- 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.
- 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. The 8 ball is always called, failure to do so may be a loss of game. 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.
- 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 solid ball in the other.
- 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 reracked and have the option of shooting the opening break or allowing the offending player to rebreak.
- 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 7), (2) it is a foul, (3) the table is open. 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.
- OBJECT BALL 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 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-BALL POCKETED ON THE BREAK
If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break, it is a WIN. If the 8 ball is pocketed on the break and the breaker scratches it is a LOSS. It is scored as a 10
and the opponent receives the number of the same group pocketed, if any. If no other balls are pocketed it is scored as a 10-0. Please make note of any 8 ball breaks on your scoresheet.
- 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. 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 anywhere on the table; any balls remain pocketed; and the incoming player addresses the balls with the table still open. On an open table, all illegally pocketed balls remain pocketed.
- 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. The choice of group is determined only when a player legally pockets a called object ball after the break. If the groups have been determined and the player mistakenly shoots at and pockets a ball of the wrong group, the opponent must call a foul on him before he takes his next shot. If he fails to do so, the player automatically takes over the group of balls (solids or stripes) at which he has been shooting during this inning.
- 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. Note: It is permissible for the shooter to bank the cue ball off a rail before contacting 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.
- 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.
- FOUL PENALTY
The opposing player gets cue ball in hand. This means that the player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table (does no have to be behind the head string except on the 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 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.
- 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. Other wise, should such contact occur on the 8-ball, it is a foul.
- 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.
- 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 respotted. They go down.
- 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 masse 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.)
- PLAYING THE 8-BALL
When the 8-ball is the legal object ball, a scratch or foul is not a 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.
- LOSS OF GAME
A player loses the game by committing any of the following infractions:
1. Fouls when pocketing the 8-ball (exception 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.
- STALEMATED GAME
If, after 3 consecutive turns at the table by each player (6 turns total) that attempting to pocket or move an object ball will result in loss of game, the balls will be reracked with the original breaker of the stalemated game breaking again.
- POSITION OF BALLS
The position of a ball is judged by where its base rests.
- COMPLETION OF STROKE
A stroke is not complete until all balls on the table have become motionless. A spinning ball is in motion.
- HEAD STRING DEFINED
The area behind the head string does not include the head string. Thus, an object ball that is dead center on the head string is playable. A player placing a cue ball behind the line cannot place it on the line; it must be placed behind the line.
- FOULS BY DOUBLE HITS
If the cue ball is touching the required object ball prior to the shot, the player may shoot toward it. If the cue stick strikes the cue ball more than once on a shot, or if the cue stick is in contact with the cue ball when or after the cue ball contacts an object ball, the shot is a foul. If a third ball is close by, care should be taken not to foul that ball under the first part of this rule. . If the cue ball and object ball are close together (closer than a piece of chalk) but not frozen, the shooter must either draw the cue ball back or shoot the shot at a minimum of a 45 degree angle. This does not mean you still can’t foul, just that you are less likely to.
- PUSH SHOT FOULS
It is a foul if the cue ball is pushed by the cue tip, with contact being maintained for more than the momentary time commensurate with a stroked shot.
- ILLEGAL JUMPING OF BALL
It is a foul if a player strikes the cue ball below center (digs under or lofts the cue ball) and intentionally causes it to rise off the bed of the table in an effort to clear an obstructing ball. Such jumping action may occasionally occur accidentally, and such “ jumps are not to be considered fouls on their face; they may still be ruled foul strokes, if for example, the ferrule or cue shaft makes contact with the cue ball in the course of the shot.
- JUMP SHOTS
It is legal to cause the cue ball to rise off the bed of the table by elevating the cue stick on the shot, and forcing the cue ball to rebound from the bed of the table.
Jump Buddy is legal equipment.
- BALLS MOVING SPONTANEOUSLY
If a ball shifts, settles, turns or otherwise moves “by itself”, the ball shall remain in the position it assumed and play continues. A hanging ball that falls into a pocket by itself after being motionless for 5 seconds or longer shall be replaced as closely as possible to its position prior to falling. If an object drops into a pocket by itself as a player shoots at it, so that the cue ball passes over the spot the ball had been on, unable to hit it, the cue ball and object ball are to be replaced to their positions prior to the stroke, and the player may shoot again. Any other object balls disturbed on the stroke are also replaced.
- OBJECT BALL FROZEN TO CUSHION OR CUE BALL
This rule 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 frozen object ball, the shot must result in either:
(1) A ball being pocketed
(2) The cue ball contacting a cushion
(3) The frozen ball being caused to contact a cushion attached to a separate rail
(4) Another object ball being caused to contact a cushion with which it was not already in contact. Failure to execute one of these options is a foul.
- TEAMS SHOOTING WITH FORFEITS
When a team is short a player you may shoot with 4 players. Fill out scoresheet and enter "Forfeit" in the missing players name. The forfeit has no handicap so the opposing team if they have all 5 players present will mark out one of their team members handicap. All players will play but with a 4 on 4 handicap. The games with the forfeited player is scored as a 10-5.
- SPORTSMANSHIP
Unsportmanship conduct is not acceptable. Coaching, distraction to the player at the table. The teams must give the player a warning, if
after that warning the team continues it is a foul and ball in hand. Breaking your cue down in the middle of a game (unless changing shafts)
is considered unsportsmanship. If you break your cue down, you are conceding the game.
- HOME TEAM TABLE ASSIGNMENTS
When the bar has more than 1 table and multiple teams are playing the tables are first come first serve.
- LATE SHOOTERS
You must have 3 players by 6:30p. If a player is late they have until the end of the 2nd round to get there and make up the 1st
round. If it goes past the second round the late player will forfeit the first 2 games and continue to shoot the rest.
- PLAYERS MUST BE 21 TO PLAY
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