|
8-BALL
[Effective
July 1, 2000]
Except
when clearly contradicted by these additional rules,
the General Rules of Pocket Billiards apply.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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.
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.
ORDER OF BREAK
Winner of the lag has the option to break. The winner
of each game breaks in the next. 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.
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 re-racked and having the option
of shooting the opening break or allowing the offending
player to re-break.
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 4.8), (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.
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.
8.
8-BALL POCKETED ON THE BREAK
If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break, breaker may
ask for a re-rack 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 re-rack or having the 8-ball spotted and begin
shooting with ball in hand behind the head string.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
15.
COMBINATION SHOTS
Combination shots are allowed; however, the 8-ball can’t
be used as a first ball in the combination unless it
is the shooter’s only remaining legal object ball
on the table. Otherwise, should such contact occur on
the 8-ball, it is a foul.
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.
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 re-spotted.
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 mass? 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).
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.
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.
STALEMATED
GAME
If, after 3 consecutive turns at the table by each player
(6 turns total), the referee judges that attempting
to pocket or move an object ball will result in loss
of game, the balls will be re-racked with the original
breaker of the stalemated game breaking again. The stalemate
rule may be applied regard-less 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.
|
Cue
Tips 