The Following are the Rules that Bishop’s
Match-Nights, The Home team should ensure the Pool table has been brushed before the first frame of the match, Fixtures should start at
A Team Must give at least 24 Hours’ Notice about rearranging a match, if not they forfeit the game.
The format of Singles and Gallon leagues will be change to a single table (League) 3 Singles, 3 Pairs and 4 Singles frames will still be played but all the frames count to the match result, therefore a match can result in a draw. If the Away team doesn’t have 6 players, then one Pairs match can be played by a player who has already played, that play is selected by random a random draw.
The Home Team must have 7 Players, they can’t randomly select for any frames, they forfeit any frame that they can’t field players for. The minimum number of players of an away match is 4, they can then play all 3 Pairs matches (by randomly selecting which two players play twice) and they can also select one player by random draw to play a singles frame, so effectively play 8 legs, the other two are forfeited to the home team. We are still playing Scotch Double for the 3 Pairs frame
The Pairs Frames will be played using the Scotch Doubles format. See separate sheet or website for details.
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 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 ensure that these rules are observed.
2. REQUIREMENTS OF THE GAME
The game is played on a rectangular 6-pocket table with 15 balls, plus a cue ball. Balls comprise of two groups, 1—7 which are plain coloured balls, 9—15 which are striped coloured balls, plus the8 ball which is black. Alternatively, the numerical groups 1—7 and 9—15 may be represented by two different colours. Balls in the two groups are known as “object balls”.
3. OBJECT OF THE GAME
The player or team pocketing their group of object balls first in any order and then legally pocketing the 8 ball (black) in the nominated pocket, wins the game. (Note the player should make it clear to the Referee which pocket before they play a shot).
4. COMMENCEMENT OF THE GAME (OR RE-START)
(a) The balls are racked as illustrated (below) with the 8 ball (black) on the 8 ball spot which is at the intersection of the centre and corner pockets.
(c) The opening player plays at the triangle of object balls by striking the cue ball from any position on or behind the Bulk-Line. He/she must pocket a ball or cause at least two object balls to hit a cushion. Failure to do so is a foul break and will result in the balls being re-racked. The opposing player re-starts the game with two visits.
(d) If one or more balls are potted from the Break then the referee must ask the player to nominate his/her choice before play continues.
(e) If no ball is pocketed from a legal break, then the players continue alternatively until such time a ball or balls are pocketed. Combination shots are allowed until the players group has been determined. If no there is not a Legal pot from the Break then on the first occasion a player legally pockets an object ball, including following a foul, then that ball denotes his/her group, unless he/she pockets a plain and a striped ball, when he/she must nominate his/her choice before play continues.
(f) If a foul is committed (other than as rule 4(g)) on the first occasion, one or more object balls are pocketed, then those balls are ignored in determining the groups to be played and the oncoming player plays at any ball on the table.
g) If the player pockets the 8 ball (black) from the break, the game shall be re-started by the same player. No penalty will be incurred. The balls to be re-racked. This applies even if other balls, including the cue ball, are pocketed as well.
(h) If a ball or balls are legally pocketed, this entitles the player to one additional shot and this continues until the player either:
(1) Fails to pocket one of his/her set of allocated balls, or
(2) Commits a foul, at anytime.
5. FOULS
(a) In off (cue ball pocketed).
(b) Hitting opponent’s balls before his/her own ball or balls, except when rule 6(b) applies.
(c) Failing to hit any ball with the cue ball.
(d) Jump shot — defined as when the cue ball jumps over any part of any ball before making contact with any object ball.
(e) If a player hits the 8 ball (black) with the cue ball on the first impact before all his/her own balls have been potted, except when rule 6(b) applies.
(f) Potting any opponent’s ball, except when rule 6(b) applies.
(g) Ball off the table: (See over page for clarification of actions to be taken)
(i) Any object ball or the 8 ball (black), shall be returned to the 8 ball spot (see 4(a)) or as near as possible to that spot without touching any other ball, in a direct line between that spot and the centre of the Bulk-Line.
(ii) If the cue ball, the ball to be played from any position on or behind the Bulk-Line.
A ball shall be deemed to be “off the table” if it comes to rest other than on the bed of the table.
(h) If a player’s clothing or body should touch any ball.
(i) Player not having at least one foot on the floor.
(j) Playing or touching with the cue any ball other than the cue ball.
(k) Playing out of turn.
(l) Playing before balls have come to rest.
(m) Playing before the ball or balls have been re-spotted.
(n) Striking the cue ball with any part of the cue other than the tip.
(o) Striking the cue ball with the cue more than once.
(p) Failing to nominate when rule 4(d) applies.
(q) Foul break (see 4(c)).
6. PENALTY FOLLOWING ANY FOUL
(a) Following any foul the offending player loses his/her next visit to the table, and his/her opponent is entitled to two consecutive visits to the table.
(b} On the first shot only, of his/her first visit, the oncoming player may, without nomination, play the cue ball onto any ball without penalty (including his/her opponents object balls and the 8 ball (black)). If he/she pots any ball or balls directly or by combination he/she is deemed to have potted a legal ball (or balls) and continues his/her first visit. However, he/she may not pot the 8 ball (black), which would mean loss of game, unless he/she is on 8 ball (black). When he/she fails to pot a ball on the first or subsequent shot of his/her first visit, he/she will then start his/her second visit (see rule 4(d)).
(c) If a player is snookered (unable to play a legal full ball shot at any one of his/her own group of object balls) after a foul stroke, then the cue ball may be played from any position on or behind the Bulk-Line and proceed as rule 6 and 6(b). Moving the cue ball in this manner does not count as a shot or visit.
(d) A full ball shot is defined as being able to strike the centre of the object ball directly with the centre of the cue ball.
7 LOSS OFGAME
(a) If a player pockets the 8 ball (black) before he/she pockets all the balls in his/her own group, except as allowed under rule 4(g), he/she loses the game.
(b) A player going in off the 8 ball (black) when the 8 ball (black) is potted, loses the game.
(c) A player potting the 8 ball (black) and any other ball on the same shot will lose the game, except following a foul when only the 8 ball (black) and ball or balls of opponent’s group are on the table, when he/she may legally pot the 8 ball (black) as well as balls of his/her opponent’s group in any order.
(d) A player who clearly fails to make any attempt to play a ball of his/her own group will lose the game.
8. GENERAL
(a) Push stroke.
A push stroke is allowed but a player may play away from a touching ball of his/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 that the cue ball strikes one of his/her own group. When 6(b) applies, a player may play away from any touching ball and be deemed to have played that ball.
(b) Cue ball in hand.
When a player has the cue ball in hand he/she plays from any position on or behind the Bulk-Line and in any direction.
(c} Player in control.
A players said to be in control of the table from the time that his/her body, cue or clothing touches the table prior to his/her shot, through his/her visit and up until his/her opponent does likewise prior to his/her visit. Any balls which fall into the pockets during this period (including 8 ball (black)), he/she is said to have potted and he/she is liable to any penalties or benefits normally awarded to him/her for the potting of that ball or balls as are accorded to him/her in the rules of the game (rule 5(c) applies).
(d) The game is completed when the 8 ball (black) is potted in the nominated pocket and all the remaining balls including the cue ball have come to rest except where rule 4(g) applies.
9. STALEMATE
Should any situation arise whereby a legal shot cannot be played, then the game shall be re-started by the same player whether this situation is arrived at by accident or design. 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 same player.
GUIDANCE
(a) The term “shot” means striking the cue ball once.
(b) The term “visit” refers to one turn at the table comprising of one or a series of shots.
(c) The term “break” refers to the first shot of the game or the first shot of a game being re-started.
(d) Coaching is deemed to be un-sportsmanlike behaviour (see rule 1).
(e) A referee may, if requested, advise on rules of the game.
