy may hold the light fixture out of the way.
The following definitions apply throughout these rules.
The following definitions of parts of the table refer to the accompanying diagram.
The table is comprised of rails, cushions, a playing surface and pockets. The foot end of the table is where the object balls usually begin, while the head end is where the cue ball begins. Balk is the area between the head rail and the head string, not including the headstring.
The cushions, tops of the rails, pockets and pocket liners are parts of the rails.
On the playing surface, which is the flat, cloth-covered part of the table,
the following will be marked if they they are used
in the game being played:
The foot spot, where the foot string and the long string meet
The head spot, where the head string and the long string meet
The center spot, where the center string and the long string meet
The head string
The long string between the foot spot and the foot rail
The triangle, either in outline or by alignment marks depending on the game
A shot begins when the tip contacts the cue ball due to a forward motion of the cue stick. A shot ends when all balls in play have stopped moving and spinning.
A ball is pocketed if it comes to rest in a pocket below the playing surface or enters the ball return system. A ball near the brink of a pocket partly supported by another ball is considered pocketed if removal of the supporting ball would cause the ball to fall into the pocket.
If a ball stops near the brink of a pocket, and remains apparently motionless for five seconds, it is not considered pocketed if it later falls into the pocket by itself. See 6.7 Balls Settling for other details. During that five second period, the referee should ensure that no other shot is taken.
A ball is said to be driven to a rail if it is not touching the rail and then touches the rail. A ball touching a cushion at the start of a shot is not considered driven to that cushion unless it leaves the rail and returns. A ball that is driven off the table or is pocketed is also considered to have been driven to a rail.
A ball is considered driven off the table if it comes to rest other than on the playing surface but is not pocketed. A ball is also considered driven off the table if it would have been driven off the table except for striking an object such as a light fixture or a player which causes it to return to the table.
A shot is said to be legal if the player did not foul during the shot.
other_games
========================================== Nine ball is played with nine numbered object balls and a cue ball. The object balls are played in numerical order. The player who pockets the nine ball legally wins the game, and the winner of a match or set is the first player to win a specified number of games. I believe that use of the word "rack" to mean "game" is an Americanism, and I think that this usage would confuse many readers. Alan Salmon USA
========================================== Bill O - NY - & Fla "The player pocketing the nine ball ***wins the rack, and the winner of a match or set is the first player to win the specified number of racks." *****on any legal shot - just to clarify that it does not have to be the last ball pocketed [Fixed -- REJ]
========================================== Must it be that the winner breaks? I would like to see this decided by the tournament manager. Sometimes alternate breaks seems in order. If the distances are short you might see someone break, run and win in one inning. I don't think there's a single instance of this in the rest of the sporting world, that a player can lose without getting a chance. When a player breaks and runs all the racks I think the opponent should at least get a chance to try the same, i.e. to break and run the same number of racks. Hermund =C5rdalen Oslo, Norway
========================================== The winner usually breaks in 9-ball and 8-ball. I claim that, played like this, Pool is the only sports in the world where an opponent risk not getting the opportunity to compete, except when flipping the coin for the forst breakshot :-) Alternate breaks is used now and then, but have so far not been widely acknowledged. I propose that a new "breaking rule" is made part of the new rules (alternate breaks or at least making it possible for both players to try). SneakyPete
The phrase "without purposeful or intentional pattern" should be "without purposeful or intentional placement of any ball(s) except the 1 ball and the 9-ball". Pat Johnson Chicago
========================================== "randomly in the diamond which means without purposeful or intentional pattern. " Have you considered simply "There are no other restrictions." (beyond the one and the nine). Seems to me allowing intentional patterns is preferable to arguing about whether the racker had intent. (I'm anticipating non-refereed matches where a player racks). mike page fargo
========================================== I think that the wording "The other balls will be placed randomly in the diamond which means without purposeful or intentional pattern." is open to too much interpretation. I really think that something like "The other balls will be placed at the whim of the person racking." works better... Carter Adams
========================================== You write: "The other balls will be placed randomly in the diamond which means without purposeful or intentional pattern" With all the rack artists out there, it can be difficult to have this rule. Who can decide whether a well trained rack artist place the balls in a pattern or not? Certainly if he does it the whole match, you will be able to see the pattern and after a few racks do something about it. But if he does it e.g. in the last rack, what can you do? Christian
Add: "If no OTHER foul is committed on a pushout, THE SHOT IS LEGAL AND the other player chooses who will shoot next." Pat Johnson Chicago
Add: "Any ball pocketed on a push out remains down except the 9-ball, which is spotted." Pat Johnson Chicago
========================================== Definition of Legal Break No "push out" after scratch
========================================== "and so on." superfluous? [ Yes, fixed. -- REJ] mp f
========================================== Suggest you revise this as indicated. [Fixed about as indicated. -- REJ] 1.8 Serious Fouls at Nine Ball The following serious fouls are penalized as indicated.=20 7.13 Three Consecutive Fouls Penalty is loss of the current game. 7.14 Unsportsmanlike Conduct Penalty is loss of the current game, or = any other penalty the referee considers appropriate given the nature of = the offense. Alan Salmon
========================================== Sorry, didn't see reference to rule 6.6, maybe it should be referenced here... Carter Adams
========================================== Dave Alciatore Fort Collins, CO I see no mention of a safety shot (AKA "in and safe") in the 8-ball or general rules. Does that mean this is not allowed (i.e., the player that pockets an object ball must remain at the table)?
========================================== John Tonner, from Sydney, Australia "2 Rules of Eight Ball" - "Shots are called", would add link to "6.6 Standard Call Shot"
========================================== John Tonner, Sydney, Australia Rule 2.1 Determining First Break - stipulates that a lag must determine who breaks first. While I believe that this is a good thing, I would also recommend stipulating that specific tournaments/competitions can over ride this normal behaviour. I could see this being an issue in round robin comps where specific break order must be consistently applied throughout or even dare I say particular bar comps that choose by "tossing the coin". While I am a big supporter of the lag, if it is going to inhibit the mass uptake of the rules, then I don't think it is good.
========================================== I'd revise this as follows. The players lag to determine who breaks in the first game (see 6.1 Lagging To Determine Order of Play). The player who wins the lag breaks the first rack himself or requires that his opponent break the first rack. Each player breaks in alternate games. Alan Salmon
Change: "...without purposeful or intentional PLACEMENT OF ANY BALL(S)". Pat Johnson Chicago
========================================== Steve Ellis, Weymouth, MA. I think the requirement of randomness is unenforceable and even more importantly unneccessary. If the 8-ball and the corner ball rules are satisfied there really is not much to be gained by particular positioning of the other balls.
========================================== I'd consider revising this as follows. The 15 object balls are racked as tightly as possible and form an equilateral triangle. The apex ball is on the foot spot and the eight ball is the first ball directly behind the apex ball. One ball from each group of seven is placed at each lower corner of the triangle. The arrangement of the remaining object balls is determined by chance. [I delete the word "randomly" because many players misinterpret it. The sentence "The arrangement of the remaining object balls is determined by chance" could be used in the racking rule for 9 ball also, if you decide to prohibit tactical racking in 9 ball.] Alan Salmon
Combine (f) into (b) and change:: "(b) It is not required to call a ball; any ball pocketed without the commission of a foul continues the breaker's turn. However, if a ball is called and made, that group is assigned to the breaker. Otherwise, the table is open after the break even if one or more uncalled balls is made." Pat Johnson Chicago
========================================== Ray Fichthorn- North Carolina Modify (f) (f.) If the breaker pockets a ball and does not foul, he continues at the table. The table is considered "open" until a called ball is legally pocketed. OR add: (g) The table is considered "open" until a called ball is legally pocketed.
========================================== It might help to add that the table remains open after the break even if only balls from one group are made during the break. I know it follows from the next rule, but this is such a common "error" that some emphasis might be warranted. Jim
========================================== 2.3 Break Shot [Delete "The break shot is the same as other shots in eight ball except:"] (a.) The player who is to break has ball in hand in balk, and the break shot is played from balk. (b.) No ball is called, and the cue ball is not required to hit any particular object ball first. (c.) If the eight ball is pocketed or driven off the table, it is spotted and the shot neither wins nor loses the game. Pocketing the eight on the break is not a foul. (d.) At least four object balls must be driven to one or more rails if no ball is pocketed. Failure to meet this requirement is a foul. (e.) If the breaker fouls in any way, the following player may choose one of three options: to take the balls in position; to require the breaker to rebreak; or to rebreak himself. He may take the cue ball in hand in balk if he chooses to take the balls in position. (f.) If the breaker pockets a ball and does not foul, his innings continue. Alan Salmon [Partly adopted. -- REJ]
========================================== I think explicitly stating that the eight-ball cannot be used as the first ball of a combination here might avoid some confusion, as in " The shot is then governed by all rules that apply after groups are determined, such as not being allowed to use the eight as the first ball of a combination.", or whatever. Jim
========================================== Dave Alciatore Fort Collins, CO "Before groups are determined, the table is said to be "open," and before each shot, the player must call his intended group. The shot is then governed by all rules that apply after groups are determined." Does this mean that when the table is "open," a player can't hit a stripe first to pocket a solid?
==========================================
John Tonner, Sydney, Australia.
2.4 Choosing Groups and Continuing Play
Before groups are determined, the table is said to be "open,"
and before each shot, the player must call his intended
group. The shot is then governed by all rules that apply
after groups are determined. If the player legally pockets
his called ball, the intended group becomes his, and his
opponent is assigned the other group. If he fails to pocket
his called ball, the table remains open and play passes to
the other player.
If my interpretation of this is correct, the new rule asks us to call a ball
and pocket (which would then implicitly nominates a group of balls?), and
then the shot must be played as though we are already established as that
group. So if I call a solid, I could no longer initially contact a stripe to
combo the solid in???
I can understand where you are coming from if this is indeed the intention
of the rule (which was the only way I could interpret it as), it seems you
are trying to make the game rules more consistent from shot to shot
throughout the game. However, I feel that this intention is not true to the
concept of "open table". As an avid follower of 8 ball I know that the
initial "open table" shot is usually one of the most dynamic and creative
shots in the game. When used to the full advantage, it can clear a severe
trouble zone (which is usually around the rack cluster) that could not be
approached in another way and set up a road map for the rest of the game.
With this in mind it would seem to me that disallowing this advantage of the
"open table" shot would leave more severe problem clusters on the table,
thus forcing a more safety oriented game, and loosing a spectacular
offensive aspect.
[Since you appear to want to simplify the rules and I doubt you want to
make 8 ball more safety oriented than it already is, I would recommend going
the other way with this rule, and say that it is simply ok to initially
contact hit ANY ball initially during open table to pocket your called shot,
even the 8 ball. I believe this would adds to the constancy and simplicity
that you are looking for without eliminating this spectacular shot.]
========================================== "If the eight ball is pocketed on the break, or any other object ball is driven off the table, it will be spotted (or possibly reracked, if on the break). (See 6.3 Spotting Balls ) No other object ball is ever spotted." is confusing to me. I think it should be "If the eight ball is pocketed on the break, or is driven off the table, it will be spotted (or possibly reracked). (See 6.3 Spotting Balls ) No other object ball is ever spotted." Carter Adams
========================================== Dave Alciatore, Fort Collins, CO "A player wins if he legally pockets the eight ball after his group has been cleared." Does this prohibit a player from calling the 8-ball on the same shot of the last group ball, provided the last group ball goes in first?
========================================== Kevin Sullivan, Hiratsuka Japan. Could you explain why/where the placements of the one ball in the right corner and five ball on the left corners have any significance?
========================================== must make cushion contact or the shot should be must be driven to a rail (reference) [ Fixed. -- REJ ]
========================================== From: Roger Morgan (Belgium) What about the situation where the called ball is not pocketed but other balls are? This is neither a foul nor a safety is it not? [Fixed. -- REJ]
==========================================
Richard Svela, Arendal, Norway
In part (d) it should be more clear that it is allowed to shoot
on the object ball when it is in balk and the cue ball is spotted
on the head spot.
I don't think:
"In any case, there is no restriction on which object ball
the shooter may play as the first shot of the new rack."
is clear enough on this part. Everytime I come in this possition
I have to argue a lot to get allowed to shoot on the object ball,
even in bigger tournament in Norway, this seems to be very
unclear.
In part (c): Many years ago it was a rule said that if the last
object ball was spotted on the footspot, all 15 balls should be
racked. Is it any way that this could come in the rules that
this is not the rules any more?
This is not a big issue. Part (c) is ok like it is, but it could
maybe be more clear.
========================================== Tom Sunde - Bergen, NORWAY * Has the "frozen ball" rule in straight pool been removed or simply forgotten? (The one stating that an object ball frozen to or closer than half the width of a ball, can only be driven to the same rail twice. On the third consecutive attempt by the same player, either the cueball, or the object ball (or another object ball completely) must be sent to another rail, to avoid penalty. * and the even more obscure rule, that when in fact a ball is "frozen" (as defined previously) the same thing has to be accomplished on the first inning, if the player is already on a foul.
========================================== From: Roger Morgan (Belgium) What about the situation where the cue ball doesn't make contact at all with any other ball? [Reworded. -- REJ]
========================================== I think there should be some provision for "adjusting" the number of points subtracted after the third consecutive foul in 14.1. Taking off 15 in a game to 150 is much less a penalty than taking of 15 in a race to 75. I understand these rules are aimed at "refereed, championship play," but the fact is that a huge percentage of games of all types are not of this class. Therefore, if I only have time to race to 100, would it not be reasonable to subtract, say, 10% of the winning score (10 balls) rather than 15? [This was tried around 1985, with a 20% penalty, as I recall. It was felt to be a mistake and changed back to the traditional penalty. -- REJ]
========================================== John Tonner, Sydney, Australia Rule 6.2 Permitted Use of Equipment - I am concerned that you only specify certain device rather than the job which they perform. For instance, if I am out and don't have my own cue and equipment, sometimes I will use a folded handkerchief as a substitute for a glove. Basically it does the same thing as a glove, but it isn't a glove. So should the rule be that you can use a (non mechanical) devices that assists of the free gliding of the cue in the bridge hand, rather than listing specific allowable items, which could change in many circumstances. I also notice that talcum power isn't on the list, and while I personally don't like the use of it, I know many do. Also what about things like tip tappers, etc?
========================================== Why are no more than two rests (mechanical bridges) allowed? Somethimes three might be required, especially if the available rests are all of the lower type. Hermund =C5rdalen, Oslo, Norway
========================================== From: Roger Morgan (Belgium) I think the issue of spotted balls being placed in contact with interfering balls could be a bit clearer. It's not mentioned until *after* the sentence dealing with the situation where the the long string section below the foot spot is blocked by other balls. I think it could also be reffered to in the last sentence concerning the spotting of multiple balls. [Reworded. -- REJ]
========================================== Should read "If two or more balls are to be spotted, they will be spotted in numerical ascending order. " [ Fixed -- REJ ]
========================================== John Tonner, Sydney, Australia Rule 6.5 Repeated Safeties - this rule has historically applied only to 14.1. Are you now applying it across all games?? If not, I could not find where it was stipulated what games it applies to.
========================================== From: Roger Morgan (Belgium) Maybe it's just me but the terminology "repeated safety" applied to the first such stroke seems confusing. [Rewording attempted. -- REJ]
========================================== Dave Alciatore Fort Collins, CO What if an object ball stops on the edge of a pocket and falls in a short period later. Is there a specified duration under which this would count as a pot? The way the rule is written, it seems to me that if a ball trickles in even a fraction of a second after "stopping," the pot does not count (and the opponent would have ball in hand if nothing hit a rail). Is that the case?
========================================== Dave Alciatore, Fort Collins, CO Maybe you should add a reference to Section 9.3 in Section 6.7, so Section 6.7 won't be misinterpreted.
========================================== John Tonner, Sydney, Australia Rule 6.8 Altered Position - "If the shooter was not responsible for the alteration, he is not charged with a foul for the alteration. If the problem occurs during a shot, such that the position that would have resulted from the shot cannot be determined, the referee will decide the fairest way to proceed". I am concerned with the wording of the last bit "the referee will decide the fairest way to proceed", I feel it should at least have the recommendation of a replay of the rack, and the fact that the referee could be a player would disturb me a bit (even though it could be appealed to the TD).
========================================== John Tonner, Sydney, Australia "6.9 Prompting Calls and Protesting Rulings" - would add a link to "7.14 Unsportsmanlike Conduct - (c.) continuing to play after a foul has been called or play has been suspended"
========================================== In those games which require the first object ball struck to be a particular ball or one of a group of balls, it is a foul for the cue ball to first contact some other ball. I'd use the wording (another ball) instead of some other. Rod Elliott Phx, AZ
========================================== Steve W. Campana You might want to indicate the after contact either the cue ball or an object ball must be driven to a rail. It appears that as presently worded a question may come up as to whether the cue ball counts as a ball driven to a rail.
========================================== I think it should be made clear that either an object ball or the cue ball needs to hit a rail after contact. The present words "driven to" in my mind implies an object ball that has received its impetous from the cue ball. Don Baker [ Fixed -- REJ]
========================================== Dave Alciatore Fort Collins, CO Concerning terminology, maybe "Jumped Ball" should be "Balls Driven off the Table" instead. Also, where are illegal "jump shots" explicity prohibited? In other words, what prevents someone from scooping under the cue ball to lift it off the table? As can be seen in HSV A.1 "illegal jump shots" are not always miscues (although they often are), and it is very difficult to tell whether or not it is a miscue without a high-speed camera.
========================================== How about catching a scratching cue ball? At 14.1 a player may find it beneficial to incur a rebreak instead of letting his opponent shoot at an open rack with ball in hand. (from the Billiards Digest discussion forum)
========================================== Dave Alciatore, Fort Collins, CO Maybe you can provide some examples here so the rule will be more clear.
Ray Fichthorn- North Carolinna (b.) changing the position of the balls in play other than by a (legal) shot Or (reasonable) attempt at a legal shot; (d.) accepting assistance in matters of play from someone other than the referee or opponent (during your inning at the table);
========================================== Tom Sunde - Bergen, NORWAY * What is regarded "part of the playing surface" and what is not? Is it for instance a legal shot if the cueball (or any other ball) jumps the playing surface and bumps onto the cushion and back onto the table again, or bumps onto the rail, or via the lamp (maybe hits a chalk on its way?) and comes back to the table. Can't find anything regarding this. * And what about using the pocket itself as playing area? I'll explain what I mean with a real life example: I played a guy a round of 8-ball, on a Brunswick table with pockets where the balls reside in the cup after being putted. He had sunk his balls and only needed the 8-ball which was laying just outside the corner pocket. It was my turn at the table. I looked inside the pocket which was almost full (4 or 5 of his balls were pocketed there) and smashed the 8-ball straight into the pocket, and due to the "full pocket" the 8-ball returned to the table. Fortunately for me it actually came to rest between to of my object balls, and couldn't be putted directly even though he of course got ball in hand. I have never seen any rules anywhere regarding emptying the pockets, but have often seen people move pocketed balls from one pocket to another to AVOID balls returning to the table when pocketed. I understand that this is not an everyday problem in pool halls, but all things should be covered, right?
========================================== Add some more long string above the foot spot for games that spot a lot of balls. (Anon.)Comments on 9.4 Driven to a Rail
========================================== "A ball driven to a rail if it is not touching the rail and then touches the rail. A ball touching a cushion at the start of a shot is not considered driven to that cushion unless it leaves the cushion and returns." Or contacts another rail? Rod
========================================== sentence one appears to not be a sentence. -- dfl [It now. -- REJ]Comments on 9.5 Driven off the Table
Doesn't "off the table" also means having contact with fixtures that are no part of the table (lamps, cue, rack, ...) and returning to the playing surface? [ Fixed -- REJ ]