Full International Pool Rules - droitwichpool.com

INTERNATIONAL EIGHT BALL POOL RULES

1 SPIRIT OF THE GAME

The game shall be known as ‘International eightball pool’ with rules that must be played in a sporting manner at all times.

2 EQUIPMENT & TABLE LAYOUT

All equipment that is generally accepted throughout the industry is permitted. No other equipment is allowed unless ratified by the Tournament Director.

However, using any equipment in a non-customary manner is never allowed and constitutes a foul. International eight-ball pool is played on a six-pocket rectangular table with six cushions.

Equipment permitted:

(a) A spotted white called a cue ball

(b) Two groups of object balls consisting of seven reds and seven yellows

(d) Spider, rest, gooseneck rest, cross rest

(e) Prescribed cues

The playing surface is the flat part of the table bordered by the cushions. The surface must be marked with an eight-ball spot at the intersection of two imaginary diagonal lines joining the centre and corner pockets.

The surface must be marked with a ‘rack line’. The rack line must be a 280mm vertical line going down through the eight-ball spot towards the top cushion (See Rule 5 for an illustration of the rack line). On the rack line must be two marker points, one for the head ball and the other for the eight-ball.

The cloth is marked with a break line parallel to the bottom cushion 1/5th of the length of the table away from the baulk cushion.

3 THE OBJECT OF THE GAME

International eight-ball pool is played with a spotted cue ball and fifteen object balls, seven red, seven yellow and a striped eight- ball. One player must pocket all balls of one group, while the other player must pocket the alternate coloured balls. The player who pockets their entire group and THEN legally pockets the eight-ball wins the game. The eight-ball must be potted in a separate shot.

4 THE BREAK

4a – A “Lag for Break” shall determine who breaks first with an alternating break format taking place thereafter. The winner of the lag is the player whose ball is closest to the baulk cushion. The winner of the lag is given the choice to break or not.

4b – Lagging Procedure: (guidance, what should happen)

(1) Balls shall be of equal size and weight

(2) To start the lag the referee will count the players in by counting back from 3 to 1 (If a referee is present).

(3) The players shall simultaneously strike balls (on the referee’s indication – if referee present) towards the top cushion.

4c – It is an automatic loss of lag if a ball:

(1) Crosses into the opponent’s half of the playing surface OR

(2) Fails to contact the top cushion OR

(3) Drops into a pocket OR

(4) Hits a side cushion OR

(5) Jumps off the table OR

(6) Comes to rest on the playing surface within the area of the corner pocket OR

(7) Player commits any standard foul.

4d – Players will lag again if:

(1) Both players foul OR

(2) The referee is unable to decide on which ball is closest to the bottom cushion OR

(3) One player’s ball strikes the top cushion before the other player’s ball is hit.

4e – To commence a frame, the player who is breaking, shall position the cue ball anywhere in baulk but MUST NOT position the cue ball over the break line by more than 50% of its diameter.

4f – The Break will be deemed a ‘Legal Break’ if the player breaking, obtains a minimum of three cumulative points.

1 point for each object ball potted (eight-ball included, so thus does count).

1 point for each object ball that has passed an imaginary line between the two centre pockets, that is not potted. A ball is deemed as having ‘passed’ the centre line if the whole ball is over the imaginary line.

4g – Failure to perform a legal break MUST result in a re-rack. The opponent has the option to break or to choose to give the break back to the original breaker.

4h – Groups are not decided on the break. The table remains open after the break. If the player in control of the table does not make a legal pot, the table is still deemed open for the incoming player.

4i – If the eight-ball is potted off the break, it is always re-spotted after all balls have come to rest on the table. To re-spot the eight- ball, the centre point of the eight-ball is placed on the eight-ball spot or if this is not available as near as possible to the spot in a direct line between the spot and the centre of the top cushion.

If there is no space available on this line, place the eight-ball as near as possible to its spot in a direct line between the spot and the bottom cushion.

If the eight-ball is the ‘only ball potted on a legal break’ then control of the table goes to the incoming player. If it’s potted with other groups and the criteria of a legal break has been fulfilled, the breaker continues.

4j – If the cue ball on a legal break:

Goes “in-off”, a loss of turn occurs and the incoming player is awarded one visit with cue ball in hand, to be played from baulk, in any direction.

(2) Leaves the playing surface, a standard foul will be called against the breaker, with the incoming

player receiving one visit, played from anywhere on the playing surface. (See Rule 6l (1))

5 THE RACK

Arrange as shown with the eight-ball on the eight-ball spot. Top apex ball on the head marker of the rack line.

(See the diagram to the right for an illustration of where the balls are racked in relation to the rack line).

6 IN PLAY

6a Deciding groups

(1) Groups are decided on the first ball legally potted. The referee will call the first group in play.

(2) The table is considered an “open” table when the choice of groups (red or yellow) has not yet been determined. The table is always open immediately after the break shot. Balls potted from the break are disregarded. The player’s designated group (red or yellow) will not be determined until a player legally pockets an object ball. Once groups are determined, object balls from a player’s group are referred to as ‘on’ ball(s).

(3) Failure to make a legal pot results in the table remaining open.

(4) If one of each group is potted in one shot, the player will be ‘on’ the group struck by the cue ball first unless a foul has occurred, in which case the table remains open.

(5) Where the choice of group is not obvious. (e.g. player cues up to a group of object balls OR object balls of both groups sitting close to each other OR player is snookered behind the eight-ball OR the lay of the table is such no object ball is a clear target).

(a) The player MUST indicate to the referee and/or the opponent the intended group.

(b) Failure to call a group, after potting a ball, whilst the table is open, is loss of turn (See Rule 6d), the table remains open.

(d) Striking a called group but potting the other group is loss of turn (See Rule 6d), the table remains open.

(e) Potting a called group is a legal pot and the group is assigned to the striker.

(f) The onus is on the player in control of the table, to make a call for the groups to be decided in a fair and sporting manner.

(6) Groups are not decided on a foul shot.

(7) In the event of a touching ball, you MUST indicate to the referee and/or opponent the intended group. See Rule 6o (2).

DEFINITION: During an ‘open table’, an ‘obvious’ object ball that the cue ball makes initial contact with first, becomes the ball “on”.

At any time during an ‘open table‘, If a player pots an obvious object ball, deemed as the ball ‘on’ and the shot doesn’t result in a foul, they will be advised of their group to continue with, verbally by the referee, after all the balls have come to rest.

Whilst the table is ‘open’, if a player attempts to play an obvious object ball but misses it completely and cue ball proceeds to pot another ball in the same group they initially attempted, it would result in the player continuing on that group. However, if the ball potted was the opposite group, this would result in a ‘loss of turn’.

The referee should not request a group nomination, when a nomination is required, this could be considered as coaching. Should a player call a group when the table has an obvious layout, the referee will call ‘No nomination required’.

Whilst the table is ‘open’, it is not permitted to use the eight-ball as a ball ‘on’.

Once the groups have been decided, players cannot ask what group they are on as this would be deemed coaching.

6b Continuing a frame

In the course of play, if a legal shot is played and the balls(s) from the player’s own group are potted, play continues and the player is entitled to an additional shot. The player will lose their turn and return control of the table to the opponent if they:

Fail to pot one or more of their own group AND / OR
Commits a standard foul.

A player is deemed to be ‘in control’ of the table from the time all the balls stop moving from the final shot of their opponent’s visit, to the time all the balls stop moving from the final shot of their visit.

6c Combination shots

Object balls from both groups can be potted without penalty in a single ‘combination’ shot. Combination shots do not have to be called. The potted balls may drop into the pockets in any order but ‘on’ ball must be struck legally first. Attempting to complete a combination shot that results in only potting ball not ‘on’ is LOSS OF TURN.

All attempted combination shots that fail to pot both the ball ‘on’ and an opponent’s group will result in a loss of turn which will be called as such, by the referee.

Potting the eight-ball and then an opponent’s ball(s) is deemed a legal shot and no penalty is awarded.

6d Loss of turn

As long as the player strikes an ‘on’ ball first, should an opponent’s ball be potted without also potting an ‘on’ ball, it will be loss of turn. Control of the table returns to the opponent; the cue ball is played from where it lies.

The only exception to this is during an open table where the choice of groups has yet to be decided, see point (4) below.

For example:

(1) Potting an opponent’s ball accidentally.

(2) Failing to complete a legal combination shot.

(3) A tactical shot e.g. playing a designated group legally to pot an opponent’s ball.

(4) Failure to call a group after potting a ball, whilst the table is ‘open’, if the group was not obvious.

Potting an opponent’s ball(s), without potting the ball ‘on’, having hit the ball ‘on’ first, will result in a loss of turn. The opponent plays the cue ball from where it lies. Examples of this are an unsuccessful combination shot or playing a tactical/turnover shot.

If on an ‘open’ table, a player makes an obvious attempt (no need to nominate) to hit a specific group and misses it completely (no contact) and proceeds to pot the opposite group, the referee shall call ‘loss of turn’ and the table remains ‘open’.

If on an ‘open’ table, a player strikes the cue ball and makes initial contact with one group and the shot progresses into potting the opposite group only, the referee shall call ‘loss of turn’ and the table remains ‘open’.

If on an ‘open’ table, the group the player intends to play is not obvious, a nomination of a group is required. For example, this could be that the player is playing towards a cluster of balls or a ball(s) of each group that are in close proximity to each other or fails to nominate a group on an ‘open’ table when a touching ball has been confirmed. After the shot is played, the referee shall call ‘loss of turn’ and the table remains ‘open’.

If on an ‘open’ table, no referee present, a player calls one group, but intentionally plays the opposite group to try to force the loss of turn, the player will continue on the group potted. You cannot use the nomination rule to force a ‘loss of turn’.

6e Standard fouls

Shall be called by the referee as soon as they occur, the fouling player is in control until all balls from that shot come to rest. The incoming player is awarded one visit and a cue ball in hand, which can be:

a) Played from its current position, or

b) Placed anywhere on the playing surface.

The only exception to (a) is If the cue ball has come to rest and is touching an object ball and therefore must be repositioned.

As the rule states: “Shall be called as soon as they occur, the fouling player is in control until all balls from that shot have come to rest. The incoming player is awarded one visit and a cue ball in hand, which can be:

a) Played from its current position, or

b) Placed anywhere on the playing surface.

The only exception to (a) is If the cue ball has come to rest and is touching an object ball and therefore must be repositioned.”

If a player receives a cue ball in hand following a foul and the cue ball is touching an object ball, if the cue ball is NOT repositioned and the player plays a shot, a standard foul is given to the opponent under rule 6e (7) “Playing a shot before any balls that require re-spotting or replacing, have been re-spotted or replaced”.

With a referee present:

The instant the referee is aware of a foul, they will make the appropriate call. When all balls have stopped moving they will call the appropriate penalty. The referee will endeavour to recover the cue ball, offer it to the incoming player or place it on the playing surface against the baulk cushion and call “Time Running”.

However, if the incoming player has requested the cue ball to be left in position following a foul, the referee will immediately call “Time Running” and the player is still free to pick up the cue ball at any point.

Following an “In-off”, the referee or the player may recover the cue ball from the return box. The referee will call “Time Running” the moment the player’s hand is in the return box, even if the cue ball has not arrived in the return box yet. If the player takes their time in recovering the cue ball from the return box, the referee will recover the cue ball, place it on the playing surface against the baulk cushion and call “Time Running”.

With no referee present:

Once the foul is acknowledged by the player who committed the foul, the incoming player can then proceed to pick up the cue ball or play it from its current position.

A loss of frame foul, as per rule 6f(9) will be awarded if:

The player who committed the foul passes the cue ball to the incoming player, or, The incoming player moves the cue ball before any acknowledgement of the foul.

The referee or an opposing player must not stop a player who may be about to commit a foul, this action must take its course naturally and a foul is called if committed. If two or more fouls are committed in the same shot, the foul that carries the most severe penalty will be called.

Standard fouls are:

Potting the cue ball – “In Off” (Except off the break – See rule 4j)

The cue ball falls into a pocket and remains off the playing surface is defined as ‘in-off’. If the cue ball hits the back of the pocket and then returns to the table, this is NOT an ‘in-off’.

(2) Playing from outside baulk when obliged to play from Baulk. The break line is considered to be part of the baulk. (See rule 4e)

A player who positions the cue ball over the break line by more than 50% of its diameter.

(3) A player who plays a shot immediately after playing a foul or immediately after the referee has called a foul on that player, has played out of turn. This also covers breaking out of turn.

Should a player play a shot, when they do not have the right to do so, will be deemed as playing out of turn. This can apply at any time during a frame.

(4) Accidentally striking the cue ball with any part of the cue other than the tip in general play. Positioning the cue ball with the cue is allowed as long as the tip of the cue is not used.

A player may position the cue ball with the shaft of the cue when they have ‘ball in hand’. The tip is the only part of the cue that can strike the cue ball in order to perform a legal shot. If the referee thinks that a player has deliberately breached this rule, they should consider if the spirit of the game has been breached, see rule 6f(2).

(5) Accidentally striking any ball other than the cue ball with any part of the cue or cue tip.

Accidentally striking any object ball with any part of the cue, including the tip, will be a foul. If the referee thinks that a player has deliberately breached this rule, they should consider if the spirit of the game has been breached, see rule 6f(2).

(6) Playing a shot before all balls have come to rest from the previous shot.

(7) Playing a shot before any balls that require re-spotting or replacing, have been re-spotted or replaced. (See Rule 6m).

(8) Coaching: During a frame, a player is required to play without receiving any advice from other persons relating to the playing of the frame. If a team member or bona fide supporter of a player offers advice, the referee will issue a “First and final warning” to that person that a repetition will result in the player being penalised via a Standard Foul. Because it may not always be possible for the Referee to hear if a statement made to a player is advice, the referee may issue the first and final warning because any statement made to a player, other than general barracking, is deemed to be coaching. In a tournament setting, a first and final warning may be given once only, before the commencement of the day’s play as a block warning to all players and spectators.

Referees should be sure that the words/actions can be interpreted as coaching. Should suspected coaching cause a player to visibly alter their shot or change how they are looking at the table or if there is a definite instruction, the referee will issue a first and final warning, if one has not been given already.

(9) Leaving the playing area without permission. If a player needs to leave the playing area during a frame or match, “Time Out” must first be granted by the referee.

A timeout may be called for:

(a) When a player requests a rest or bridge OR

(b) Something or someone is obstructing the player OR

(d) The referee has to replace or re-spot a ball.

If a player wishes to leave the arena, for a bonafide reason, they must gain permission from the referee (or opposing player if there is not a referee present). Referees should not agree to excessive comfort breaks, the actual amount may be dictated by the competition/tournament rules. Leaving the arena during a frame (other than above) would not be allowed, in general, unless the player has agreed with the tournament director for example a medical reason.

(10) Playing a “Push Shot” (defined as when the tip of the cue remains in contact with the cue ball once it has commenced a forward motion).

A push shot can be determined:

When the cue ball, having struck the object ball follows the object ball in a similar direction AND at a similar speed, when in close proximity to each other before the shot commences OR after the cue ball has commenced its forward motion and the tip of the cue is still in contact with the cue ball.

(11) Double-hitting the cue ball.

Seeing the cue follow through and/or hearing the double contact is not sufficient to make a call. It has to be a visible contact to make the call.

(12) Failing to perform a “Legal Shot”.

See rule 6p ‘Legal Shot’ for definition. Potting or hitting your opponent’s ball first, for example, when coming out of a snooker would be deemed accidental unless it was clear and obvious the shot played was deliberate, therefore carrying a greater penalty of ‘loss of frame’.

(13) Playing a shot while not having at least one foot touching the floor.

The player must always have at least one foot on the floor, defined as the sole of the shoe touching the floor. The player’s foot must be within the shoe and not out of the shoe and on top of it.

(14) Failing to “Play Away” from a touching ball(s).

See rule 6o ‘touching balls’ for further guidance.

(15) A ball that remains off the playing surface.

See rule 6l ‘balls off the table’ for further guidance.

(16) A player’s body, clothing, jewellery or accessory, or part of a cue (except for the tip in a legal shot), comes into contact with any ball. A tip falling off a cue or chalk dropped is the player’s responsibility. Should any of these contact a ball on the playing surface, it is deemed a foul. A player is responsible for their ‘own’ equipment brought to the table but not that which is ‘supplied’ by the competition itself. For example, If the end falls off a rest that has been ’supplied’ by the competition which contacts a ball, this is deemed not a foul.

(17) Jump shot: If the cue ball leaves the bed of the playing surface and does not strike an object ball that it would have struck had the cue ball not left the playing surface on an otherwise identical shot, then the cue ball is deemed to have jumped over that ball.

A ‘jump shot’ refers to the action of the cue ball upon first striking, if the cue ball jumps the object ball being played, but hits that ball on the back, this is not a jump shot, the cue ball must completely jump over the object ball. If the cue ball were to completely clear the object ball, but, hit a cushion and return to hit the object ball it jumped, this is a jump shot. Similarly, if the cue ball’s first contact is with a cushion, then jumps an object an object ball, this is also a jump shot. Once a shot has been played and the cue ball’s first contact is with the ball intended, if any balls are jumped either by the cue ball or any other ball after this contact, these are not regarded as jump shots.

(18) Marking the table to assist a shot.

If a player deliberately marks the playing surface or cushions in an effort to assist a shot, this is a standard foul. The marking could be with chalk on the cue tip or by finger mark or placing a block of chalk or a coin in a strategic position etc. The referee should endeavour to remove any marks or items. Should a player persist in doing this, a breach of the spirit of the game should be considered.

(19) Time foul.

See rule 6j ‘shot clock’ for further guidance.

6f Loss of frame fouls

Deliberately not playing a ball from their own group first, or an “on” ball after a foul.

Prohibits deliberately striking your opponent’s ball first, this does not include accidents (miscues, miss of a fine cut).

(2) Unsporting behaviour / bringing the game into disrepute. Including but not exclusive to:

(a) A second offence for Foul language (A verbal warning is given for the first offence) OR

(b) Throwing a cue around / unscrewing as if to concede OR

(d) Interfering when the opponent is on the shot either verbally or physically.

Not playing in the spirit of the game (unsporting behaviour), for example (but not limited to):

(a) Audible bad language for a second time after being warned.

(b) Excessive hitting the table, physically or with a cue.

(d) Constant arguing with the referee (refusing to accept the referee/senior referee’s decision) or opponent.

(e) Gamesmanship – Attempting to interfere with the opponent’s shot, either verbally or physically. This could include jangling coins in their pocket, noisily chalking a cue, moving about in an opponent’s eye line or making audible comments.

(f) Repeatedly marking the table.

(g) A player making a deliberate attempt to stop the cue ball from going ‘in off’ by any means possible. Just because a player thinks something is about to happen (i.e An ‘in-off’) they cannot assume it will as an outcome (i.e The cue ball could jump back out of the pocket).

(3) Committing a foul in the same shot that the eight-ball is potted. (Except on the break)

(4) Potting the eight-ball when a ball or balls of the player’s own group are still on the table. (Except on the Break) Including potting the last group ball and eight-ball in the same shot.

(5) A player who clearly and intentionally fails to make an attempt to play a ball(s) of their own group.

Prevents you from refusing to play a shot (this includes a deliberate time fail, but not any time foul – it must be deliberate) or playing a deliberate foul instead of making a legitimate attempt to escape a snooker.

If you attempt a shot at the ball ‘on’ but leave the cue ball way short of the attempted ball ‘on’, the referee has the right to call it a deliberate act to leave the ball short, potentially so as not to disturb other balls near your ball ‘on’ in order to gain an advantage. Alternatively, you could read it this way:

“A player who makes an attempt to play a ball(s) ‘on’ but clearly and intentionally falls short of making contact with the ball(s) ‘on’ in order to gain a potential advantage”.

If you are unable to come to a definitive conclusion regarding the shot to which you must rule upon, for the purposes of determining a ‘loss of frame’, your course of action should be in the first instance to warn the player that you cannot be sure 100% that it was a poor enough attempt and if they play a similar shot again then you will call ‘loss of frame’.

(6) Potting the eight-ball legally, then proceed to move the remaining balls before they have come to rest.

(7) Deliberately striking the cue ball with any part of the cue other than the tip in general play. Positioning the cue ball with the cue is allowed as long as the tip of the cue is not used.

(8) Deliberately striking any ball other than the cue ball with any part of the cue or cue tip.

(9) Deliberately moving a ball(s) other than playing as part of a shot.

6g Stalemate situation

If any situation arises whereby a ‘legal shot’ (see Rule 6e(12)) cannot be played, It is a player’s responsibility to ask for a stalemate. In other words, if there is not a path ‘out’ for the cue ball or not a path ‘into’ the ball ‘on’, in the first instance the player must ask for a stalemate if they believe a ‘legal shot’ cannot be played. A decision on whether a stalemate exists will be at the referee’s discretion. A referee will disregard a player’s ability when making a stalemate decision.

If the referee (or opponent – if no referee) confirms a stalemate, the frame shall be restarted with a re-rack. The player who originally broke will restart the re-racked frame. If no stalemate is confirmed, the players must continue their visit.

Players must always ask for a stalemate if they believe one exists. When deciding a stalemate the rule is clear, “if there is no path ‘out’ for the cue ball or no path ‘into’ the ball ‘on’ in order to play a legal shot, a stalemate is given”.

Regardless of how ridiculous an escape may be, the shot to play is never impossible but improbable. A referee will not apply the ‘laws of physics’ or take into account a player’s ability, any judgement is solely based on the rule.

6h Frozen balls

(1) An object ball is deemed frozen whilst touching a cushion. It is a standard foul if the cue ball initially contacts a frozen ball first and the shot does not result in:

(a) A ball being potted OR

(b) The cue ball contacting a cushion OR

(d) Any other object ball contacting a cushion, with which it was not already in contact with, before the shot is played.

(2) A ball is only deemed frozen if confirmed by the referee or player, prior to the shot being taken.

For the purpose of frozen balls, there are six cushions: Baulk cushion, Top cushion, left-hand side top cushion, left-hand side baulk cushion, right-hand side top cushion and right-hand side baulk cushion.

If the frozen ball, upon being struck, leaves the cushion it was touching and then returns to the same cushion, without touching another cushion, this does NOT constitute a legal shot, unless:

(a) The frozen ball makes contact with an object ball forcing the object ball into a cushion or

(b) The cue ball makes contact with the cushion after contact with the frozen ball or (c) The cue ball, after contact with the frozen ball, fails to make contact with a cushion but makes contact with an object ball forcing the object ball into a cushion. A simultaneous contact between a ‘frozen ball’ and the cushion it is frozen onto is NOT a legal shot.

If both the object ball and cue ball are frozen to the same cushion, then:

(b) Either the cue ball or frozen ball must contact a different cushion or (c) Any other object ball must be caused to contact any cushion.

6i Outside interference

(1) There is no penalty if balls are moved in these circumstances:

(a) By persons other than players taking part in the frame OR

(b) As a result of players being bumped OR

(2) The referee will return the balls as close as possible to their original positions whenever possible. Re-racks will only be granted in extreme circumstances. The referee’s decision is final.

(3) The referee can reset the shot clock if they consider the situation warrants. The decision is at the referee’s discretion.

No additional guidance is required. Everything stated in the rules is clear and concise. The only thing to note is that if it was a deliberate act to interfere, the players and spectators will be given a first and final warning and if it happens again the said person will be disqualified from the competition or removed from the venue.

6j Shot clock

Each player is allotted 45 seconds for each shot. The tip of the cue must have made contact with the cue ball within this time or a standard foul shall be granted to the opponent. The 45-second shot clock will commence once all balls come to rest. The timekeeper will verbally count down from 5 seconds.

One extension per frame is permitted per player, whereby the referee will add 15 seconds to the remaining time at the request of the player.

All calls will be made in a clear and audible manner for the benefit of both players and spectators.

A ‘time foul’ is called by the referee when the audible signal is heard for zero on the shot clock AND the player fails to make contact with the cue ball. If no audible signal is present and a manual stopwatch is being used, the timekeeper will call ‘time foul’ at zero.

If the referee has any doubt regarding the closeness of any time foul call, they should consult TV replays from the TV production crew (if available) or give the benefit of the doubt to the player at the table.

If a ‘time foul’ is called, the shot clock or stopwatch will not be reset and started for the incoming player until ‘time running’ is called.

If there are balls to be re-spotted, for whatever reason, the shot clock will not start until the referee calls ‘time running’ with both players remaining in their respective seats until the call is made.

If a match has access to a VDU (visual display unit) for the purposes of displaying the match score, shot clock and shot clock extension etc, the player should not be penalised if the timekeeper fails to update the relevant information or if there is a computer malfunction. A player will use the on-screen information when at the table to help determine which shot to play in most cases.

Stopwatch (if used) – timekeepers will not spend an inordinate amount of time staring at the stopwatch, to the detriment of their other duties.

Stopwatch (if used) – Should the five seconds call be made late, for whatever reason, the player will still be awarded five seconds from the time the call is made. At some point, the referee may need to concentrate more on a situation on the table rather than the stopwatch but should be aware of how much time is remaining.

The instant the referee decides that all balls have stopped moving, the shot clock for the incoming player will normally commence. The shot clock will stop the moment the cue ball is struck.

6k Balls falling into a pocket…

A shot is ‘complete’ when all balls have come to rest.

(1) After a shot is ‘complete’, any ball(s) that drops into a pocket, without being struck, will be replaced to their original positions.

A shot is ‘in progress’ when the cue ball has been struck and all the balls have not come to a rest.

(2) During a shot ‘in progress’, any ball(s) that drops into a pocket, without being struck and wouldn’t have been played as part of a shot, shall be replaced to their original positions after all balls have come to rest.

(3) During a shot ‘in progress’, any ball(s) that drops into a pocket, without being struck and would have been played as part of a shot, in this instance ALL BALLS will be replaced to their original positions after all balls have come to rest.

After the balls have been reset to their original positions, the original player will always continue with no penalty, unless:

(a) A foul had been committed or

(b) The original player failed to pot a ball ‘on’ (the expectation to this is rule (3) where the original player will always continue).

The instant the that all balls have stopped moving, the shot clock for a player will commence.

Any balls that drop before a shot commences will be replaced back to their original position. The referee may have to call a ‘timeout’ to do this especially if you are using a shot clock. A player should not be penalised by losing time on the shot clock if such should occur and the shot clock should be paused and started once the referee calls ‘time running’.

Any balls that drop during a shot, when not played as part of the shot or would have been played but dropped before contact, shall be replaced. The player will then carry on with no penalty. The only difference is if the ball that dropped would have been played as part of the shot, all the balls will be replaced to their original positions, not just the dropped ball. So effectively this means you are resetting the original shot for the player to either attempt the same shot again or choose a different shot, with no penalty.

If the match is being broadcast you can have the option to consult the production crew for a freeze frame of the positions of the balls. If both players are not satisfied with the positions of the balls, the referee must make further attempts to satisfy the players. A re-rack can only be granted by the referee if they feel they are unable to return the balls to their original positions. A player cannot enforce a re-rack, it could be seen as advantageous if they were in a worse position than their opponent.

6l Balls off the playing surface

It is a ‘standard foul’ if a ball leaves the playing surface at any point during the frame AND does not return by its own means and remains off the playing surface (other than being potted)

(1) If it is the cue ball, then it is ball in hand, to be played anywhere on the table.

(2) Object balls are re-spotted (See Rule 6m).

The playing surface of the table will be regarded as the flat surface between the cushions.

At ANY point during a frame (break or ‘in play’) if a ball leaves the playing surface and fails to return of its own accord, the ruling is a standard foul and the ball(s) respotted. This scenario and outcome are covered in rule 6e(15), rule 6l and rule 6m.

Any ball that leaves the playing surface must return to the playing surface of its own accord. If it contacts an object (that is not part of the table) or person and then returns to the playing surface, a ‘standard foul’ will be called.

If the ball leaves the playing surface and then runs along a cushion and then returns to the playing surface (or potted if a ball ‘on’) then this is not a foul.

Any ball(s) will be deemed as ‘pocketed’ if:

(a) They fall into a pocket or

(b) They reside over a pocket in such a way that even though the ball(s) are touching the playing surface the centre point of the ball is over the pocket and not on the playing surface. The example below gives a visual demonstration.

6m Returning object balls which leave the playing surface and remain off the table

An object ball is re-spotted with its centre point on the eight-ball spot or as near as possible to that spot in a direct line between the spot and the centre point of the top cushion.

Object balls are re-spotted in the following order:

(a) Eight-ball

(b) Red

Return balls as close as possible to other balls without touching.

Object balls that remain off the table will be returned to the playing surface on the eight-ball spot or as close as possible to it in a direct line towards the top cushion. If there is no space between the eight-ball spot and the top cushion the ball(s) shall be placed in a direct line towards the eight-ball spot and the baulk cushion. When re-spotting balls they must be placed as close as possible to any other balls without touching them.

When returning multiple balls, they have an order of preference, eight-ball first, red balls second and then yellows.

6n Player responsibility

It is the responsibility of each player to be aware of all rules. However, a referee on request may advise on the rules of the game but must not provide any subjective opinion that would affect the result of the frame. Tournament officials will make every reasonable effort to make the information readily available to all players. However, the ultimate responsibility rests with each individual player. There is no recourse if a player does not obtain correct or complete information.

Players may always call for rule(s) clarification during play. However, this is not considered a “Time Out”.

Should a player request clarification of a rule, the referee must be fully aware of whether the information they are about to provide will have an effect on the particular shot that the player may be considering playing. The choice of shot is the player’s responsibility and the referee’s advice cannot affect the outcome of a shot or frame. Referees must be careful that any clarification given cannot be construed as coaching. Should a player request clarification, they will do it in their own time, a time-out will not be granted.

It is a player’s responsibility not to approach the table when a ‘time-out’ is called. This would be seen as gaining an advantage while no shot clock countdown is in progress. In the first instance, the referee should warn the player and ask them to remain seated. Persistent disregard of this warning, should the player do it again then the referee is within their right to award the frame to the opposing player for gamesmanship (Not playing in the spirit of the game/unsporting behaviour), See rules 6f(2).

6o Touching balls

(1) A player must play away from ‘ALL’ touching balls at an angle perpendicular (90 degrees) or greater than and fulfil the requirements of a ‘legal shot’. A player shall not be penalised If playing away from touching ball(s) causes any touching ball to rock or move slightly because it was ‘resting’ on the cue ball.

(2) If the table is ‘open’ and touching ball(s) have been confirmed, the player must, in the following order:

(a) Nominate a group. (This is for clarity of the shot, and not to decide a group for the remainder of the frame) See Rule 6a (1) on deciding groups.

(b) Perform all the requirements of a ‘legal shot’.

(3) If the groups have been decided and touching ball(s) has been confirmed, the player must perform all the requirements of a ‘legal shot’.

(4) If the cue ball is touching an ‘on’ ball, the player is deemed to have made ‘initial contact’ in order to fulfil the requirements of a ‘legal shot’.

A referee (or player if no referee is present) shall call all touching balls.

A player must play away from ‘ALL’ touching balls at an angle of perpendicular (90 degrees) or greater.

Any touching ball that rocks or moves slightly because it was ‘resting’ on the cue ball shall not result in a foul if played away at an angle greater than 90 degrees.

Touching ball(s) on an ‘open’ table requires a player to call a group for the purpose of clarifying the intended shot. Any call will not enforce the group choice for the rest of the frame, that can only be done from the first legal ball potted. If no call happens then regardless of the outcome of the shot, a ‘loss of turn’ is called.

6p Legal shot

DEFINITION – To play a ‘legal shot’ the player must cause the cue ball’s initial contact to be with a ball ‘on’ and THEN must either:

(a) Pot any ball or balls (except the eight-ball if not ball ‘on’) OR

(b) Cause the cue ball or any object ball to contact a cushion.

The ‘cushion’ is defined as the six rails and the six pockets of a pool table.

A player must always make an attempt to play a ‘legal shot’ regardless of the situation they are faced with.

In short, two elements are needed to fulfil a ‘legal shot’:

(a) Strike the ball ‘on’ first AND THEN

(b) Pot a ball or another ball indirectly (with the exception of the eight-ball if not ‘on’) OR cause the cue ball or any object ball (including the eight-ball if not ‘on’) to contact a cushion.

During an ‘open table’ the ball ‘on’ is the first ball you contact for the purposes of fulfilling the requirements of a ‘legal shot’.

For the purposes of ‘contacting a cushion’ to perform a required element of a ‘legal shot’, these include the six pockets of a pool table. The reason for this is to mitigate objects balls that are potted and proceed to jump back out onto the playing surface without any ball actually contacting a cushion.

6q Simultaneous contact

Simultaneous contact of object balls is allowed as long as one of the contacted object balls is ‘on’.

Simultaneous contact is allowed as long as one of the contacted object balls is ‘on’.

For simultaneous contact to happen during an ‘open table’, a player must have nominated a group because the choice of shot is not obvious as stated in rule 6a(5) AND also the nomination declares the intended group as the ball ‘on’ for the clarity of the shot. The referee would call ‘loss of turn’ as stated in rule 6d(4) if no nomination was forthcoming before the shot was played.

7 COMPLETION OF A FRAME

A frame is over when the eight-ball is potted on a legal shot and all the balls have come to rest or in a ‘loss of frame’ situation.

These are the International Rules revision 2c as endorsed in May 2023 by the WEPF and Ultimate Pool, and accepted by the EPA.