The rules

Torrox Competa Nerja Poll League

PLAYING RULES

2011/2012

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

Requirements Of the Game
4.2 A frame is played with a group of seven red balls, a group of seven yellow balls, a black ball and a cue ball. On different coloured table cloths suitably identified coloured groups are required. Red and yellow balls are to be used for green and blue baize tables. If the table has red baize, blue and yellow balls are required. If the table has yellow baize, red and blue balls are required. Players should not play any frames where the colour of the baize is the same as one group of balls. Alternatively the coloured groups may be represented by numerical groups 1-7 and 9-15. The two groups of coloured/numbered balls and the black ball are known as object balls.

Object Of The Game
4.3 The player or pair potting their coloured group first and then legally potting the 8 ball (black) wins the frame

Commencement Of Each Frame
4.4 The balls are racked with the black ball on the black spot thus (stripes replace yellows when using striped and spotted balls)

4.5 Order of play is determined by the flip of a coin. The winner of the flip has the option of breaking or requesting his/her opponent to do so.
4.6 The opening player plays at the triangle of object balls using the cue ball from any position on or within the ‘Baulk’.
4.7 The opening player has the break and must drive at least two balls to hit a cushion or pot one of the coloured balls. Failure to do so is a foul and the oncoming player is awarded two shots and a free table (see 4.10). If the breaking player pots either one or more balls from a single group, then the player has to nominate a colour and stays on that colour and continues their visit. If the breaking player pots a combination of reds and yellows then the player must nominate which group they wish to take and continues their visit. They do not need to pot again to remain on that nominated colour. Failure to nominate before playing their next shot is a foul. If the black ball is potted see Rule 4.12. If the white ball is potted from the break see Rule 4.15 then Rule 4.10.
4.8 If no ball is potted from a legal break, then the oncoming player has one visit and an open table. Players continue alternately until such a time as a ball or balls are potted. On the first occasion an object ball is legally potted, that ball denotes the player’s group.
4.9 On the first occasion object balls are legally potted, if more than one are of different groups, the player shall nominate red or yellow and continue to play. They do not need to pot again to remain on that colour. Failure to nominate before playing their next shot is a foul.
4.10 After a foul break the oncoming player has a free table. Any ball potted from the free table shot counts for the purposes of the player retaining two shots, but does not denote the player’s group. Following the free table shot the next legally potted ball denotes the player’s group, and if one of each group is potted the player must nominate red or yellow. If no balls are potted, the table remains open until such time as a player pots legally from a non-free table shot.
4.11 If, before any balls are legally potted, a foul stroke is committed when one or more object balls potted, then these are discounted for the purpose of denoting a player’s colour.
4.12 If a player pots the 8 ball (black) from the break, the frame shall be restarted by the same player. No penalty will be incurred. The balls are to be re-racked. This applies even if other balls (including the cue ball) are potted as well.
4.13 If a ball or balls are legally potted, this entitles the player to one additional shot and the break continues until the player either: (1) fails to pot one of his or her group of allocated balls, or (2) commits a foul at any time.
4.14 Combination shots are allowed provided that the player hits one of his or her own group of balls first.

Fouls
4.15 In Off (cue ball potted) at any time.
4.16 Hitting an opponent’s ball before his or her own ball or balls, except after a free table has been awarded.
4.17 Failing to hit any ball, except when a player is playing away from his or her own touching ball.
4.18 Jump Shot – defined as when the cue ball jumps over any part of any ball before making contact with any object ball.
4.19 If a player hits the 8 ball (black) with the cue ball on the first impact before all his or her own balls have been potted, except after a free table has been awarded.
4.20 Potting an opponent’s ball, except after a free table has been awarded.
4.21 Ball off the table: (1) if an object ball, the ball is to be spotted on the black spot, or as near as possible to the black spot without touching any other ball, in a direct line between the black spot and the centre of the ‘Baulk’ and (2) if the cue ball, the ball is to be played from any position within the ‘Baulk’. A ball shall be deemed to be “off the table” if it comes to rest other than on the bed of the table.
4.22 If a player’s clothing or body should touch any ball.
4.23 Player not having at least one foot on the floor.
4.24 Playing with any ball other than the cue ball.
4.25 Playing out of turn.
4.26 Playing before all balls have come to rest.
4.27 Playing before ball or balls have been re-spotted.
4.28 Interfering with the movement of the ball with either body, clothing or cue.
4.29 Striking the cue ball with the cue more than once.
4.30 Failing to nominate when required before playing the next shot.

Penalty Following A Foul
4.31 Following any foul the oncoming player is awarded two shots (which carry) and a free table. This means that they can hit a ball from either group, or the black ball, without penalty. Any object ball potted from a free ball shot (except the black), whether singly or in combination, will count as one of the player’s own group (in accordance with Rule 4.10 where applicable) and their visit will continue. The oncoming player can only pot the black from a free ball if they have already potted all balls of their own group, but not in combination with an opponent’s ball (see Rule 4.37). Their two-shot visit continues until they have failed to pot twice or committed a foul at any time.
4.32 After a foul stroke, if the oncoming player is snookered with the cue ball angled in the jaws of the pocket and he/she cannot hit any ball direct, he/she may ask the Referee to place the cue ball in the ‘Baulk’ and is awarded a free table.
4.33 After a foul stroke, if the oncoming player is snookered on the 8 ball (black), he/she may play a nominated ball onto the 8 ball (black) and pot the 8 ball (black) only.
4.34 Following a foul stroke, if the oncoming player is snookered on his/her own balls then he/she will have the option to have the cue ball placed by the Referee in the ‘Baulk’. The oncoming player may play the cue ball from anywhere within the ‘Baulk’ and the free table rule applies. In these circumstances only the Referee can move the cue ball from its original resting place.
4.35 The Referee should, following a foul shot, inform the oncoming player that he or she has a free table.

Loss Of Frame

4.37 If a player pots the 8 ball (black) and any other ball on the same stroke, except from the break, he or she will lose the frame.
4.38 A player going in off the 8 ball (black) when the 8 ball (black) is legally potted, loses the frame.
4.39 If the 8 ball (black) leaves the table.
The black ball must be nominated before potting once the black has been nominated that pocket stays nominated,unless the player chooses to renominate should the player fail to do so and pots the ball loss of frame.

General
4.40 Push strokes are allowed but a player may play away from a touching ball of his or her own group and be deemed to have played that ball. Should the cue ball be touching an opponent’s ball or 8 ball (black), a player shall play away without penalty providing the cue ball strikes one of his or her own group.
4.41 When a player has the cue ball in hand he or she plays from any position within the ‘Baulk’ and in any direction.
4.42 At the end of each break the off-going player is responsible for the table (and liable to any penalties or benefits accorded to the player in the rules of this game) until the oncoming player has addressed the table.
4.43 Addressing the table means having touched the table whether personally or with the cue, chalk (this includes picking it up) or other item. (See also Rule 4.49).

4.45 The oncoming player is said to be snookered when the cue ball has no clear path to touch both sides of any of his or her object balls remaining on the table, including situations when balls of a player's own group contribute to obstructing a clear path for the cue ball.
4.46 The frame is completed when the 8 ball (black) is potted in any pocket and all the remaining balls have come to rest, except when this occurs from the break.
4.47 The Referee may, if required, advise on the playing rules of the League only. He cannot advise on any other Rules (i.e. Appeals Procedure, etc.) except by reading such Rules and ensuring that all players strictly adhere to them.

Pairs Matches
4.49 The oncoming player can consult with his or her partner but the non-playing player is not allowed to address the table (see rule 4.43), which will be deemed a foul. Additionally, neither player of the oncoming pair should lean any part of their body over the table, or use the cue or any other item to do so, which will also be deemed a foul.
4.50 Once the oncoming player has addressed the table there must be no further contact (including sign language, coughing, etc.) between the players until the end of the break. Failure to do so will result in a foul shot being called.

Stalemates and Re-racks
4.51 Should any situation arise whereby a legal shot cannot be played the frame should be re-racked and restarted (with the same player breaking) whether this situation is arrived at by accident or design. A legal shot can only be considered impossible if the cue ball is physically unable to pass all the snookering balls, not because of factors such as difficulty, angle or spin.