1. The Game

The game shall be known as 8 Ball Pool and referred to in these rules as “The Game”. It is intended that players and teams should play 8 Ball Pool in the true spirit of the game and in a sportsmanlike manner. It should be clearly understood that the referee is the sole judge of what is fair and unfair play. The referee will take whatever action is necessary to ensure that these rules are observed.

2. Requirements of the Game

The game is played on a rectangular 6-pocket table with 1 White cue ball and 15 object balls which consist of 7 Yellows, 7 Reds and 1 solid colour black.

3. Object of the Game

The player or team pocketing all their group of object balls in any order, and then legally pocketing the 8-ball, wins the game.

4. Commencement of the Game

A. The balls are racked with the 8 ball (black) on the 8 ball spot, at the intersection of the centre and corner pockets (As below). The baulk line should be 20% of the table length from the bottom cushion.

B. Order of play is determined by the flip of a coin. The winner of the flip has the option of breaking, or requesting their opponent to do so.

C. The opening player plays at the triangle of object balls by striking the cue ball from any position on, or behind, the baulk line. An object ball must be pocketed, or at least FOUR object balls hit any cushion. (Rule 6T)

D. If the 8 ball (black) is pocketed from the break shot, the balls will be re-racked and the game will be restarted by the same player. No penalty will be incurred. This applies even if other balls, including the cue ball, are pocketed, or leave the playing surface (“off the table”).

E. Deciding Colours

• (1) General
  • (a) 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.
  • (b) Colours can never be decided on a foul shot.
  • (c) 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.
  • (d) 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.

• (2) On the Break
  • (a) If no Colours are potted on the break the table is “Open”.
  • (b) 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 Foul. If a player is fouled under this rule the opponent faces an “Open” table.
  • (c)
    • (i) If the player nominates a Colour that was potted on the break, the player is on that colour no matter what happens next.
    • (ii) 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.

• (3) After the Break, on an ‘open’ table
  • (a) If a player pots one or more balls of the same Colour, the player is then “On” that Colour.
  • (b) 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. Once a colour is nominated in these circumstances, the player is on that colour no matter what happens next. Failure to nominate is a Foul. If a player is fouled under this rule, the opponent faces an “Open” table.

F. 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.

G. If a foul is committed, (other than as in rule 4(D)), and one or more object balls are pocketed before playing groups are decided, then those balls are ignored in determining the groups to be played. The oncoming player may play at any ball on the table, including the 8 ball (black) for the first shot, the first legal pot to determine the group as in rule 4(E).

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

• 1. Fails to pocket one of their own set of allocated balls, or;
• 2. Commits a foul at any time.

I. Combination shots are allowed, providing the player hits one of their own group first, or any ball with the first shot following any foul (see rule 7(C))

5. Time Allowed

A. A player has a maximum of sixty seconds to play each shot.

B. The referee will start timing when all balls have come to rest from the previous shot.

C. 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

D. If a shot is not played within sixty seconds it is a Foul. The incoming player is awarded two visits from :-(a) Where the cue ball lies, or, if the player wishes (b) From Baulk.

E. The referee may decide to grant “Time Out”, being a period when timing ceases:- (a) at the request of a player, (For example, something is obstructing the player) and/or (b) Because the referee deems that it is warranted, (For example, the referee may call time out when making a close total decision or when searching for a piece of equipment requested by the player.)

F. When the referee has racked the balls the referee will call  “Time Running”. The oncoming player then must play the break shot within sixty seconds.

6. Fouls

A. In off (cue ball pocketed).

B. 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.

C. Failing to hit any ball with the cue ball, except where rule 9(a) applies.

D. Jump shot – defined as when the cue ball jumps over any part of any ball before making contact with any ball.

E. 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.

F. Potting any opponent’s ball, except with the first shot following any foul.

G. Ball off the table. Any object ball or the 8 ball (black), shall be returned to the 8 ball spot (see rule 4(A)), or as near as possible to that spot without touching any other ball, in direct line between that spot and the centre of the baulk line.

1. If the cue ball, then the cue ball played from in hand (see rule 9(B) general).
2. A ball shall be deemed “off the table” if it comes to rest anywhere other than on the bed of the table.

H. 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 in hand (see rule 7(B)).

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

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

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

L. Playing out of turn.

M. Playing before all balls have come to rest.

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

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

P. Playing a shot after neglecting to nominate a choice of colour when the obligation and right to do so existed. {see 4(E) Deciding colours (1)(D)}

Q. Failure to play a shot within 60 seconds of the time that the balls came to rest from the previous
shot. {see (5) Time Allowed (D)}

R. 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 its forward motion.

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

T. Foul break, failing to pot an object ball or drive at least four object balls to hit any cushions, balls to be re-racked opponent to break with two visits.

U. Use of a mobile phone by a participating player during a frame

V. Coaching: During a frame, a player is required to play without receiving any advice from other persons relating to the playing of the frame. If a team member or bona fide supporter of a player offers advice, the referee will issue a First and final warning to that person that a repetition will result in the player being penalized 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 because 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.

W. Falling to play a legal shot i.e Cause the Cue Ball’s initial contact with a ball to be with the object ball, 

• A. An object ball must either be potted or hit a cushion after the cue balls first contact with the object ball. If you play the cue ball off a cushion behind the object ball THEN the object ball or any other ball must hit a cushion AFTER contact.
• B. In escaping from a snooker a player need only cause the cue ball to contact an object ball. It is NOT necessary to pot a ball OR to cause any ball to hit a cushion AFTER contact
  Players should ensure that the referee is asked and agrees when a snooker applies otherwise a ‘ FOUL’ will be called.
  
  • Players should ensure that the referee is asked and agrees when a snooker applies otherwise a ‘ FOUL’ will be called.
  • If a player can see the very edge of the object ball it is not a snooker and (A) above applies.
• C. Touching a Cushion
  • Hitting an object ball which is touching a cushion into the same cushion does not count as having hit a cushion unless the object ball or any other ball is legally potted or the object ball or any other ball hits any other cushion.
  • If the referee does not call “ball is touching cushion” it is assumed to be “not touching”.

7. Penalty following any foul

A. Following any foul the offending player loses their next visit to the table, giving their opponent two consecutive visits to the table. Except where 6A occurs on the break, where the penalty will be one visit only.

B. If the cue ball has come to rest on the playing surface, then the player having two visits may proceed to play from where the cue ball lies, or the cue ball may be played from any position on or behind the baulk line. Moving the cue ball in this manner does not count as a shot, or visit. (Players are advised to ask the referee to hand them the cue ball).

C. On the first shot only of the first visit, the oncoming 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), and 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. When 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.

8. Loss of Game

A. If a player pockets the 8 ball (black) before all the balls in their own group, except on the break (see rule 4(D)), the player loses the game.

B. A player going in off the 8 ball (black) when the 8 ball (black) is pocketed loses the game.

C. 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.

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

E. Player (or players partner in doubles/triples) breaking down, or putting away, cue (this does not apply to putting away a breaking cue).

9. General

• A: Touching ball.
  • A player must play away from ‘touching balls and fulfil the requirements of a ‘legal shot’. A player shall not be penalised If playing away from touching ball(s) causes any touching ball to rock or move slightly because it was ‘resting’ on the cue ball.
• B. Cue ball in hand. When a player has the cue ball in hand, the ball is played from any position on, or behind, the baulk line, and in any direction.
• C. Player in control
  • A player is said to be in control of the table from the time their body, cue, or clothing touches the table prior to their shot, throughout the visit, and up until the opponent does likewise prior to their visit. Any ball(s) which fall into pockets during this period, (including the 8 ball (black)), will benefit or penalize the player in control as appropriate.
• D. 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 (see rule 4(D)).

10. Stalemate

1. Should any situation arise whereby a legal shot is IMPOSSIBLE to play, then the game shall be restarted by the player who started that frame, whether this situation has been arrived at by accident or design.
2. 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