RULES OF the game

1. BREAK

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The opening player plays at the triangle of object balls by striking the cue ball from any position on, or behind, the baulk line.

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• An object ball must be pocketed, or at least TWO object balls hit any cushion. Failure to do so is a foul break, the incoming player then has a choice.

  • The balls can be re-racked as per rule sheet and cue ball returned to baulk area. The game is re-started with incoming player having two visits.

  • Play the balls from where the balls lay.

  • Ask the referee to move the cue ball to the baulk area and play the balls from where they lay with two visits.

 

• From the Break, if a player legally pockets an object ball the player must nominate either Red or Yellow.

  • Should the player choose to stay on the same-coloured balls as pocketed then this is the chosen colour.

  • If the player chooses to switch colours, then a ball of the nominated colour must be pocketed for the colours to be decided. Failure to pot the switched colour results in a free table and the incoming player may decide and must nominate their chosen colour

  • If the player pockets a ball of each colour, then the player can nominate Red or Yellow to determine the colour they wish to play, Failure to pot the nominated colour results in a free table and the incoming player may decide and must nominate their chosen colour

 

• Foul Break.

  • White ball down the pocket results in 1 shot penalty

  • White ball comes to rest off the bed of the table results in 2 shot penalty awarded.

 

1. OPEN PLAY

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On the first occasion a player legally pockets an object ball, including following a foul, then that ball denotes their group, unless one or more of both groups are pocketed, the player MUST then nominate a group before play continues.

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• If no object ball is pocketed from a legal break, then the players continue alternatively playing at either group until such a time as a legal pot is made, which decides the player's group.

  • If a ball, or balls, are legally pocketed, this entitles the player to one additional shot and this continues until the player either:

    • Fails to pocket one of their own sets of allocated balls

    • Commits a foul at any time.

    • Combination shots are allowed up to a ball being potted

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1. FOULS

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Fouls occur when the white ball doesn’t strike another ball, hits a ball not of you group or potting the incorrect colour.

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• In off (cue ball pocketed)

• Hitting an opponent’s ball(s) with the cue ball on first impact of the cue ball, except with the first shot following any foul.

• Failing to hit any ball with the cue ball

• Jump shot - defined as when the cue ball jumps over any part of any ball before contacting any ball, that would have been contacted, should a jump shot not have occurred. Whether this be accidental or not.

• Hitting the 8 ball (black) with the cue ball on first impact of the cue ball before all their own group are pocketed, except with the first shot following any foul.

• Potting any opponent's ball, except with the first shot following any foul.

• Ball off the table.

  • Any object ball or the 8 ball (black), shall be returned to the 8-ball spot See rule or as near as possible to that spot without touching any other ball, in direct line between that spot and the centre of the string line. In the order or red, yellow from the black spot.

  • If the cue ball, then the cue ball played from behind the baulk line.

  • A ball shall be deemed "off the table" if it comes to rest anywhere other than on the bed of the table.

• If a player's body or clothing should touch any ball. Except the cue ball after the referee calls a "foul", when the player is entitled to the cue ball being placed behind the baulk line. This is to be moved by the referee.

• Player not having at least part of one foot on the floor

• Playing or touching with the cue any ball other than the cue ball.

• Striking the cue ball with any part of the cue other than the tip.

• Playing out of turn.

• Playing before all balls have come to rest.

• Playing before any ball(s) require re-spotting.

• Striking the cue ball with the cue more than once.

  • Push shot - defined as where the cue tip remains in contact with the cue ball for more than the momentary time commensurate with a normal stroked shot, or the cue tip remains in contact with the cue ball once it has commenced it's forward motion.

• Failing to nominate when balls of both groups are pocketed with the first legal pot.

• Foul break, failing to pot an object ball or drive at least two object balls to hit any cushions.

 

1. PENALTY FOLLOWING ANY FOUL

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Following any foul the offending player loses their next visit to the table, giving their opponent two consecutive visits to the table

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• If the cue ball has come to rest on the playing surface.

  • Option One – Play from the current resting position and play two visits.

  • Ask the referee to move the ball behind the baulk line and play two visits.

  • On the first visit, the incoming player may, without nomination, play the cue ball on to any ball without penalty, including any opponent's ball(s), or 8 ball (black). If any object ball(s) is pocketed directly, or by combination, the player is deemed to have pocketed a legal ball(s), continues with the first visit. However, the player must not pot the 8 ball (black), which would mean loss of game. Except if the player is on the 8 ball (black), then the game would be won.

  • Second visit, if the player fails to pot a ball on the first or subsequent shot of the first visit, play then continues with the second visit. The second visit is deemed to have started when the cue ball is struck on the first shot of the second visit.

 

1. LOSS OF GAME

 

• If a player pockets the 8 ball (black) before all the balls in their own group, except on the initial break.

  • White ball going in off the 8 ball (black) when the 8 ball (black) is pocketed, loses the game.

  • A player pocketing the 8 ball (black) and any other ball on the same shot will lose the game. Except following a foul when only the 8 ball (black) and ball(s) of the opponents’ group are on the table, then with the first shot of the first visit, the player may legally pocket the 8 ball (black) as well as ball(s) of the opponent's group by any combination and in any order.

  • A player who clearly fails to make any attempt to play a ball of their own group will lose the game.

 

1. GENERAL

 

• Touching ball

  • Touching opponent's ball or 8 ball (black), the player MUST play a ball of their own group. Except on the first shot of the first visit following any foul, this entitles the player to any ball.

  • Touching any ball, the player is legally entitled to play. The player may choose either. a. Play away from the touching ball and be deemed to have played that ball. Should the cue ball fail to contact any ball, or strike the opponents ball, or 8 ball (black), then the shot is fair, no foul.

  • Play to move the touching ball, but great care should be taken not to play a push shot

  • Ball/Balls being potted without contact: 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 will be incurred.

  • Completion of game

    • The game is completed when the 8 ball (black) is pocketed legally in any pocket, and all the remaining balls have come to rest, except on the break.

    • The opposition fouls by potting the black ball out of turn

    • Golden Break, this is when the black ball is potted from the break

  •  STALEMATE  Should any situation arise whereby a legal shot is IMPOSSIBLE to play (the players ability is not considered when making this decision) then the game shall be restarted by the  player who started that frame, whether this situation has been arrived at by accident or design. If in the opinion of the referee neither player is allowing the game to progress, or a stalemate situation has arisen, then the game shall be restarted by the player who started that frame. The referee shall not allow numerous visits with neither player making any attempt to make the opening pot which decides the playing groups (unless it is felt that progress is being made). If the player who started that frame did so by virtue of their opponent making a foul break, that player will break on any restart, not the opponent who made the foul break.