Good sportsmanship lies at the heart of any endeavor involving competition.

In many games of pocket billiards, players meet on the table in a contest that takes place in an environment that is unique in sports in one significant aspect - players are often required to tell each other exactly what is about to happen and what their intentions are before they act.

Far too many disputes involve nothing more than whether or not a safety was declared or which pocket or ball was called. We encourage you to dedicate yourself to open, friendly and polite communication during your match.

Do not let personality conflicts affect your efforts at communication. It does not matter how you feel about your opponent – you must always commit yourself to open and civil conversation and communication during your match.

Good communication is simply good sportsmanship, which is required of all players. Please practice it faithfully and consistently. It will make the game more enjoyable for all of us.

You are responsible for your actions at all times while you are present at the event venue, whether playing or not.

You must not commit any act that is unsportsmanlike in nature.

This includes, but is not limited to: actions that are embarrassing, disruptive, or detrimental to other players, spectators, referees, event officials, or the sport in general, or any act that makes a travesty of the game.

A foul with a specified progression of penalties may have a more serious penalty applied early in the progression if it is committed willfully or in an unsportsmanlike manner, or if it is committed intentionally in consecutive matches.

1. You are responsible for knowing the rules, applied rulings, regulations, and schedules that pertain to any event you enter. You are also responsible for cooperating with all referees and event officials, and for accurately providing all requested information concerning your participation in the event to referees and event officials when asked to do so.

2. Event officials and referees will provide information as required by the rules to the best of their ability and knowledge.

However, Rule 1 takes precedence and the ultimate responsibility for knowing the correct information still rests with you. You may still incur penalties if you commit a foul or violate the rules as a result of incorrect information provided to you by an event official or referee.

Remember that your opponent has the right to know what you are doing while you are at the table. If you do not want to stop and answer questions, you can prevent that by COMMUNICATING freely and CLEARLY.

1. When you are at the table, pay attention to how your shot appears.
If you think there is a chance that your opponent might not understand your intentions,
PLEASE CALL THE SHOT.

2. When you do call shots, please do so CLEARLY.
It is preferable to face your opponent and make eye contact.
If you do call a shot by gesture, make a clear and definite motion indicating
both BALL AND POCKET.

3. When playing call shot games, remember that shots defined as not obvious, and safeties, must be explicitly called. There are no exceptions under any circumstances, regardless of how simple or obvious the shot may appear. There may be other types of shots that must be called as well, depending on the circumstances. Also, please be sure to COMMUNICATE CLEARLY with your opponent when playing a safety.

When you are not shooting (in the chair), you should pay attention to the game and to your opponent. As the person in the chair, you must remember that while you have the right to know what the shooter is attempting, but you CANNOT interrupt them after they are down on a shot.

If your opponent is telling you what they intend to do, listen carefully and clearly ACKNOWLEDGE that you understand.

If you do not understand, get CLARIFICATION. - COMMUNICATION is a two way street!

In the event of a dispute over whether a shot or safety was properly called, the referee is the sole judge.

1. Once your match begins, you accept all provided equipment as standard and legal. After a match has begun, only a referee or event official may declare the equipment defective or unsuitable for play. If the equipment is declared unsuitable for play, all games previously played on that equipment will be counted.

2. During a match, it is a FOUL if you attempt to modify provided equipment without the permission of a referee or event official. The FOUL occurs immediately upon the attempt, regardless of whether a stroke or shot is attempted.

CSI reserves the right to prohibit any equipment it deems untested or inappropriate, or that has not been evaluated by the CSI National Office.

CSI reserves the right to prohibit any equipment it deems untested or inappropriate, or that has not been evaluated by the CSI National Office.

1. You are responsible for all equipment and accessory items you bring to the table. You may not use equipment or accessory items in a manner other than their intended use.
Specifically:
a. You may use a billiards glove.
b. You may use either a built-in or an add-on cue extender.
c. You may use your own chalk provided that it closely matches the color of the cloth.
Penalty for (c): first offense – warning. Second and subsequent offenses – FOUL.

Instances have been documented in which chalk that appears to closely match the color of the cloth actually appears as a contrasting color when it comes off on the cloth. Chalk proven to cause this problem may be prohibited despite the initial appearance of compatibility.

CSI reserves the right to prohibit any equipment it deems untested or inappropriate, or that has not been evaluated by the CSI National Office.

You may not shoot while using more than two mechanical bridges at any one time.

A bridge may only be used to support the cue or another bridge.

If two bridges are used, the upper bridge must rest on the head of the lower bridge.

You may not shoot while using any item to support or elevate your bridge hand. You may hold chalk in your bridge hand while bridging, but the chalk may not be used to elevate your hand off the table.

FOUL upon execution of the shot.
If no shot is executed then there is no foul.

You may use your cue, held in your hand or not, to help align a shot.

You may use your cue and hands to measure angles and distances for bank shots and kick shots.

NO OTHER CUES, BRIDGES OR EQUIPMENT MAY BE USED.

You may only use your vision to judge whether the cue ball or an object ball would fit through a gap, or to judge what ball the cue ball would contact first.

YOU MAY NOT USE ANY BALL, CUE, RACK, CHALK CUBE, OR ANY OTHER EQUIPMENT OR OTHER PART OF YOUR BODY AS A WIDTH-MEASURING DEVICE.

FOUL immediately upon the violation, REGARDLESS of whether a shot is executed.

You may not wear any electronic headgear, use any electronic device, or voluntarily impede your hearing during a match.

Examples include, but are not limited to:
a. Use of headphones, earphones, or earplugs of any kind, including Bluetooth accessories, whether turned on or not. Hearing aids are permitted.
b. Use of cell phones, smart phones, pagers, or music devices.

Cell phones may be worn on the belt or kept in pockets, but may not be accessed for messages, information or conversations at any time during a match by singles or scotch doubles players, or during your game in team play.

You must turn off all audible ringers and other notification tones while on the event floor.

The penalty for the first violation during an event is a warning.
Each subsequent violation is a FOUL.
Note: During league play the operator may allow headgear.

1. Your cues must meet CSI specifications.

2. It is a FOUL if you shoot with a cue that does not meet CSI specifications.

The cue must be removed from play.

In Call Pocket, obvious balls and pockets do not have to be indicated. It is the opponent’s right to ask which ball and pocket if he is unsure of the shot.

Banks and combinations are not considered obvious and both the object ball and the pocket must be called or it is a loss of turn.

When calling the shot, it is NEVER necessary to indicate details such as the NUMBER of cushions, banks, kisses, caroms, etc.

Any balls pocketed on a foul remain pocketed, regardless of whether they belong to the shooter or the opponent.

Jumped object balls and illegally pocketed balls are not returned to the table but do count in favor of the player with that group.

The start time for your match is the scheduled time or the time the match is announced, whichever is later.

If you are not present at the table with your equipment within the time allowed by Tournament Administrators, you LOSE the match by FORFEIT.

When a referee is not available, the Tournament Director or designated event official will fulfill the duties of the referee.

1. Your match or game begins when the cue tip strikes the cue ball during any stroke on the break shot.

2. Your match or game ends when the 8 ball is legally pocketed and all balls on the table have STOPPED MOVING.

After that time, there can be no fouls involving the game on the table for that game.

However, unsportsmanlike conduct immediately after a game or match may be penalized by loss of that game or match, or by other penalty at the referee’s discretion.

"Practice" is defined as any stroke or shot that is not a part of your match, taken on any table at the event venue.

1. It is a FOUL if you practice at any time during your match, INCLUDING during time-outs and periods of suspended play.

2. During a match, if the first offense of a practice foul occurs between games there is no penalty applied, but a warning will be issued. For second and subsequent offenses between games during a match, the offended player:
a. Is awarded the option to break if it is not their turn to break. If the offended player chooses to take the break, the breaking order for future games is not affected.
b. Is awarded ball in hand on the first shot after the break if it is their turn to break. The penalty is not applied if there is a foul on the break.

3. In team play, this rule applies to all members of the team that are in the teams line-up, whether or not they are playing at the time and whether or not they are listed on the score sheet of the match in progress. Penalties for fouls in team play:
a. For violations by a player who is playing a game at the time of the foul: the penalty is applied to that player’s table only;
b. For violations by a player who is not playing a game at the time of the foul: the penalty is applied to all tables assigned to the match.

You may stop play to request the assistance of a referee if you believe that a foul may occur or has occurred, or if you need information concerning the rules.

If you desire to stop play, you must NOTIFY your opponent and your opponent must ACKNOWLEDGE your request.

If it is your opponent’s inning, you must notify them before they are down on the shot. It is a FOUL if you interrupt your opponent after they are down on a shot.

If your opponent requests that play be stopped in order to summon a referee or other event official, you must ACKNOWLEDGE and honor that request.

After play has stopped, it is a FOUL if you take any stroke or shot until a referee authorizes you to shoot.

Play may be suspended at the referee's discretion.

It is a FOUL if you take any stroke or shot while play is suspended.

If time-outs are allowed by event regulations, you may only take a time-out during your inning, or when it is your turn to break.

Each player is allowed one time-out per match.

Time-outs are limited to five minutes.

If you exceed your allotted five minutes, or leave the playing area when not authorized to do so, you will FORFEIT one game for every two-minute period you fail to return to the match.

The two-minute period begins once a referee has determined you are not present when you should be.

Time-outs are NOT allowed in team play during CSI sanctioned tournaments.

1. During your match, it is a foul if you ask for, or intentionally receive, assistance in planning or executing any shot.

2. It is a foul if you receive unsolicited assistance from a spectator associated with you (e.g., spouse/partner, relative, teammate). “Assistance” includes being alerted to an opponent’s foul

3. If you are not aware of an opponent’s foul, and you are alerted to the foul by unsolicited information from a spectator not associated with you, the foul is not enforceable but you do not incur any additional penalty.

4. Any spectator not associated with you who offers any significant unsolicited assistance to you, whether verbal or non-verbal, will be warned against further interruptions or removed from the area.

Only the players involved may call a foul. In the event of a foul call, the opposing player receives cue ball in hand anywhere on the table.

This means that the player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table (the cue ball does not have to be behind the headstring except on opening break or immediately after a foul on the break - VNEA).

A player MUST stop shooting when a foul is called. If a player refuses to yield to a foul call, the opposing captain may protest.

Note: If your opponent commits a foul and you do not receive his/her acknowledgement of such foul prior to touching the cue ball YOU have committed a FOUL. (exception: scratching)

Any foul not called before the next stroke is taken is considered to have not occurred. The failure to call a foul on any previous shot does not restrict the ability to call a similar foul on any future shot.

If you commit more than one foul during a shot, only the foul that carries the most severe penalty is enforced. However, unsportsmanlike conduct may be penalized in conjunction with any foul or violation.

PLEASE NOTE: Three consecutive fouls by one player is NOT a loss of game.

During a game, it is a deliberate foul if you commit any of the above acts, whether shooting or not.

In addition to the penalties under the General Rules and specific game rules, you incur additional penalties if indicated, and upon the first violation you will receive a mandatory warning that second and subsequent violations of the same sub-section during the match will be penalized by loss of game.

All fouls must be CALLED and ACKNOWLEDGED before next shot is taken. (exception: scratching)
The following results in fouls:
1. Shooting the cue ball into a pocket or off table.
2. When placing the cue ball in position, any forward stroke motion contacting the cue ball will be a foul, if not a legal shot.
3. Shooting without at least one foot touching the floor.
4. Picking up or shooting the cue ball while any balls are still in motion is a foul.
5. Push shots and or double hits will be considered fouls.
6. With cue ball in hand, touching any object ball with the cue ball is a foul or touching any object ball with your hand while touching the cue ball is a foul.
7. Jumping object balls off the table.
8. Illegal jumping of ball. (scooping)

1. When you have ball in hand, you may use your hand or any part of your cue, including the tip, to position the cue ball. If you use your cue to place the cue ball, any action that would be a legal stroke will be considered a shot, and must meet the requirements of a legal shot or it is a foul.

2. Once you have picked up or moved the cue ball to take ball in hand, it remains in hand until it is contacted by the tip on your next stroke. You may place the cue ball, pick it up or move it again, and replace it successive times until you take that stroke.

3. Immediately after a foul, when you are picking up or moving the cue ball the first time to take ball in hand (as opposed to placing the cue ball or picking it up again for successive placements before the next shot), the provisions of Rule 1-33-1 apply to touching or disturbing a single object ball with the cue ball or your hand. You may request that a referee pick the cue ball up for you immediately after a foul.

4. When placing or moving the cue ball, it is a foul if you touch or disturb any object ball with the cue ball or your hand that holds the cue ball. Your "hand" is defined as including the wrist up to a point where a wristwatch would normally be worn. Your opponent has no restoration option.

This rule applies if players are required to lag by event regulations.

1. The lag begins with each player having ball in hand behind the head string, one to the left of the long string and one to the right. The balls must be of equal size and weight. The players shoot at approximately the same time toward the foot cushion. The ball must contact the foot cushion. When the balls come to rest, the player whose ball is closest to the head cushion wins the lag. The players will lag again if the lag is a tie, or if one player strikes the ball after the other player's ball has contacted the foot cushion.

2. You lose the lag if your ball:
a. does not contact the foot cushion;
b. contacts the foot cushion more than once;
c. crosses the long string;
d. contacts a side cushion;
e. is pocketed or jumped off the table;
f. comes to rest past the nose of the head cushion. (See Diagram)

In matches consisting of multiple games, the Administrative Authority of the event will set the procedure for determining which player or team will break subsequent racks.

General Discussion:
It is your responsibility to know when it is your turn to break.
If the incorrect player breaks a game and the error is discovered before the game is completed, the game will be re-racked with the proper player breaking.
If the error is not discovered until after the game is completed then the results of the game are final.

When the procedure for breaking subsequent games of a match calls for alternating breaks, if the incorrect player breaks a game and the error is discovered after the game is completed, the original order of the break in the following games shall remain as if no error had occurred.

The winner of the lag decides who breaks the first game of the match.
In subsequent games, the break must follow the procedure required by either specific game rules or event regulations.
You may not voluntarily pass the break to your opponent. Intentionally executing an illegal break in order to avoid breaking will be penalized as Unsportsmanlike Conduct.

1. You must rack for yourself when you are breaking. (Exception: 14.1 Continuous)

2. You must rack the balls as tightly as possible.
Each ball should touch all balls adjacent to it.

3. After you rack the balls, your opponent may inspect the rack but MUST NOT touch any ball. If your opponent is not satisfied with the rack, they may require you to re-rack the balls one time. After one re-rack, if both players cannot agree that the rack is suitable for play a referee must be called. The referee will then rack the balls for that game. If the referee racks the balls, the opponent may inspect the rack but must accept the rack as is.

4. You should refrain from tapping balls unless necessary. It is preferable to brush the area of the rack and ensure that the spot attached to the cloth, if any, is in good condition.

5. If the arrangement of the rack does not meet the requirements of the specific game, it will be corrected without penalty.

If your opponent's rack does not meet the requirements and you do not notify them before they break, the game will continue with no penalty.

You begin the break with ball in hand behind the head string. When positioning the cue ball for the break shot, the base of the ball must be behind the headstring (kitchen).
The break is not a called shot, and you may not call a ball or a safety on the break.

There is no requirement for the cue ball to contact any particular ball first.

You must legally pocket a ball or cause at least four object balls to contact one or more cushions or it is an illegal break.

If you legally pocket a ball, you continue to shoot.

If you do not legally pocket a ball or you commit a foul, your inning ends.

The following are fouls that can happen on a break.

a. Cue ball scratching after break.
b. Knocking ANY ball off the table.
( Object balls stay down and 8 ball is spotted in numerical order )
c. Not driving 4 object balls to a rail.
d. Stopping or deflecting the cue ball prior to hitting the racked balls.

BCAPL RULES - Ball in hand to opposing player.

VNEA RULES - Opposing player shoots from the kitchen.

8 Ball on the break does not win the game for the breaker.

If make the 8-ball on the break and do not foul, you may:
a. Have the 8-ball spotted and shoot.
b. Re-rack the balls and break again.

If make the 8-ball on the break and foul, your inning ends. Your opponent may:
a. Have the 8-ball spotted and take ball in hand anywhere on the table;
b. Re-rack the balls and break.

If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break, and it is not noticed until after another shot has been taken.

The game will be replayed with the player who broke the game breaking again.

EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2 EXAMPLE 3 EXAMPLE 4 EXAMPLE 5 EXAMPLE 6

1. Situation:
Player A shoots from position C1, contacting the 3-ball while the cue ball is still behind the line.
Ruling: Legal.
The 3-ball is below the head string (out of the kitchen).
The position of the cue ball when it strikes the 3-ball is not relevant.

2. Situation:
Player A shoots from position C1, contacting the 5-ball.
Ruling: Legal.
The 5-ball is on the head string, which is not part of the kitchen.

3. Situation:
Player A calls the 4-ball in Pocket B, shoots from position C1, contacts the 3-ball, and then draws the cue ball back to pocket the 4-ball.
Ruling: Legal.
The 4-ball was not the first ball contacted by the cue ball, and the first ball contacted was below the head string (out of the kitchen).

4. Situation:
Player A calls the 4-ball in pocket B, and then shoots from position C2 with extreme spin.
The cue ball contacts the side cushion at a point below the head string, and then pockets the 4-ball.
Ruling: Legal. The cue ball’s contact with the first cushion was below the head string (out of the kitchen).

5. Situation:
Player A calls the 1-ball in Pocket A, and then shoots from position C3, cutting the 1-ball into Pocket A.
The cue ball is past the head string when it contacts the 1-ball.
Ruling: FOUL. The 1-ball was behind the head string and was the first ball contacted by the cue ball.
The cue ball did not contact a cushion at a point below the head string before contacting the 1-ball, nor was the cue ball's first contact with a ball below the head string.
The fact that the cue ball crossed the head string before contacting the 1-ball is irrelevant.

6. Situation:
Player A calls an object ball that is outside of the kitchen, then places the cue ball in position C4 and kicks at the called ball by contacting a cushion behind the head string first.
Ruling: FOUL.
The cue ball’s contact with the first cushion was behind the line (in the kitchen).

The only relevant information concerning this rule is the position of the object or cue ball when it makes contact with another ball or a cushion.
That position is the base of the ball.
The edges of the ball have no relevance. When breaking or you have ball in hand after a foul on the break (VNEA).
Incoming player has cue ball in hand behind the headstring and may not shoot an object ball whose base is not outside the headstring.

You may first shoot the cue ball past the headstring and causes the cue ball to come back behind the headstring and hit the object ball.

If a player positions the cue ball completely and obviously outside the kitchen and shoots the cue ball, it is a FOUL, IF CALLED BY THE OPPONENT.

The opposing player must inform the breaking player of improper positioning of the cue ball before the shot is made. If the opposing player does not so inform the breaking player before the shot is made, the break is considered legal. If the shooting player is informed of improper positioning, he/she must then reposition the cue ball.

After a legal break the table is still OPEN and either STRIPES or SOLIDS can be shot by the shooter to establish a group.

Groups are established when the first object ball is legally pocketed on a shot after the break.

The player legally pocketing the first ball is assigned that group, and the opponent is assigned the other group.

You cannot establish a group on a safety.

In BCAPL you cannot use the 8 ball as the first ball in a combination shot to establish a group. In VNEA you can.

Note: If all balls of either group are pocketed on the break or illegally pocketed before groups are established, either player may legally shoot the 8-ball during their inning. You win the game if you legally pocket the 8-ball on such a shot.

Once they are established, groups can never change for the remainder of that game.

If a player shoots the wrong group it is a FOUL.

If a player shoots the wrong group and no foul is called before the next shot and the player continues to shoot at that group, or if at any time during the game it is discovered by either player or a referee that the players are shooting the wrong groups, the game will be replayed with the player who broke the game breaking again.

If a game has ended and then the players realize they shot the wrong groups, the game is not replayed and the result stands.

Rule applies only to games designated by specific game rules as
CALL SHOT GAMES.
Click buttons for more information.

On all shots the shooter must hit one of his group of balls first and then
(1) pocket any group ball or
(2) cause the cue ball or any other ball to contact a rail.

Failure to make a legal shot as noted above is a FOUL.

You must use a legal stroke.

Any lifting, sideways, or other brushing motion of the cue, such that the force that propels the cue ball does not primarily result from a forward motion of the cue as defined under “Legal Stroke”, is a FOUL.

An Obvious shot in one which the non-shooting player has no doubt as to, or does not question, the ball and the pocket.

A shot in which the cue ball has a clear path to the object ball and the object ball has a clear path to the pocket.

The following types of shots are exceptions and are defined as being "not obvious":
a. bank shots;
b. kick shots
c. combination shots;
d. shots that include caroms, kisses or cushion contacts that are not incidental;
e. any shot judged as not obvious by the referee.

1. A shot in which the cue ball first contacts a ball other than the called ball, followed by that ball then contacting the called ball or other object ball(s) which then contact the called ball.

2. A shot in which the called ball contacts another ball that is blocking the called ball’s path to the called pocket, and the blocking ball is pocketed in the called pocket before the called ball.

Combination shots must be CALLED and ACKNOWLEDGED by your opponent.
FOUL for the following:
1) The first ball you hit in the combination is not a ball from your group.
2) You cannot use the 8 Ball as the first ball in the combination.
(exception: VNEA after the break)

A double hit is a FOUL.

Double hit is defined as:

1. When the cue tip strikes the cue ball more than once on a single stroke.

2. When any part of the cue contacts the cue ball after the cue ball’s initial contact with an object ball.

A push shot is a FOUL.

A push shot hit is defined as:

A shot in which the cue tip maintains contact with the cue ball longer than the momentary contact allowed for a legal stroke.

Do not confuse the term “Push Shot” with a double hit.
They are not the same thing.

A push shot occurs when, intentionally or unintentionally, the cue tip rests on the cue ball significantly longer than during a normal stroke, essentially resulting in the cue “shoving” the cue ball as opposed to “striking” it.

Whether a push shot has occurred is at the sole judgment of the referee.

A stroke that unintentionally results in faulty cue tip contact with the cue ball (such as the cue tip sliding off the cue ball), often accompanied by a sharp sound not usually associated with a normal stroke.

A frozen ball is one that the ball is touching a rail or the cue ball.
An object ball is not considered frozen to a cushion or rail unless it is EXAMINED AND ANNOUNCED as such by either the referee or one of the players prior to that object ball being involved in a shot.
(This applies to any shot where the cue ball’s first contact with a ball is with one that is frozen to a cushion or to the cue ball itself).

Prior to any shot except the break, you may declare a safety. If playing a safety, you MUST communicate with your opponent in a CLEAR and UNAMBIGUOUS manner. Safeties MUST BE CALLED VERBALLY – gestures are not sufficient, no matter how clear they may appear.

The non-shooting player has responsibilities when a safety is called, and should ACKNOWLEDGE a called safety in a CLEAR and UNAMBIGUOUS manner.

If a dispute arises as to whether a safety was called, the referee is the sole judge

On a safety, your inning ends after the shot regardless of whether you pocket any ball.

If you do not declare a safety and you pocket a ball on an obvious shot, your inning continues and you MUST SHOOT AGAIN.

1. Jump shots are legal shots. However, it is a foul if you intentionally cause the cue ball to rise off the bed of the table by "digging under" or "scooping" the cue ball with the cue.
If such a motion is unintentional, it is considered a miscue, and not a foul in and of itself.

2. If you attempt to jump over or massé around an impeding illegal object ball then Disturbed Balls rule, does not apply to the impeding ball for that shot.
If the impeding illegal object ball moves during the stroke it is a foul regardless of whether it was moved by your equipment or any part of your body.

During a game, it is not a foul if you accidentally touch or move a single stationary object ball with any part of your body, clothing or equipment, unless the disturbed ball has an effect on the outcome of the shot.

It is a FOUL if you intentionally mark the table in any way to assist you in executing any shot or future shot.

Marking includes the deliberate placement of chalk or any other object at a specific point on a rail or cushion to aid the alignment of a shot, or placing any mark on any part of the table.

The FOUL occurs at the moment you mark the table, regardless of whether you remove the mark or whether a shot is taken.

Balls to be spotted are placed on the long string with the number facing up. A single ball is placed on the foot spot.
If more than one ball is to be spotted, they are placed on the long string in ascending numerical order, beginning on the foot spot and moving toward the foot of the table. ( Diagram 1 )

If other balls interfere with spotting, the ball(s) to be spotted will be placed on the long string below the foot spot, but as close as possible to the foot spot, without moving the interfering balls.
If there is no space available on the long string below the foot spot, they will be placed on the long string above the foot spot, but as close as possible to the foot spot, without moving the interfering balls. ( Diagram 2 )

Whenever possible, spotted balls will be placed frozen to interfering object balls or other spotted balls.
If the cue ball is the interfering ball, the spotted ball will be placed as closely as possible to the cue ball without being frozen to it.

If balls are wedged in the mouth of a pocket, a referee will inspect them and judge whether, if they were free to fall directly downward, the balls would come to rest on the bed of the table or in the pocket.

The referee will then place the balls in the positions as judged and play will continue.

If balls move because of the action of a non-player or other influence beyond the control of the players, a referee will restore the balls as nearly as possible to their original positions and play will continue.

If the interference occurs during a shot and has an effect on the outcome of the shot, the shooter shoots again after the restoration.

In either case, if the referee judges that restoration is not possible, the game will be replayed with the player who broke the game breaking again.

Balls moved under such circumstances do not meet the definition of disturbed balls rule.

1. If a ball settles or otherwise moves by itself, it will remain in the position it assumed and play continues. It is not a foul if a ball settles or otherwise moves by itself as you are shooting. If a ball that you are shooting at settles while you are shooting but does not fall into a pocket, the result of the shot stands.

2. If a ball that is frozen to the cue ball moves as the cue ball leaves its original position on a shot, whether or not it was moved by the cue ball or settled on its own is determined solely by the referee's judgment.

3. If a ball is hanging on the lip of a pocket and falls into that pocket by itself after being stationary for five seconds or longer, it will be replaced as closely as possible to the position it was in prior to falling. The five-second count does not begin until all balls in play have stopped moving. Whether the shooter remains at the table does not affect the five-second period.

General Discussion: When requesting that a player at the table stop shooting, or when requesting information concerning what shot is being played, requests should be made as soon as possible.
While Rules 1-9-1 and 1-16-2 specify that questions must be asked prior to a player being down on a shot, situations may arise in which it is not apparent what the shooter intends to do before they start to go down on the shot.

Remember that, by definition, "down on the shot" means having settled completely into a shooting position with a bridge established and pre-shot practice strokes, if any, imminent or in progress.
While the player’s shooting style will be considered, simply leaning over the table and placing the bridge hand on the bed does not necessarily constitute being down on a shot.

In particular, a normally quick shooter may not use their style as an excuse to circumvent their opponent’s right to obtain information.
Players that choose to use a style that has little or no pre-shot routine, or a style that has no warm-up stroke motions, must take extra care to either communicate their intentions to their opponent or allow their opponent sufficient time to ask questions or summon a referee.

In no case may a shooter, regardless of their style of play, intentionally try to get down on a shot quickly in an attempt to prevent an opponent from asking a question or stopping play.
It is also not permissible to lead the non-shooter to believe that you intend to play one shot, then quickly adjust and play a different shot without giving them time to request information or stop play.
Either of those situations may be treated as Unsportsmanlike Conduct.

If a shooter has just leaned over the table to assume a shooting position but has not yet firmly established the position and started or prepared to start practice strokes, it is still permissible to stop play.
At the same time, to help prevent that situation from occurring, when in the chair you must make a reasonable effort to remain alert and to anticipate situations in which you may want to stop play or request information, and do so before the shooter starts to go down on the shot.

If you wish to stop play in order to summon a referee, you must clearly let your opponent know and ensure that your opponent acknowledges your request.
If, during your opponent's turn, you leave the table or area to summon a referee without first stopping play, your opponent may continue to shoot without penalty.

Thorough and clear communication is required of all players.
If a dispute arises, or if players have persistent problems regarding this issue during a match, the referee will be the sole judge of what remedies or penalties shall be imposed, and both players may be subject to unsportsmanlike conduct warnings or penalties.

Violations involving shooting while play is stopped or suspended do not require that the stroke or shot take place on the table on which the suspension is in effect.
A stroke or shot on any table at the event venue is illegal under Rules 1-9 and 1-10.

During extended stoppages or suspensions caused by unusual circumstances (e.g., loss of power or equipment failure,) referees or event officials may temporarily suspend Rule 1-8 at their discretion and allow players to practice during the delay.

1. If a shooter inadvertently pockets his opponents ball, it remains down, however, if the shooter does not legally pocket one of his own group, he loses his turn.

2. Each player continues to shoot so long as he legally pockets any of his object balls (Exception: calling a safety). Should a player fail to pocket his designated group ball, he shall lose his turn.

3. If a player fails to hit the 8-ball while shooting at it, it is a FOUL and the game continues. When the 8-ball is the legal object ball, a scratch or foul is not a loss of game if the 8-ball is not pocketed or jumped off the table. Incoming player has cue ball in hand.

4. In the event the cue ball or an object ball stops on the edge of the pocket then falls into the pocket because of vibrations, fan or stamping of feet, it shall be replaced on the edge of the pocket as near as possible to its position before interference.

5. If any object ball is jumped off the table, it is a FOUL and loss of turn, unless it is the 8-ball, which is a loss of game. Any jumped object balls are spotted in numerical order.

You lose the game if:
a. You call a safety while shooting the 8-ball and it is pocketed.
b. You jump the 8-ball off the table on any shot other than the break;
c. You pocket the 8-ball on the same shot as the last ball of your group;
d. You pocket the 8-ball on a shot defined as not obvious that you do not call.
e. You commit a foul and the 8-ball falls into a pocket.
f. You knock the 8 ball in a pocket by accident.
g. When your opponent is on the hill, if you make a motion to unscrew your playing cue during your opponent's inning you lose the match.

1. You must not concede any game at any time for any reason. “Concede” means that, as a result of any verbal or non-verbal action, you lead your opponent to believe that you are awarding them the game before its normal conclusion on the table.

Before a game has ended, you must refrain from making any statements such as “good game”, etc., or any other verbal inference that the game is over or that your opponent is certain or likely to win.

You must also refrain from any similar non-verbal action, such as putting away your cue or accessory items, beginning to mark a score sheet, changing clothes, retrieving or juggling coins or tokens, etc. Whether or not you have conceded a game is determined solely by the referee’s judgment.

When your opponent is on the hill, if you make a motion to unscrew your playing cue during your opponent's inning you lose the match.