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World Eight Ball
Pool Federation Rules
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A.
The Spirit of the Game |
| 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 |
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 |
- 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 - see "Loss
of Frame").
- 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 |
- 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 |
- "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.
{see(K) Standard Fouls (21)}.
- 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 |
- 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.
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- 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 |
- 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.
(see (F) The Break)
- When playing
out of a Total Snooker a player is only obliged
to meet the conditions of (1)(a) above. (see
(Q) Total Snookers).
- 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 |
- 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.
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- 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 |
- 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 |
| 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 |
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 -
see (F) The Break (4)(c)(1)}.
The incoming player plays from Baulk {see
(E) Playing from Baulk (d)(1)}.
- Playing from
outside Baulk when obliged to play from Baulk.
{see (E) Playing from Baulk (2)(a)}
- 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. {see(C)
Definitions (9) - Player in Control.}
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.
{see (I) Time Allowed (5)}
- Playing a shot
after neglecting to nominate a choice of Colour when
the obligation and right to do so existed. {see
(H) Deciding Colours (1)(e)}
- Playing a push
shot or Double Hit of a type defined in
(O) Push Shots and Double Hits.
- Failing to perform
a "Legal Shot". {see (G) 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. {see
(T) Touching Balls (1)(a)}.
- A ball remaining
off the table. {see (U) Balls Off
the Table}
- Players body or
clothing touching any ball
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L.
Non-Standard Foul |
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. {see (F) The Break
(4)(a)&(b)}
- Failure to play a
shot within 60 seconds of the time that the balls
came to rest from the previous shot. {see
(I) Time Allowed (4)}.
- Potting the Cue
Ball on a Fair Break. {see (F)
The Break (4)(c)(1)}
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M.
Serious Standard Fouls |
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.)
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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 |
- 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.
{see (T) Touching Balls}
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P.
Snookers |
- 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 |
- 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 |
- 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 }
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-
- 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
(E) Playing from Baulk (2)(d)
&(2)(e) 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:-
- If neither the
Eight Ball or the nominated ball is potted, the
player's first visit is complete.
- If the
nominated ball is potted and the Eight Ball is
not, the player continues with the first visit.
- If the
nominated ball and the Eight Ball are potted,
the player wins the frame.
- 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 |
| 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 |
- 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 |
- 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:-
- Eight Ball
then
- Red Balls
in any order (or balls numbered 1 to 7 in
numerical order) then
- 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 |
- 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 |
- 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.
{see (K) Standard Fouls (9)}
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X.
Impossible Shot |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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".
-
- The Referee
will call fouls as soon as they occur.
- 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".
- 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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