8-BALL
OFFICIAL RULES OF PLAY
A.
BALLS AND RACKING
1.
The
game is played with one cue ball and 15 numbered object balls.
2.
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 footspot, a stripe ball in
one corner of the rack and a solid ball in the other corner.
3.
The
object of the game is to make one group of numbered object balls, either
stripes or solids, and then LEGALLY POCKET THE 8-BALL.
B.
BREAK SHOT
1.
Start
of play – the home team breaks first and writes their line-up down first. The break will alternate thereafter. During International competition, the
Teams will flip a coin to determine home team.
2.
If
the breaker hits the racked balls with the cue ball driving four or more
numbered balls to a cushion or pocketing one or more object balls, the game is
considered started. If the player fails
to make a legal break, it is not foul; however, the opponent has the option
(1) accepting the table in position and shooting, or (2) have the balls
re-racked and shooting the break himself or have the original breaker re-break.
3.
Stopping
or deflecting the cue ball prior to hitting the racked balls are
considered fouls and loss of turn. The
opponent will receive cue ball in hand behind the headstring.
4.
When
positioning the cue ball for the break shot, the base of the ball must be
behind the headstring (kitchen).
5.
If
a player scratches on a legal break shot, (1) all balls pocketed remain
pocketed (exception, the 8-ball), (2) it is a foul, (3) the
table is open.
PLEASE NOTE:
Incoming player has cue ball in hand behind the headstring and may not
shoot an object ball whose base in not outside the headstring, unless he/she
first shoots the cue ball past the headstring and causes the cue ball to come
back behind the headstring and hit the object ball. If a player positions the cue ball completely
and obviously outside the kitchen and shoots the cue ball, it is a foul, if
called by the opponent.
6.
The
opposing player must inform the breaking player of improper positioning of the
cue ball before the shot is made. If the
opposing player does not so inform the breaking player before the shot is made,
the break is considered legal. If the shooting
player is informed of improper positioning, he/she must then reposition then
cue ball.
7.
Making
The 8-Ball on the Break: (Leagues may
adopt Option #1 or Option #2)
Option #1
An automatic win for the player breaking, however, if the
cue ball is scratched when making the 8-ball on the break, the opponent wins
the game.
Option #2 The breaker may ask for a re-rack or have the 8-ball spotted
and continue shooting. Should the
breaker pocket the 8-ball and scratch, the incoming player has the option of
spotting the 8-ball and shooting from behind the headstring or re-racking and
assuming the break. Using Option #2, a
game cannot be won or lost with an 8-ball on the break, regardless of what is
pocketed on the same shot. During
International Championships and Junior Championships, Option #2 will be used.
8.
If
the player legally breaks the racked balls and does not make any balls, his
opponent then shoots, having an open table.
9.
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 headstring and shooting. Any jumped balls are spotted in numerical
order.
C.
OPEN TABLE
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 or the 8-ball first in the process of pocketing the called
stripe or solid. On an open table, all
pocketed balls remain pocketed. The
choice of stripes or solids is not determined on the break even if balls are
made from only one or more groups. 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.
D.
GAME
In Call
Pocket, 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.
Banks and combinations are not considered obvious and both the object
ball and the
pocket must be called or it is a loss of turn.
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 pocket.” Any
player performing a break shot in 8-ball may continue to shoot his next shot so
long as he has legally pocketed any object ball on the break. When a player has pocketed all of the balls
in his group, he then shoots at the 8-ball, physically designating his pocket
with a pocket marker. The marker is to
be placed on the table completely within the first two diamonds on either side of the pocket. The entire area between the diamonds
included. You do not have to touch or
move the marker if it is already at your intended pocket.
E.
PLAY
1.
If
a shooter inadvertently pockets his opponent’s ball, it remains down; however,
if the shooter does not legally pocket one of his own group,
he loses his turn.
2.
Each
player continues to shoot so long as he legally pockets any of his object balls
(Exception: calling a safety). Should a
player fail to pocket his designated group ball, he shall lose his turn.
3.
If
a player fails to hit the 8-ball while shooting at it, it is a foul and the
game continues. However, if a player
scratches the cue ball while shooting a the 8-ball, he
loses the game, even if the 8-ball remains on the table.
4.
In
the event the cue ball or an object ball stops on the edge of the pocket then
falls into the pocket because of vibrations, fan or stamping of feet, it shall
be replaced on the edge of the pocket as near as possible to its position
before interference.
5.
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 spotted in the numerical order.
6.
SLOW
PLAY RULE. Exaggerated slow play will be
penalized. After a warning, any longer
the ONE MINUTE between shots will be a foul.
The third infraction will result in loss of game. During National competition, referees
judgment will prevail and both players will be timed.
7.
STALEMATED
GAME: If in 3 consecutive turns at the
table by each player (6 turns total), they purposely foul or scratch and both
players agree that attempting to pocket or move an object ball will result in
immediate loss of game, then the game will be considered a stalemate. The balls will then be re-racked and the
breaker of the stalemate game will break again.
PLEASE NOTE:
Three consecutive fouls by one player is not a loss of game.
F.
LOSS OF GAME
1.
Pocketing
the 8-ball when it is not the legal object ball except on an opening break.
2.
Pocketing
the 8-ball on the same stroke as the last of his group of balls.
3.
Scratching
when the 8-ball is his legal object ball.
4.
Jumping
or knocking the 8-ball off the table at any time.
5.
Pocketing
the 8-ball in a pocket other than the one designated.
6.
Fouling
while (pocketing) the 8-ball in the designated pocket.
7.
Third
infraction of the slow play rule.
8.
Pocketing
the 8-ball and the cue ball on the break stroke. (This varies, if your league considers an
8-ball break a win.)
9.
Not
correctly marking the pocket while pocketing the 8-ball.
NOTE:
All infractions above must be called before the next shot is taken.
Only the players
involved may call an infraction.
A.
LEGAL SHOTS
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 any group ball, or (2) cause the
cue ball or any other ball to contact a rail.
(There are
two groups of balls: stripes and solids)
PLEASE
NOTE: It is permissible for the shooter
to bank the cue ball off a rail before contacting his object ball; however,
after contact with his object ball, any group ball must be pocketed, OR the cue
ball or any ball must contact a rail.
“SAFETY”
SHOT: For tactical reasons a player may
choose to pocket an obvious object ball and discontinue his 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, he must declare a “safety” to his
opponent. 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.
B.
FOULING
All fouls
must be called and acknowledged before next shot is taken. (Exception:
scratching)
The
following results in fouls:
1.
Failure
to make a legal shot as noted above.
2.
Shooting
the cue ball into a pocket or off the table.
3.
It
is a foul when a player scratches on the break, or deflects the cue ball prior
to hitting the racked balls. The
incoming player receives (Cue ball in hand behind the headstring).
4.
When
placing the cue ball in position, any forward stroke motion contacting the cue
ball will be a foul, if not a legal shot.
5.
Shooting
without at least one foot touching the floor.
(Junior League exception)
6.
Coaching
is a foul. Any member of a team called
for coaching will result in a foul on the team member shooting.
7.
Object Ball Frozen To Cushion Or Cue Ball. This
applies to any shot where the cue ball’s first contact with a ball is with one
that is frozen to a cushion or to the cue ball itself. After the cue ball makes contact with the
frozen ball, the shot must result in either:
a)
A ball being pocketed, or;
b)
The cue ball contacting a cushion,
or;
c)
The frozen ball being caused to
contact a cushion attached to a separate rail, or;
d)
Another object ball being caused to
contact a cushion with which it was not already in contact.
A ball which is
touching a cushion at the start of a shot and then is forced into a cushion
attached to the same rail is not considered to have been driven to that cushion
unless it leaves the cushion, contacts another ball, and then contacts the
cushion again. An object ball is not
considered frozen to a cushion unless it is examined and announced as such by
either the referee or one of the players prior to that object ball being
involved in a shot.
8.
ACCIDENTALLY moving or touching any ball in not a foul unless: 1) the
moved ball is the cue ball or 2) a moved ball makes contact with the cue ball
or, 3) a moved ball that is jumped off the
table or pocketed or cause any ball to be jumped off the table or
pocketed. (Exception to #3: If the 8-ball is jumped off the table or
pocketed it is a loss of game if called by the opponent before the next shot is
taken). Only opponent may replace the ball moved as closely
as possible or leave it where it rests.
If the shooter replaces the moved ball, it will be considered a foul.
9. Picking up or
shooting the cue ball while any balls are still in motion is a foul.
10.
Push shots and or double hits will be considered fouls.
11.
With cue ball in hand, touching any object ball with the cue ball is a
foul or touching any object ball with your hand while touching the cue ball is
a foul.
12.
When the slow play rule is enforced taking longer than ONE MINUTE
between shots is a foul.
13.
Jumping object balls off the table.
14.
After a scratch on a legal break, if a player positions the cue ball
completely and obviously outside the kitchen and shoots it is a foul.
15.
If your opponent commits a foul and you do not receive his/her
acknowledgement of such foul prior to touching the cue ball you have committed
a foul.
(Exception: scratching)
16.
Illegal
jumping of ball.
I.
PENALTY FOR FOULING
1.
Only
the players involved may call a foul. In
the event of a foul call, the opposing player receives cue ball in hand
anywhere on the table. This means that
the player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table (the cue ball does not
have to be behind the headstring except on opening break immediately after a
foul on the break).
2.
A
player must stop shooting when a foul is called. If a player refuses to yield to a foul call,
the opposing captain may protest.
J.
PROTEST PROCEDURE
1.
Only
the team captain has the authority to protest.
2.
The
League captains will review and make a decision by majority vote.
3.
A
protest must be given to the League president in writing within 48 hours after
the match. The League may ask for a
deposit of FIVE or TEN dollars with the written protest.
4.
The
League president has the right to disregard any protest not properly presented,
such as phone calls or personal contact, before the protest in writing.
5.
A
game may be played and finished under protest, which may alleviate the original
protest.
K.
FORFEITS
1.
Winners
will receive one round point per round forfeited plus one bonus point (total
four) if all rounds are forfeited.
Forfeited team receives zero round points.
2.
The
winning team also receives the equivalent of their team average and the
equivalent 8-ball games if necessary.
3.
Both
teams must pay monies owed to the League to receive further points.
L. VARIATION OF INTERNATIONAL RULES
Rules may
be varied for Local and State use if the
VNEA Rules Committee Chairman is notified in writing, as long as the variation
does not result in an unfair advantage of one team or player over another.
You may
contact:
Valley
National 8-Ball League Association Headquarters
c/o Rules
Committee
M.
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
1.
Unsportsmanlike
conduct is automatic disqualification.
2.
Two
basic types:
a.
One
warning before disqualification.
b.
Immediate
disqualification.