Tournament Pocket Billiards
4.
EIGHT-BALL
Except when clearly contradicted by these
additional rules, the General Rules of Pocket Billiards apply.
4.1
OBJECT OF THE GAME
Eight-Ball is a call shot game played with a cue ball and 15 object balls,
numbered 1 through 15. One player must pocket balls of the group numbered 1
through 7 (solid colors), while the other player has 9 through 15 (stripes). The
player pocketing either group first, and then legally pocketing the 8-ball wins
the game.
4.2
CALL SHOT
In Call Shot, 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. Bank
shots and combination shots are not considered obvious, and care should be taken
in calling both the object ball and the intended pocket. 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. The opening break is not a "called shot." Any player
performing a break shot in 8-Ball may continue to shoot so long as any object
ball is legally pocketed on the break.
4.3
RACKING THE BALLS
The balls are racked in a triangle at the foot of the table with the 8-ball in
the center of the triangle, the first ball of the rack on the foot spot, a
stripe ball in one corner of the rack and a solid ball in the other corner.
4.4
ORDER OF THE BREAK
Winner of the lag has the option to break. In 8-Ball the winner of each game
breaks in the next unless otherwise specified by the tournament organizer. The
following are common options that may be designated by tournament officials in
advance:
(a) Players
alternate break.
(b) Loser
breaks.
(c) Player
trailing in game count breaks the next game.
4.5
LEGAL BREAK SHOT
(Defined) To execute a legal break, the breaker (with the cue ball behind the
head string) must either (1) pocket a ball, or (2) drive at least four numbered
balls to the rail. When the breaker fails to make a legal break, it is a foul,
and the incoming player has the option of (1) accepting the table in position
and shooting, or (2) having the balls reracked and having the option of shooting
the opening break or allowing the offending player
to rebreak.
4.6
SCRATCH ON A LEGAL BREAK
If a player scratches on a legal break shot, (1) all balls pocketed remain
pocketed (exception, the 8-ball: see rule 4.9), (2) it is a foul, (3) the table
is open. Please Note: The incoming player has cue ball in hand behind the head
string and may not shoot an object ball that is behind the head string, unless
he first shoots the cue ball past the head string and causes the cue ball to
come back behind the head string and hit the object ball.
4.7
OBJECT BALLS JUMPED OFF TABLE ON
THE BREAK
If a player jumps an object ball off the table on the break shot, it is a foul
and the incoming player has the option of (1) accepting the table in position
and shooting, or (2) taking cue ball in hand behind the head string and
shooting.
4.8
8-BALL POCKETED ON THE BREAK
If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break, breaker may ask for a rerack or have the
8-ball spotted and continue shooting. If the breaker scratches while pocketing
the 8-ball on the break, the incoming player has the option of a rerack or
having the 8-ball spotted and begin shooting with ball in hand behind the head
string.
4.9
OPEN TABLE
(Defined) The table is "open" when the choice of groups (stripes or
solids) has not yet been determined. When the table is open, it is legal to hit
a solid first to make a stripe or vice-versa. Note: The table is always open
immediately after the break shot. When the table is open, it is legal to hit any
solid or stripe first in the process of pocketing the called stripe or solid.
However, when the table is open and the 8-ball is the first ball contacted, it
is a foul and no stripe or solid may be scored in favor of the shooter. The
shooter loses his turn; the incoming player is awarded cue ball in hand; any
balls pocketed remain pocketed; and the incoming player addresses the balls with
the table still open. On an open table, all illegally pocketed balls remain
pocketed.
4.10
CHOICE OF GROUP
The choice of stripes or solids is not determined on the break even if balls are
made from only one or both groups, because the table is always open immediately
after the break shot. The choice of group is determined only when a player
legally pockets a called object ball after the break shot.
4.11
LEGAL SHOT
(Defined) On all shots (except on the break and when the table is open), the
shooter must hit one of his group of balls first and (1) pocket a numbered ball,
or (2) cause the cue ball or any numbered ball to contact a rail. Please Note:
It is permissible for the shooter to bank the cue ball off a rail before
contacting the object ball; however, after contact with
the object ball, an object ball must be pocketed, or the cue ball or any
numbered ball must contact a rail. Failure to meet these requirements is a foul.
4.12
"SAFETY" SHOT
For tactical reasons, a player may choose to pocket an obvious object ball and
also discontinue a turn at the table by declaring "safety" in advance.
A safety shot is defined as a legal shot. If the shooting player intends to play
safe by pocketing an obvious object ball, then prior to the shot, the shooter
must declare a "safety" to the opponent. It is the shooter’s
responsibility to make the opponent aware of the intended safety shot. If this
is not done, and one of the shooter's object balls is pocketed, the shooter will
be required
to shoot again. Any ball pocketed on a safety shot remains pocketed.
4.13
SCORING
A player is entitled to continue shooting until failing to legally pocket a ball
of his group. After a player has legally pocketed all of his group of balls, he
shoots to pocket the 8-ball.
4.14
FOUL
PENALTY
Opposing player gets cue ball in hand. This means that the player can place the
cue ball anywhere on the table (does not have to be behind the headstring except
on opening break). This rule prevents a player from making intentional fouls
which would put an opponent at a disadvantage. With "cue ball in
hand," the player may use a hand or any part of a cue (including the tip)
to position the cue ball. When placing the cue ball in
position, any forward stroke motion contacting the cue ball will be a foul, if
not a legal shot. (Also see Rule 3.39)
4.15
COMBINATION
SHOTS
Combination shots are allowed; however, the 8-ball can't be used as a first ball
in the combination. Should such contact occur on the 8-ball, it is a foul.
4.16
ILLEGALLY
POCKETED BALLS
An object ball is considered to be illegally pocketed when (1) that object ball
is pocketed on the same shot a foul is committed, or (2) the called ball did not
go in the designated pocket, or (3) a safety is called prior to the shot.
Illegally pocketed balls remain pocketed and are scored in favor of the shooter
controlling that specific group of balls, solids or stripes..
4.17
OBJECT
BALLS JUMPED OFF THE TABLE
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
not respotted
4.18
JUMP AND
MASSE SHOT FOUL
While "cue ball fouls only" is the rule of play when a match is not
presided over by a referee, a player should be aware that it will be considered
a cue ball foul if during an attempt to jump, curve or masse the cue ball over
or around an impeding numbered ball that is not a legal object ball, the
impeding ball moves (regardless of whether it was moved by a hand, cue stick
follow-through or bridge).
4.19
PLAYING
THE 8-BALL
When the 8-ball is the legal object ball, a scratch or foul is not loss of game
if the 8-ball is not pocketed or jumped from the table. Incoming player has cue
ball in hand. Note: A combination shot can never be used to legally pocket the
8-ball, except when the 8-ball is the first ball contacted in the shot sequence.
4.20
LOSS OF
GAME
A player loses the game by committing any of the following infractions:
1.
Fouls when pocketing the 8-ball (exception: see 8-Ball Pocketed On The
Break).
2.
Pockets the 8-ball on the same stroke as the last of his group of balls.
3.
Jumps the 8-ball off the table at any time.
4.
Pockets the 8-ball in a pocket other than the one designated.
5.
Pockets the 8-ball when it is not the legal object ball.
Note: All infractions must be called before another shot is taken, or else it
will be deemed that no infraction occurred.
4.21
STALEMATED
GAME
If, after 3 consecutive turns at the table by each player (6 turns total), the
referee judges (or if no referee, both players agree) that attempting to pocket
or move an object ball will result in loss of game, the balls will be reracked
with the original breaker of the stalemated game breaking again. The stalemate
rule may be applied regardless of the number of balls on the table. Please Note:
Three consecutive fouls by one player in 8-ball is not a loss of game.
****