Rules
League Rules (Witham Friendly Pool League)
- AGM to be held prior to the start of the season. The date of AGM must be advertised at least 2 weeks before.
- Chairman to be elected at AGM by majority vote.
- Committee members will be elected/ re-elected at the AGM. A minimum number of 5 members will be voted onto the committee or re-elected. No pub/club to have more than 3 committee members. All committee members have one vote and no proxy voting.
- The Chairman has no vote at committee meetings, only the casting vote in the case of a draw.
- The committee has the right to co-opt extra committee members at each AGM
- At all committee meetings/Draws, there must be at least 3 committee members.
- Pool rules can only be amended at the AGM and must have proposal & seconded. Potential rule changes may be discussed and voted within the captains WhatsApp groups but ultimately can only be changed at the AGM via 1 vote per team of the teams present.
- An extraordinary general meeting can be called by written request to the Chairman. The written request must be signed by at least 10 pool players from at least 3 teams, a two week notice will be given before such a meeting.
- Dates for all competitions to be advertised at the beginning of the season.
- Semi-finals/finals must be played on a neutral table unless agreed by BOTH the participants AND the committee
- Clubs/venues must be given 48hrs notice of any competitions to be held there.
- Old E.P.A. rules to be played. (Please see nomination rule 4e below in the 8 ball rules section)
- Players need to be registered 24 hours before they play their first match for their team. (I.e Register on a Monday before you need them on the Tuesday) Failure to do this will result in forfeit/loss of frames won by this person/these persons and this could affect the match sheet result.
- All matches to be played as 6 singles, 3 pairs and a Captains nomination match which is to be randomly drawn out at the start of the night but played as the 10th frame. Teams must put a minimum number of 6 names into the draw unless the team is short of players for that match.
- Home team to supply first referee and then alternate.
Toss a coin for break in every frame. If a home team player is refereeing, they ask the away player to call on the toss and vice versa. 1 point for each frame (max 10 points per match). - No coaching in singles play.
- Scotch doubles to be played. Players will take alternate shots in the pairs match. Players must be conscious of the order of turn. At no point in the entire frame should a player from one pair play consecutive shots, irrespective of different or separate visits (you may find you don’t follow the same opposition player each visit) playing out of turn incurs a foul and 2 shots. Please keep talking between shots to a minimum.
- There is no D, play from behind the baulk line. After any foul you can pick the white ball up & place it behind the baulk line. It is advisable to ask the Referee to perform this task.
- Push shots are NOT allowed. You MUST play away from a touching ball.
- A player can ONLY play for one team in a season. Any player breaking this rule loses the games they won playing for the second team. Results of frames will be altered if player affects results.
- The match starts at 8pm sharp. A home team should offer open table to the away team at 7:45pm. If an away team wants to have a practice frame, this can only happen until 8pm.
- (a) Home Team must enter singles players by 8pm. Away team players should be ready to start play at 8pm. Play should commence or loss of frame can occur to defaulting team. A second player must be available for play at 8:15pm or a second frame may be claimed. PLAYERS NAMES MUST BE ENTERED WITH SURNAMES TOO.
(b) Declared players who arrive after 9:00pm are not eligible to play singles unless there is an agreement by both captains before play commences.
Players who arrive after 9pm and are not listed in the singles are entitled to play in the doubles if names haven’t been filled out on the sheet already. If the sheet has been filled out already for pairs and their name isn’t on it, then they may not play.
(c) In the event of no players being available for play by 8:30pm then a maximum result of 6-0 will be awarded against the absent team. (If the same team does this 3 times, including cup matches, they will be automatically out of the league). - Home and Away team members are entered on separate halves of the score sheet so that the games are drawn up randomly. The sheet is only reunited once both teams have entered names. The Away team must not have prior knowledge of the name order before start of first game.
- Each venue to pay £45 per team to enter the league (payable before the first match). League entry remains the property of the venue, not the players. Teams will no longer be able to relocate during the season unless the venue closes. A suitable venue can be obtained as a replacement but this has to be agreed by the committee.
- On top of the £45, a £10 food fine deposit will be paid. If a team doesn’t use this during the season, it doesn’t need repaying the following season. If it’s used, it will need repaying before entering the next season. A food fine could occur if a match is cancelled later that 5:30pm on the Tuesday evening of the match if the aggrieved venue has already started preparing food. A food fine will be 9decided by the committee and this will be final. If a team does this twice in a season, then the second fine will need to paid straight away by the venue.
- If a team drops out of the league in the 1st half of the season all points are removed from the league table. If a team drops out in the second half of the season, their first half points will count on the table for their opponents, but only up to halfway.
- No matches can be cancelled except under rule 29
- A Minimum of 3 players must turn up to each game, this way a team can still achieve a result (draw) (3 singles, captains nomination and 1 pair) rule 22c applies if less turn up. If no players arrive at the venue, aggrieved team returns sheet to Fixtures Secretary and is awarded maximum 6-0, a captains win and 2 points
- A match can only be cancelled without forfeiting the match points by a committee decision. Requests will be heard by the committee and voted on. Members of the committee whose matches may be affected by a cancellation request shall not vote on the request.
The Committee decision is final.
All other cancellations will result in a maximum 6-0 loss. Forfeiting team must contact the other team. If a team cannot make a fixture, Prior notice is to be given to the Fixtures Secretary, the Team Captain and the Pub/Club. If the same team does this 3 times, they will be automatically out of the league. A (£10 max) food fine may be payable if not enough prior notice is given by the forfeiting team. - All result sheets should be filled in properly and signed by each captain. Sheets should reach the fixtures secretary on the Tuesday evening of the match via photo / screen shot. Failure to do so by the Wednesday evening may result in BOTH teams receiving 0 points for that match. It doesn’t matter who sends the sheet photo.
- The Landlord/Landlady/Licensee has full control over who is and who isn’t permitted inside their venue. The Pool league Committee will not get involved in situations where players have been barred from a venue and will fully respect the decisions made.
- If a venue doesn’t permit certain types of clothing worn (hats, caps, vests etc), or Vaping inside the premises, this also has to be adhered to by all players visiting and playing at the venue.
- Finals night will be held at the winning league team venue.
Points will be allocated by 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw. The league shall be decided at the end of the season by
1) match points, then
if level 2) leg difference,
if level 3) frames for,
if level 4) matches between the two teams combined.
If all of the above are equal, then a 1 match, 9 frame play off at a neutral venue will be played with no captains nomination match - With 2 divisions, promotion will be 1 team up and 1 team down. Each season promotion and relegation will be discussed and altered accordingly or when necessary as it may change per season depending on league entries.
Competition Rules
- Competition fees £3 per head. This must be paid with entry and before the Draws.
- Match dates and details will be available via the Fixtures Secretary only.
- Competition matches must be played on the advertised date as voted at the meeting.
- Only enter the singles and pairs competitions if you can make BOTH the first and second round dates. The 1st and 2nd round dates of competitions will not be moved for any reason unless the committee agrees. The committee will try to be as flexible as possible, to a point, with the Semi finals and Final to help the participants out. The committee decision will be final and will not be up for discussion.
- Play to start at 8pm for both singles and pairs. All players to arrive before 8pm. Players arriving late for their matches and are not present to play will forfeit their entry.
- All results to the Fixtures Secretary by the Wednesday following a match.
Singles
- All players must have played at least 1 game, in the current season prior to the date of entry/draws for the first round
- Matches must be played on the designated and advertised dates as voted for at the meeting. Do not enter if you can’t make BOTH the first and second round dates. (See above)
- Toss a coin for break in the 1ST frame, whoever wins the tosscan break or pass it to their opponent. From then, it’s alternate breaks. If a deciding frame is needed, toss a coin for the break in the decider.
- 1st round best of 3 frames.
Second Round best of 5 frames
Semi-finals best of 7
Final best of 9 frames.
Pairs
- All players must have played at least 1 game, in the current season prior to the date of entry/draws for the first round.
- Players can pair with any other player from the current league. Players must state which team they represent. Do not enter if you cannot make BOTH the first and second round dates. (See above)
- Toss a coin for break in the 1st frame, whoever wins the toss can break or pass it to their opponent. From then, it’s alternate breaks. If a deciding frame is needed, toss a coin for the break in the decider.
- No substitution is allowed after a first match has been played by a Pair. You must play with the partner named on the entry sheet unless authorised by committee.
- 1st and 2nd round best of 3 frames.
1/4 finals best of 5 Semi-finals best of 7 Final best of 9 frames.
8 BALL RULES
1) THE GAME
The game shall be known as 8 ball pool and referred to in these rules as “the game”. It is intended that the players and teams should play the game in the true spirit of the game and in a sportsman like manner. It should be clearly understood that the referee is the sole judge of what is fair and unfair play. The referee will take whatever action is necessary to ensure that these rules are observed.
2) REQUIREMENTS OF THE GAME
The game is played on a rectangular 6 pocket table. Balls comprise of 7 red balls, 7 yellow
balls, 1 black ball and 1 cue ball.*Other object ball colours have to be agreed by the committee
3) OBJECT OF THE GAME
The player or team pocketing all their group of object balls and then legally pocketing the
black ball, wins the game.
4) COMMENCEMENT OF THE GAME (or re-start)
a The balls are racked with the black ball on the black spot which is at the intersection of the centre and corner pockets.
b Break off in every frame is determined by coin toss. A home referee asks the away player to call and vice versa.
The home team will referee the first frame and then alternate until the match is finished.
c The opening player plays at the racked balls by striking the cue ball from any position on or behind baulk line. An object ball must be pocketed, or at least two object balls hit any cushions. Failure to do so is a foul break and will result in the balls being re-racked. The opposing player then starts the game with two visits. Failure to break legally will result in the balls being re-racked and the first player then has two visits.
d If the black ball is pocketed from the break. The balls will be re-racked and the game will be re-started by the same player.
e. If a player pockets a ball or balls from the break they MUST nominate which colour they will play next ( even if obvious) If they choose a colour that has been pocketed off the break there is no need to pocket from the next shot to remain that colour but if they choose a colour not pocketed from the break they must then pocket that colour ball or the opponent will have an open table next visit as no legal ball has been potted.
The only time you need to nominate is if you pot from the break (single colour or both) or if a player comes to an ‘open’ table and pots one of each colour with an ‘open’ visit. Failing to nominate in both incidences results in a foul being called.
If a player breaks and nothing goes down, the next player doesn’t have to nominate.
On the FIRST occasion a player legally pockets an object ball, INCLUDING following a foul, then that ball denotes their group, unless one or more of both groups are pocketed, the player MUST then nominate a group before play continues.
f If no object ball is pocketed from a legal break, then the players continue alternatively until
such time a legal pot is made.
g If a foul is committed and one or more object balls are pocketed before playing groups are
decided, then those balls are ignored and the next player may play at any ball on the table
including the black for the first shot, the first legal pot to determine group as 4f.
h Combination shots are allowed, providing that the player hits one of their own group first, or
any ball after a foul.
I If a player or referee believes any shot requires an extra pair of eyes. The 2 captains shall be called to the table to view the shot. The referee will still have the ultimate decision.
FOULS
a In off (cue ball pocketed).
b Hitting the black ball or opponents balls with the cue ball on first impact of cue ball except with the first shot following any foul and on the break.
c Failing to hit any ball with cue ball.
d Jump-shot, defined when the cue ball jumps over any part of any ball before making contact with any ball.
e Potting any opponent’s ball, except with the first shot following any foul.
f Ball off the table. 1) Any ball shall be deemed off the table if it comes to rest other than on the bed of the table. 2) Any object ball and black ball shall be returned to the black ball spot or as near as possible to that spot without touching any other ball in a line between that spot and the centre of bottom cushion.
g If a players body or clothing should touch any ball. Except the cue ball after a foul is called.
h Player not having at least one foot on the floor.
i Playing or touching with the cue any ball other than the cue ball.
j Striking the cue ball with any part of the cue other than the tip.
k Playing out of turn in scotch pairs
I Playing before balls have come to rest.
m Playing before any balls require re-spotting.
n Striking the cue ball with the cue more than once.
o Failing to nominate.
p Failing to pot an object ball or drive at least two object balls to any cushions on the break.
PENALTY FOLLOWING ANY FOUL
a Following any foul the offending player loses their next visit to the table giving the opponent two consecutive visits to the table.
b If the cue ball comes to rest on the playing surface then the player having two visits may play from where the cue ball lies or can play the cue ball from any position on or behind the baulk line and in any direction. Players are advised to ask the referee to hand the cue ball.
c On the first shot only of the first visit the player may without nomination play the cue ball onto any ball without penalty. (They do not have to call ‘free ball’) If any object ball is pocketed then the player continues with the first visit.
The black ball can be pocketed on the first visit if the player in control of the table has no object balls left. This would result in the frame being won. This can happen by any combination of shots (ie. You can play the opponents balls onto the black to pot it).
However the player must not pot the black ball if they still have object ball left on the table, this would result in loss of frame.
When the player fails to pot a ball on the first or consequent shot of the first visit, play then continues with the second visit.
LOSS OF GAME
a If the player pockets the black ball before all the balls in their own group, except on the break.
b A player going in off the black ball when the black ball is pocketed.
c A player pocketing the black ball and any other ball on the same shot, except following a
foul when only the black ball and balls of the opponent group are on the table, then the first shot of the first visit the player may legally pocket the black ball as well as balls of the opponents group by any combination and in any order.
d A player who clearly fails to make any attempt to play a ball of their own group
GENERAL
a Cue ball touching opponents ball or black ball, the player must play a ball of their own group. Except after a foul. Cue ball touching any ball legally entitled to play. The player can play away from the touching ball and be deemed to have played that ball.
b When a player has the cue ball in hand, the ball can be played from any position on or behind the baulk line and in any direction.
c A player is said to be in control of the table from the time that their body, cue or clothing touches the table prior to their shot. Any balls that fall into pockets during this period including the black ball are said to have been pocketed, the player in control being liable to any penalty or benefits. However once the cue ball has been struck, a legal shot must be completed, a ball falling in does not cancel out any foul.
d Push shots are NOT ALLOWED
e Any coaching in singles may be seen as unsportsmanlike and could result in a warning or a foul being given against
f The referee is in sole charge of each frame.
g The Referee’s decision is Final. Players must not try to influence the referee’s decision or change his mind. Only his decision counts.
h The referee can ask players to speed up play if he/she feels that it needs to be or if he/she feels that pairs are taking too long conferring before their visit.
STALEMATE
Should any situation arise where a legal shot is impossible to play, then the game shall be re-started by the player who started that frame. If in the opinion of the referee, neither player is allowing the game to progress or a stalemate situation has arisen, then the game shall be re-started by the player who started that frame. The referee should not allow numerous visits with neither player making any attempt to play the opening pot which decides the playing group, unless it is felt progress is being made. If the player who started that frame did so by virtue of their opponents making a foul break, that player will break on any re-start and not the player
who made the foul break.
GUIDANCE
a Coaching is deemed unsportsmanlike behaviour (see rule 1)
b A referee may only if requested, advise on rules of the game.