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.
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
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.
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 Order of play is determined by the Home Team who assumes first Ref. and offers the choice of a flip of a coin to the Away Team Player. The winner of the flip then has the option of breaking or requesting their opponent to do so. After the first game, the Away Team then Refs. the second game, alternating Refs. 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. If they choose a colour that has been pocketed off the break there is no need to pocket from the next shot, but if they choose a colour not pocketed from the break they must then pocket that colour ball or the opponent will have a free table next visit as no legal ball would have been pocketed.
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.
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.
l 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. If any object ball is pocketed then the player continues with the first visit. However the player must not pot the black ball which would be loss of frame, except if the player was on the black ball. 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.
LEAGUE RULES (Witham Friendly Pool League)
A.G.M. to be held at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the season. The date of A.G.M. must be advertised at least 2 weeks before.
Chairman to be elected at A.G.M. by majority vote.
Committee members will be elected at A.G.M. 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 a maximum of 2 extra committee members.
At all committee meetings there must be committee members and the chairman present.
Pool rules to be amended at A.G.M. only and must have proposal and seconder.
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 and finals must be played on a neutral table.
Clubs/venues must be given 48 hrs notice of any competitions to be held there.
E.P.A. rules to be played with exceptions (refer to printed sheet).
All matches to be played as 6 singles, 1 x Captain’s match & 3 pairs. The Captain can only be substituted by the V/Captain and only if the Captain is not present. Home team to supply first referee and then alternate. Toss for break. 1 point for each frame (max 10 points per match).
No coaching. Partners may confer in doubles only until it is their turn to play. Partners may confer after the break-off shot.
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 allowed.
Any 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 will be altered if player affects results.
Home team must enter singles players by 8:00 pm. A player must be at a venue by 8:00 pm. Play must commence or loss of frame occurs to defaulting team. A second player must be available for play at 8:15 pm or a second frame may be claimed. Declared players who arrive after 9:00 pm are not eligible to play. Players who are there before 9:00 pm and not listed in the singles are entitled to play in the doubles. In the event of no players being available for play by 8:30 pm, a result of 10–0 will be awarded against the absent team. (If the same team does this 3 times, they will be automatically out of the league.)
17a) 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 £35 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.
If a team drops out of the league in the first half of the season, all points are deducted from halfway in the season.
No matches can be cancelled except under Rule 22.
A minimum of 3 players and the Captain or Vice Captain (who will be entitled to play a singles match and the Captain’s/V-Captain’s match) must turn up to each game. Rule 17 applies if fewer turn up. If no players arrive at the venue, the aggrieved team returns the sheet to the Fixtures Secretary and is awarded 10–0 and 2 points. Rule 18 applies if no notification is given to the home team. (If the same team does this again, they will be automatically out of the league.)
A match can only be cancelled without forfeiting the match points by a committee decision. All other cancellations will result in a 10–0 loss. The forfeiting team must contact the other team. If a team cannot make a fixture, 48 hrs notice is to be given to the Fixtures Secretary, the Team Captain and the Pub/Club. If the same team does this again, they will be automatically out of the league.
All result sheets should be filled in properly and signed by each captain. All games that are cancelled should be confirmed with the Fixtures Secretary. Sheets should reach the Fixtures Secretary by the Wednesday following the match via photo/screenshot.
Finals night will be held at the winning league team venue.
Points will be allocated as follows:
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
2) Leg difference (if level)
3) Frames for (if still level)
4) Matches between the two teams combined
Captains Cup will be run on a separate table but will also count as a match point too.
Only the Captain or the Vice Captain can play the Captain’s match, BUT the Captain MUST play it ahead of the Vice if he/she is there. If neither are available, it will go down as a loss to whoever can’t provide one.
COMPETITION RULES
Competition fees: £3 per head.
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.
Entry fees as shown on entry form.
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.
Matches must be played on the designated and advertised dates as voted for at the meeting.
1st and 2nd round: best of 3 frames. Semi-finals: best of 5. Final: best of 7 frames.
PAIRS
All players must have played at least 1 game in the current season prior to the date of entry.
Players can pair with any other player from the current league. Players must state which team they represent, and which one will be the home venue. Do not enter if you cannot make any of the advertised dates.
No coaching. Partners may confer in doubles only until it is their turn to play and after break-off shot.
No substitution is allowed after the first game has been played. You must play with the partner named on the entry sheet.
1st and 2nd round: best of 3 frames. Semi-finals: best of 5. Final: best of 7 frames.