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.
8-Ball is a call shot game played with a cue ball and fifteen object balls numbered 1
through 15.
Each player or team has a group of seven balls:
the SOLID colored balls numbered 1 through 7,
or the STRIPED balls numbered 9 through 15.
The 8-ball is the game winning ball.
The object of the game is to pocket your entire group of balls and then legally pocket
the 8-ball.
The game is played by two players or two teams.
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 home team breaks first and writes their line-up down first.
The break will alternate thereafter.
During tournament competition,
the teams will flip a coin to determine home team.
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.
This rule does not apply to handing or moving the cue ball to the opponent after a foul has
already been committed.
It is common for a player to want to end their inning without disturbing the lay of the table.
However, the only way to end your inning without violating UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT is
to attempt a legal stroke.
Any other action, including refusing to shoot, is a violation of UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT.
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.
The player that is breaking will rack.
1. The balls are racked in a triangle at the foot of the table with the 8-ball in the
center of the triangle.
2. The first ball of the rack is on the footspot.
3. A stripe ball is in one corner of the back of the rack.
4. A solid ball is in the opposite corner of the rack.
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.
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.
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 simultaneous hit shot is NOT a foul.
A simultaneous hit shot is defined as:
1. When the cue ball first strikes more than one object ball at the same time.
2. When it cannot be determined which object ball the cue ball struck first.
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.
After the cue ball makes contact with the frozen ball, the shot must result
in any of the following conditions:
a) A ball being pocketed.
b) The cue ball contacting a cushion.
c) The frozen ball being caused to contact a cushion attached
to a separate rail.
d) Another object ball being caused to contact a cushion with which it was not
already in contact.
Failure to satisfy one of those four requirements is a FOUL.
A ball which is touching a cushion at the start of a shot and then is forced
into a cushion attached to the same rail is not considered to have been driven
to that cushion unless it leaves the cushion, contacts another ball, and then
contacts the cushion again.
An object ball is not considered frozen to a cushion unless it is declared frozen
immediately prior to the shot and before the shooter is down on the shot.
Contacting a ball frozen to a cushion does not constitute contacting that cushion.
1. The cue ball is not considered frozen to an object ball or cushion unless it is declared
frozen immediately prior to the shot.
2. If the cue ball is frozen to a legal object ball, it is legal to shoot toward the object
ball provided you use a legal stroke.
3. If the cue ball is frozen to a cushion, it is legal to shoot the cue ball into the cushion
provided you use a legal stroke.
4. Despite the legality of the stroke with respect to the cue ball and frozen ball or cushion,
the presence of one or more other object balls or a cushion nearby a frozen cue ball or object
ball may create the possibility of a violation of Rule 1-30 involving the cue ball and the
nearby ball or cushion.
5. Shooting the cue ball away from an object ball that is frozen to the cue ball does not
constitute contacting that object ball.
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.
Exaggerated slow play will be penalized.
After a warning, any longer than ONE MINUTE between shots will be a foul.
The third infraction will result in loss of game.
During National competition, referees judgment will prevail and both players
will be timed.
1. There is normally no time limit for you to take a shot. However, a referee may
implement a shot clock if they judge that you are delaying a match unnecessarily
or in an unsportsmanlike manner, or if event officials require that a match proceed
at a faster pace.
2. You may call a referee if you believe your opponent is deliberately or
consistently playing at an abnormally slow pace. If, after a reasonable period of
observation, the referee judges that slow play is occurring, they will warn the
offending player(s).
After the warning, if the referee judges that the pace of play remains abnormally
slow, they will place the player(s) on a 45-second shot clock.
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.
When a player has pocketed all of the balls in his group, he then shoots
at the 8-ball.
In BCAPL you need only call the pocket.
In VNEA you must physically designate the pocket with a pocket marker.
The marker is to be placed on the table completely within the first two diamonds
on either side of the pocket. The entire area between the diamonds included.
You do not have to touch or move the marker if it is already at your intended
pocket.
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.
If a referee judges that the table is in a position such that any attempt
to pocket or move a ball will result in loss of game on that shot, or that
the game is not progressing because the position of the table has not
significantly changed through three consecutive innings by each player,
the referee will declare a stalemate and the game will be replayed with
the player who broke the game breaking again.
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.
All balls will have a diameter of 2¼” ± .005”.
The weight of the balls will be between 5½ and 6 ounces, but all object balls used
in any match must be of equal weight.
Slight variations in the weight of the cue ball with respect to the object balls
may occur depending on the type of the cue ball.