playing rules

playing rules 2009-10

DDPL POOL RULES ( B&C rules shown in blue/black A-league additional rules shown in red )

THE GAME

(m)

it the player is unable so see ANY part of ANY of their own colour then they may call a

LOSS OF GAME

The game shall be known as 8 Ball Pool and referred to in these rules as "The Game" . It is

'TOTAL SNOOKER'', the referee will then check, and if in agreement the player need only

(a)

If a player pockets the 8 ball(black) before all the balls of their own group, except on the

intended that players and teams should play 8 ball pool in the true spirit of the game and in

make contact with their object ball to make a legal shot, ie, no cushion needs be hit after.

break rule (rule 4(d)), the player loses the game.

a sporting manner. It should be clearly understood that the referee is the sole judge of what

(n)

if an object ball is touching a cushion, then that does not count as having ''touched'' that

(b)

if the player pockets the black, but then interferes with ANY moving balls until they have

is fair and unfair play. The referee will take whatever action is necessary to ensure that

cushion, to ensure a legal shot, refer to rule (4l)

come to rest of their own accord

these rules are observed.

the referee is to check all instances where an object ball may be touching a cushion and

(c)

A player committing any foul whilst pocketing the 8 ball (black), except on the break

make the players aware

(rule 4(d)), loses the game.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE GAME

(d )

A player pocketing the 8 ball (black) and any other ball on the same shot will lose the game.

The game is played on a rectangular 6 pocket table with 15 balls plus a cue ball. Balls

FOULS

Except following a foul when only the 8 ball (black) and ball(s) of the opponents group are

comprise of two numbered groups,1-7 which are solid coloured balls,9-15 are striped

(a)

In off (cue ball pocketed)

on the table, then with the first shot of the first visit, the player may legally pocket the

coloured balls, the 8 ball is a solid colour black. Alternatively the numerical groups 1-7 &

(b)

Hitting opponents ball(s) with the cue ball on the first impact of the cue ball, except with

8 ball (black) as well as ball(s) of the opponent's group by any combination and in any

9-15 may be represented by two different sets of 7 coloured balls. Usually Red replace

the first shot following any foul.

order.

Stripe (9-15), Yellow replace solid (1-7). Balls in the two groups are known as object balls.

(c )

Failing to hit any ball with the cue ball.

(e) A player who clearly fails to make any attempt to play a ball of their own group will lose the

(d)

Jump shot - defined as when the cue ball jumps over any part of any ball before making

game.

OBJECT OF THE GAME

contact with any ball.

The player or team pocketing all their group of object balls in any order , and then the

(e)

Hitting the 8 ball (black) with the cue ball on the first impact of the cue ball before all their

GENERAL

legally pocketing the 8 ball (black), wins the game.

own group are pocketed, except with the first shot following any foul.

(a)

Touching Ball

(f)

Potting any opponents ball, except with the first shot following any foul.

(I) If the cue ball is touching an object ball, the player must play away from that ball.

COMMENCEMENT OF THE GAME (OR RE-START)

(g)

Ball of the table:

if object ball moves due to cloth impurities then that alone is not a foul

(a)

The balls are racked as illustrated (right) with the 8 ball (black)on the 8 ball spot which is

(1) any object ball or the 8 ball (black), shall be returned to the 8 ball spot,(see 4(a)), or as

(ii) If the cue ball is touching any ball the player is legally entitled to play, then the player

at the intersection of the centre and corner pockets.

near to that spot without touching any other ball , in a direct line between that spot and the

is deemed to have played that ball. Should the cue ball fail to make contact with any ball,

(b)

Order of play is determined by the flip of a coin. The winner of the flip has the option of

centre of the string line.

or strike the opponents ball or 8 ball (black), then the shot is fair, no foul.

breaking or requesting the opponent to do so, breaks then alternate for the

(2) if the cue ball, cue ball played from hand (8(b) general).

(iii) If the cue ball is touching any ball the player is legally entitled to play, then the player

duration on the match

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

is deemed to have played that ball, and need only to reach a cushion or pot an object

(c )

The opening player plays at the triangle of object balls by striking the

(h)

If a players body or clothing should touch any ball, Except the cue ball after the referee

ball to complete a legal shot

cue ball from any position BEHIND the baulk line, i.e. the centre of the

calls 'foul', when the player is entitled to the cue ball in hand, (see 6(b)).

(b)

Cue Ball in Hand

white must not be placed directly above the line. An object ball MUST

(I)

Player not having at least one foot on the floor.

when the player has the cue ball ''in hand'', the cue ball may be played from anywhere

be pocketed, OR at least four object balls ( not including the white )

(j)

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

BEHIND the baulk line, i.e., the centre of the white must not be placed directly above

MUST hit any cushion. Failure to do so is a FOUL BREAK

(k)

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

the baulk line, it may then be played in any direction

and will result in the balls being racked as in 4(a). The opposing

(l)

Playing out of turn.

(c )

Player in Control

player then starts the game with two visits. (this does not alter the original breaking order)

(m)

Playing before balls have come to rest.

A player is said to be in control of the table from the time that their body, cue or clothing

(d)

If the 8 ball (black) is pocketed from the break shot, the balls will be re-racked, and the

(n)

Playing before any ball(s) that require re-spotting, are re-spotted.

touches the table prior to their shot, throughout the visit(s) and up until the opponent

frame will restart with the same player breaking, no penalty will be incurred

(o)

Striking the cue ball with the cue more than once.

does likewise prior to their visit. Any ball(s) which fall into pocket(s) during this period,

This rule over-rides ALL other fouls, the only exception being if the original player who

(p)

Push Shot - defined as when (a) the cue tip of the cue remains in contact with the cue ball

(including the 8 ball (black)) are said to have been pocketed, the player in control being

re-breaks originally did so with 2-visits, then they still re-break with 2-visits

when the cue makes contact with the object ball, or (b) the tip remains in contact with

liable to any penalties or benefits normally awarded for the pocketing of the ball(s).

(e)

On the first occasion a player legally pockets an object ball (other than on the break)

the cue ball once the cue ball has commenced its forward motion.

However, once the cue ball has been struck a legal shot must be completed, a ball falling in

including following a foul ,then that ball denotes their group, unless one or more of both

(q)

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

does not cancel out a foul.

groups are pocketed, the player must then nominate a group before play continues.

(r )

Foul Break, failing to pot an object ball, or drive at least four object balls to any cushion(s).

(d)

The game is completed when the 8 ball (black) is pocketed in any pocket, and all the

(f)

If no object ball is pocketed from a legal break, then the players continue alternately

( the cue ball is NOT an object ball )

remaining balls have come to rest, except on the break, rule 4(d).

playing at either group until such time a legal pot is made which decides the players group.

(s)

Failure to nominate when an object ball is pocketed off the break

(g)

If a foul is committed, (other than as rule 4(d)or 4(j)), and one or more object balls are

(t)

Failure to cause either the cue ball or any ball to make contact with a cushion OR to

STALEMATE

pocketed before playing groups are decided, then those balls are ignored in determining

pot an object ball after the initial contact with an object ball

Should any situation arise whereby a legal shot is impossible to play, i.e., there must be a

the groups to be played. The oncoming player may play at any ball on the table , including

(u)

Failure to nominate when in a ''total snooker'' is not a foul unless a ball(s) then fails to

''straight line'' shot available ( not bending the white ) and the distance the white will

the 8 ball(black) for the first shot, the first legal pot to determine the group as rule 4(e).

reach a cushion to fulfil a legal shot

travel must be reasonably possible, then that frame will be re-started using rule (4d)

(h)

If a ball or balls, are legally pocketed, this entitles the player to one additional shot and this

whether this situation is arrived at by accident or design

continues until the player either.

the jaws of pockets may be used when deciding on a re-rack

(1) Fails to pocket one of their set of allocated balls, or

If in the opinion of the referee neither player is allowing the game to progress or a stale-

(2) Commits a foul at any time.

PENALTY FOLLOWING ANY FOUL

mate situation has arisen, then the game shall be re-started by the player who started that

(I)

Combination shots are allowed , providing that the player hits one of their own group first,

(a)

Following any foul the offending player loses their next visit to the table, giving the

frame, a warning will be given allowing each player 3-visits to continue the frame

or any ball with the first shot following any foul (rule 6 (c )).

opponent two consecutive visits to the table (other than 4(j)).

(j)

If the white ball is pocketed off the break , the oncoming player shall have one visit only,

(b)

If the cue ball comes to rest on the playing surface, then the player having two visits may

GUIDANCE

free table first shot (the 8 ball Black may be played ,but not potted, if so wished).

proceed to play from where the cue ball lies , or the cue ball may be played from any

(a)

The term "shot" means striking the cue ball once.

the player may not pot colour 1 as a free ball then choose to colour 2 as his group

position on or behind the baulk line. Moving the cue ball in this manner does not count as a

(b)

The term "visit" refers to one turn at the table comprising of one, or a series of shots.

(k)

If an object ball or balls are pocketed off the break(other than 4(d)), the player MUST

shot, or visit. (Players are advised to ask the referee to hand them the cue ball).

(c )

The term "break" refers to the first shot of the game or the first shot of any game being

nominate which group they would like to be, failure to nominate will result in a foul. If the

(c )

On the first shot only of the first visit, the oncoming player may play the cue ball onto any

re-started.

player chooses a group that they have already pocketed then they will remain on this group,

ball without penalty, (including any opponents ball or the 8 ball(black)). If any object

(d)

Coaching is deemed unsporting behaviour, (see rule 1).

If however the player chooses a group that has not been pocketed then they must pocket

ball(s) is pocketed directly, or by any combination, then the player is deemed to have

(e)

A referee may, only if requested, advise on rules of the game.

a ball(s) of that group on the next shot to be on that group, failure to do this means the

pocketed a legal ball(s), and continues with the first visit. However, the player must not

(f)

The term ''nominate'' means to clearly identify a choice of colour group to either the

situation reverts to an OPEN table.

pot the 8 ball(black), which would mean loss of game. Except if the player was on the 8 ball

opposition or the referee, make sure they hear you

(l)

on EVERY shot after the cue ball's initial contact with a legal object ball, for the shot to

(black), then the game would be won.

(g)

if the player/cue is accidentally knocked and this causes ball(s) to move then they may be

be legal, then EITHER the cue ball or any object ball must either make contact with a

When the player fails to pot a ball on the first or subsequent shot of the first visit, play then

replaced with no penalty, if that player so wishes

cushion OR a colour be potted : i.e., it the cue ball hits a cushion prior to hitting an object

continues with the second visit. The second visit is deemed to have started when the cue

(h)

The term ''total snooker'' if used to identify if a player cannot see any part of at least one

ball this will be a foul, unless the cue ball or an object ball(s) then hit a cushion or an

ball is struck on the first shot of the second visit.

of their group after either their or their opponents shot, and must be agreed by the

object ball is potted

opponent or referee

issued on 25-9-09