Pub Pool Rules

1. THE GAME


The game shall be known as "8 Ball Pool", "Pool" or "Pub Pool" and referred to in these rules as "The Game". It is intended that the game be played in good spirit and in a sportsmanlike manner. The game is played on a pub pool table with 16 balls.


2. OBJECT OF THE GAME


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

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


The balls are racked as illustrated with the black on the black spot


Order of play is determined by the flip of a coin on first game then alternate breaks thereafter.


On breaking 2 balls must hit the back cushion or a legal ball potted
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.


If the black is pocketed from the break shot, the balls will be re-racked and the same player will restart the game. No penalty will be incurred. This applies even if a foul shot is played.


If the Cue Ball is potted on a fair break it is deemed a foul that is penalised by the turn passing to the opponent who then has 2 shots.

Colours are determined by the first legally potted object ball. If one or more balls of both sets of object balls are potted then that player must nominate his group of object balls.


If a foul is committed, before groups are decided, then those balls are ignored in determining the groups to be played.


If a ball, or balls, are legally pocketed, this entitles the player to one additional shot and this continues until the player either:
i. Fails to pocket one of their own set of allocated balls, or
ii. Commits a foul at any time.


4. STANDARD FOULS


In off (white pocketed) -  


Hitting an opponent's ball before hitting one of your own.  


Failing to hit any ball with the white.


Jump Shot.


Hitting the black ball before hitting one of your own if there are balls of your own colour remaining unless it is called on a free table. 


Potting any opponent's ball unless called on a free table.


Ball off the table.

• Any object ball or the black ball, shall be returned to the black spot, or as near as possible to that spot without touching any other ball, in direct line between that spot and the centre of the baulk line.
•  If the white, then the white played from behind the baulk line.

If a player's body or clothing should touch any ball. 


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


Playing or touching with the cue any ball other than the white. 


Striking the white with any part of the cue other than the tip. 


Playing out of turn.


Playing before all balls have come to rest. 


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


Striking the white with the cue more than once. 


Playing a push shot.


Failing to nominate when required to do so. 


Foul break as defined above.


5. PENALTY FOLLOWING A STANDARD FOUL


The offending player loses their next visit to the table, giving their opponent two visits to the table. If the white has come to rest on the playing surface, then the player having two visits may proceed to play from where the white lies, or the white may be played from baulk. Moving the white to baulk does not count as a shot, or visit.


On the first shot only of the first visit, the oncoming player may, without nomination, play the white on to any ball without penalty, including any opponent's ball, or black ball.

• If any object ball is pocketed directly, or by combination, the player is deemed to have pocketed a legal ball, and continues with the first visit.
• The player must not pot the black ball, unless they are on the black ball. 

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.


6. LOSS OF GAME


If a player pockets the black ball before all the balls in their own group, the player loses the game.


A player going in off the black ball when the black ball is pocketed loses the game.


A player pocketing the black ball and any other ball on the same shot will lose the game. Except following a foul when only the black ball 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 black ball as well as ball(s) of the opponent's group by any combination and in any order.


A player who clearly fails to make any attempt to play a ball of their own group will lose the game.


If a player seeks to gain advantage by deliberately touching a moving ball or retrieving a ball dropping into the pocket he/she shall lose the game.
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7. GENERAL


Touching ball must not move when shot is taken

• Touching opponent's ball or black ball - the player MUST play a ball of their own group.
• Touching any ball the player is legally entitled to play - the player must play away from the touching ball, and be deemed to have played that ball.

Player in control

• A player is said to be in control of the table from the time their body, cue, or clothing touches the table prior to their shot, throughout the visit, and up until the opponent does likewise prior to their visit. Any balls falling in when a player is in control shall be deemed to have been part of that players visit.

Completion of game

• The game is completed when the black ball is pocketed in any pocket, and all the remaining balls have come to rest.

8. STALEMATE


Should any situation arise whereby a legal shot is impossible to play, then the frame shall be restarted .


If, in the opinion of the referee, neither player is allowing the game to progress or a stalemate situation has arisen, then the frame shall be restarted.




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9. LOCAL RULES YEAR 2017/2018


ORDER OF PLAY IS DETERMINED BY THE TOSS OF A COIN ON THE FIRST FRAME THEN ALTERNATE BREAKS THEREAFTER.


1. Maximum 14 registered players per team.
2. All players must be registered prior to playing in the league.
3. No players under the age of 16 allowed.
4. First game to start at 8.00pm sharp.
5. Winning team to send in results.
6. All results must be received by Mick Osborne by first post Tuesday,or scanned and emailed     to address on contact page
7. Late results will cost the winning team 2 points.
8. Any team canceling a match must give at least 24 hours notice and rearrange the match within 14 days or by the end of the season which ever is closest. Failure to play on the designated day set will also result in a 9 - 0 win being awarded to opposing team.
9. All finals nights will be held at the committee's discretion.
10. No persons under any circumstances are allowed to play for multiple teams.
11. Only registered players are allowed to play.
12. All league matches and competition tables to be financed by the landlord.
13. Captains to agree whether referees are to be used or not.
14. Push shots and deliberate fouls are not allowed.
15. The player breaking may place the ball anywhere behind the line.
16. On any foul shot player will have the choice of playing the white from where it stands or placing the ball anywhere behind the line.
17. All shots must be taken within a two minute period (referees discretion).
18. A playoff will take place if two teams are level on points with the same amount of wins for title or runners up. The same will apply in relegation battle. Matches to be played at neutral venues.
19. 3 man competition teams to toss a coin for the breaks.
20. If a player calls a foul on him or herself that the referee does not see the players decision will stand.
21.All players must be registered before playing a match and NO new registrations after 20^th December 
22. Teams playing unregistered players will be deducted 2 points
23. League matches to consists of 12 frames 10 singles and 2 doubles 1 point will be awarded for each frame won.

24. Food to be provided for team knockouts as per league nights.
25. Teams or individuals having won trophies must attend the presentation night to receive them.
26. Team knockouts to be in same 12 frame format, should this end in a draw team captains designate a player to play a deciding frame.
27. All competition matches to be played at designated venue, failure to comply will result in players being removed from competition.
28.  No rearrangements for competitions unless hospital/emergency
29. In order to enter competitions players must have played at least 25% of league matches to be eligible