OFFICIAL 8 BALL POOL RULES

Eardisley Summer Pool League

It is the responsibility of the home team to ensure that the playing table is reasonably level and fit for play

House Rules
1. Eardisley Summer Pool League is an invitation only League.
2. Matches shall be governed by the English Pool Association Official Rules (as below) with some amendments. 5(p) Push Shot is allowed.
3. Two points are awarded for a match win and One point for a match draw. All matches should commence at 8:30pm. A leeway of 15 minutes is allowed but any team not turning up by 8:45pm will forfeit 1 frame for each 15 minutes extra until 9:30pm after which the game will be awarded to the attending side 6-0.
4. Matches must be played on the date specified on the fixture list. if weather conditions or special circumstances cause difficulties, a fixture may be re-arranged subject to the agreement of both teams.
MATCHES MUST BE CANCELLED BY 13:00hrs (1:00pm) ON THE DAY OF THE MATCH OTHERWISE THE OPPOSITION WILL BE AWARDED 6-0. If the match is cancelled it is the responsibility of the opposing team to offer two alternative dates within two weeks of the date of the fixture. A member of the committee must be informed of the arrangements.
5. No player who has played for one team may play for another in the same season.
6. Teams may play matches with a minimum of three players but forfeits apply, One singles game and one doubles game will be awarded as wins to the opposing team. If both teams play with the minimum three players then the match will be played as 3 singles and 1 pair game.

COMPETITION TEAMS REQUIRE FOUR PLAYERS, SHOULD A TEAM TURN UP WITH FEWER PLAYERS THE MATCH IS AWARDED TO THE OPPOSING TEAM.
7. Result cards must be returned to the New Strand within the same week that the match was played. It is the responsibility of the WINNING TEAM (or home side in the event of a draw) to ensure that the card is returned. Please ensure that the team members playing and the date are entered on the top of the card. if the card is not returned by the following Monday the score shall be ascertained by the committee and the DEDUCTION OF ONE POINT WILL BE TAKEN FROM THE WINNING SIDE (or home side in the event of a draw). Teams playing the New Strand may hand the card to the acting captain.
8. Match cards must be completed with FULL names (no nick names) and the playing order is seeded with the best members of a team playing first, the next best seeded player playing next and so on. It is the decision of the acting team captain on the playing order of their team members if those members have the same seeded position. The card is to be completed blind. Home teams should insert their players names on the card, fold it and hand it to the oppositions captain to complete. eardisley.com shall be the only source of team member seeded positions.
9. The player of the year is awarded to the player with the most wins at the end of the league season. In the event of a tie a play-off will decide the winner.
10. Should any team subject to excessive bad language or other harassment during the course of a match, the offending team may be barred from the league.
11. In the event of a dispute the decision of the committee will be final.
12. The League is run by individuals for the benefit of it's members and is operated in good faith, it shall therefore not be possible for the League, it's committe members or any playing member to be sued in any area relating to the Leagues activities and decisions. By participating in the League activities as a playing member, team or Public House Landlord it is deemed that you agree to these rules.

Rules - The English Pool Association

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 numbered groups, 1-7 which are solid coloured balls, 9-15 are striped coloured balls, the 8 ball is a solid colour black. Alternatively, the numerical groups 1-7 and 9-15 may be represented by two different sets of 7 coloured balls. Usually red replaces stripes (9-15), yellow replace solid (1-7). Balls in the two groups are known as object balls.

3. OBJECT OF THE GAME

The player or team pocketing all their group of object balls in any order, and then legally pocketing the 8 ball, wins the game.

4. COMMENCEMENT OF THE GAME (OR RE-START)

a).The balls are racked as illustrated (see on left) with the 8 ball (black) on the 8 ball spot, which is at the intersection of the centre and corner pockets.

b).Order of play is determined by the flip of a coin. The winner of the flip has the option of breaking, or requesting their opponent to do so.

c).The opening player plays at the triangle of object balls by striking the cue ball from any position on, or behind, the baulk line. An object ball must be pocketed, or at least TWO object balls hit any cushion. Failure to do so is a foul break and will result in the balls be re-racked as in 4a. The opposing player then starts the game with two visits.

d).If the 8 ball (black) is pocketed from the break shot, the balls will be re-racked and the game will be restarted by the same player. No penalty will be incurred. This applies even if other balls, including the cue ball, are pocketed, or leave the playing surface ("off the table").

e).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 playing at either group until such a time as a legal pot is made, which decides the player's group.

g).If a foul is committed, (other than as in rule 4d), and one or more object balls are pocketed before playing groups are decided, then those balls are ignored in determining the groups to be played. The oncoming player may play at any ball on the table, including the 8 ball (black) for the first shot, the first legal pot to determine the group as in rule 4e.

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 their own set of allocated balls, or; (2)Commits a foul at any time.

i).Combination shots are allowed, providing the player hits one of their own group first, or any ball with the first shot following any foul (see rule 6c).

5. FOULS

a).In off (cue ball pocketed).

b).Hitting an opponents ball(s) with the cue ball on first impact of the cue ball, except with the first shot following any foul.

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 ball.

e).Hitting the 8 ball (black) with the cue ball on first impact of the cue ball before all their own group are pocketed, except with the first shot following any foul.

f).Potting any opponent's ball, except with the first shot following any foul.

g).Ball off the table.

    i).Any object ball or the 8 ball (black), shall be returned to the 8 ball spot (see rule 4a), or as near as possible to that spot without touching any other ball, in direct line between that spot and the centre of the string line.

    ii).If the cue ball, then the cue ball played from in hand (see rule 8b general). A ball shall be deemed "off the table" if it comes to rest anywhere other than on the bed of the table.

h).If a player's body or clothing should touch any ball. Except the cue ball after the referee calls a "foul", when the player is entitled to the cue ball in hand (see rule 6b).

i).Player not having at least part of one foot on the floor.

j).Playing or touching with the cue any ball other than the cue ball.

k).Striking the cue ball with any part of the cue other than the tip.

l).Playing out of turn.

m).Playing before all balls have come to rest.

n).Playing before any ball(s) require re-spotting are re-spotted.

o).Striking the cue ball with the cue more than once.

p).Push shot - defined as where the cue tip remains in contact with the cue ball for more than the momentary time commensurate with a normal stroked shot, or the cue tip remains in contact with the cue ball once it has commenced it's forward motion.

q).Failing to nominate when balls of both groups are pocketed with the first legal pot.

r).Foul break, failing to pot an object ball or drive at least two object balls to hit any cushions.

6. PENALTY FOLLOWING ANY FOUL

a).Following any foul the offending player loses their next visit to the table, giving their opponent two consecutive visits to the table.

b).If the cue ball has come to rest on the playing surface, then the player having two visits may proceed to play from where the cue ball lies, or the cue ball may be played from any position on or behind the baulk line. Moving the cue ball in this manner does not count as a shot, or visit. (Players are advised to ask the referee to hand them the cue ball).

c).On the first shot only of the first visit, the oncoming player may, without nomination, play the cue ball on to any ball without penalty, including any opponent's ball(s), or 8 ball (black). If any object ball(s) is pocketed directly, or by combination, the player is deemed to have pocketed a legal ball(s), and continues with the first visit. However, the player must not pot the 8 ball (black), which would mean loss of game. Except if the player is on the 8 ball (black), then the game would be won. When the player fails to pot a ball on the first or subsequent shot of the first visit, play then continues with the second visit. The second visit is deemed to have started when the cue ball is struck on the first shot of the second visit.

7. LOSS OF GAME

a).If a player pockets the 8 ball (black) before all the balls in their own group, except on the break (see rule 4d), the player loses the game.

b).A player committing any foul whilst pocketing the 8 ball (black) except on the break (rule 4d) loses the game.

c).A player pocketing 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(s) of the opponents group are on the table, then with the first shot of the first visit, the player may legally pocket the 8 ball (black) as well as ball(s) of the opponent's 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 will lose the game.

8. GENERAL

a).Touching ball.

    i).If the cue ball is touching an object ball, the player must play away from the ball. To move the object ball is a foul.

    ii).If the cue ball is touching any ball the player is legally entitled to play, then the player is deemed to have played that ball. Should the cue ball fail to make contact with any ball or strike an opponent's ball or 8 ball (black) then the shot is fair, no foul.

b).Cue ball in hand.

    When a player has the cue ball in hand, the ball is played from any position on, or behind, the baulk line, and in any direction.

c).Player in control

    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, throughout the visit(s), and up until the opponent does likewise prior to their visit. Any ball(s) which fall into pockets during this period, (including the 8 ball (black)) are said to have been pocketed, the player in control being liable to any penalties or benefits normally awarded for the pocketing of the ball(s). 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).Completion of game.

    The game is completed when the 8 ball (black) is pocketed legally in any pocket, and all the remaining balls have come to rest, except on the break (see rule 4d).

9. STALEMATE

Should any situation arise whereby a legal shot is IMPOSSIBLE to play, then the game shall be restarted by the player who started that frame, whether this situation has been 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 restarted by the player who started that frame. The referee shall not allow numerous visits with neither player making any attempt to make the opening pot which decides the playing groups (unless it is felt that progress is being made). If the player who started that frame did so by virtue of their opponent making a foul break, that player will break on any restart, not the opponent who made the foul break.

GUIDANCE

a).The term "SHOT" means striking the cue ball once.

b).The term "VISIT" refers to the one turn at the table, comprising of one or a series of shots.

c).The term "BREAK" refers to the first shot of a game, or the first shot of a game being restarted.

d).Coaching is deemed unsportsmanlike behaviour. (see rule 1).

e).A referee may, only if requested, advise on the rules of the game.