CALLING PROCEDURES INTERNATIONAL EIGHTBALL RULES
Endorsed and recognised as the official guidance and calling procedures by
The intention of the document is to offer referees guidance and a clear structure on how to referee a match. Players may also wish to read this so they are familiar with the calling procedures of a referee. The purpose of this guide is to reduce the referee’s involvement in a match mainly aided by the simple, but effective, international eightball rules.
Before the start of any match, it is expected that a referee shall know the official rules of pool (International eightball rules) used in the competition/tournament and also any further additional rules set out by the tournament director.
You are to be responsible for upholding:
● The dress code required under the competition/tournament before the
players enter the arena. If there is anything you are unsure of or is borderline,
refer the matter to the tournament director.
● You should also be aware/vigilant of any form of intoxication, mostly
drugs/alcohol but not limited to. Again refer this issue to the tournament
director.
● The laws/rules that govern the game of pool.
Players can request a sensible amount of comfort (toilet or drink) breaks during a match The comfort breaks must not be used for cigarettes or meals – you should deny the request.
Notes:
● Your call is in bold
● Words in ‘Italics’ are guidance to making a call.
● Where highlighted in (red) replace with what is being suggested when
making your call
● Where highlighted in (red) AND has a “/” omit the incorrect word for the
statement you are calling.
1. The start of the match
CALL: Count the players in: 3, 2, 1, lag
Upon deciding a winner of the lag CALL: (player name) wins the lag.
Proceed to rack the balls for the first frame and offer the cue ball to the incoming player. CALL: 1st frame, (player name) to break.
2. During the match, thereafter the first frame
CALL: Frame number (frame number), (player name) to break, (trailing/leading) by (match score).
Or
CALL: Frame number (frame number), (player name) to break, (x) frame/s all.
3. Legal break, no balls potted/balls potted
No call required.
4. Eight-ball potted on the break shot (legal break, balls potted/no
balls potted)
CALL: Timeout, re-spot the eight-ball on the black spot or as close as possible without touching other balls, in a straight line towards the centre of the top cushion, CALL: time running.
5. Foul break
CALL: Foul break, re-rack the balls and ask the incoming player whether they wish to break or turnover the break to their opponent. Offer the cue ball to the incoming player, CALL: Frame number (frame number), (player name) to break, time running.
6a. Cue ball potted (legal break)
CALL: Foul, ball in hand from baulk, retrieve and offer the cue ball to the incoming player, CALL: time running.
6b. Cue ball leaves playing surface (legal break)
CALL: Foul, ball in hand, retrieve and offer the cue ball to the incoming player, CALL: time running.
7a. Legal break, Balls potted (obvious group choice)
No call required.
7b. Legal break, Balls potted (No obvious group choice, player nominates)
No call required because the player called a group to nominate.
7c. Legal break, Balls potted (No obvious group choice, player fails to nomination)
CALL: Loss of Turn, after the shot is played.
8. Decided groups (First instance only)
CALL: (Yellows/reds) in play.
9. Standard fouls (Open table & groups decided)
CALL: Foul, ball in hand, retrieve and offer the cue ball to the incoming player, CALL: time running.
10. Tactical shot/Unsuccessful combination shot
CALL: Loss of turn.
11. Loss of frame foul
CALL: Foul, loss of frame. Proceed to rack the balls for the next frame.
12. When timing a frame (Referee timing frame)
Players are allowed a set amount of time per shot. When the timer gets down to five seconds…
CALL: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and if the player fails to strike the cue ball at the end of the countdown call…
CALL: Time foul, ball in hand, Standard foul applies. Retrieve and offer the cue ball to the incoming player, CALL: time running.
13. Time extension
Players are allowed one time extension per frame.
If a player calls for an extension and has one available:
CALL: Extension called
If a player calls for an extension and has no remaining available: CALL: No extension remaining
14. Timeout (required/requested)
CALL: Timeout, deal with the issue, CALL: time running.
15. Touching ball (All instances)
CALL: Touching ball, with an indication as to which ball(s) the cue ball is touching.
16. Frozen ball
CALL: Frozen ball, with an indication as to which ball is touching the cushion.
17. Stalemate (As requested by player)
CALL: Timeout, evaluate the table as to whether a shot is possible for the incoming player, CALL: (Stalemate / No stalemate, time running)
18. Completion of a frame
CALL: Frame. Proceed to rack the balls for the next frame.
19a. Completion of a frame AND match
CALL: Frame and match (Players Name), shake hands with the players and remove all the balls from the playing surface.
19b. Completion of a match when the match time has expired
● Winner by higher frame count:
CALL: Match (Players Name), shake hands with the players and remove all the balls from the playing surface.
● Scores tied: (6 red shoot-out in use)
CALL: Match drawn, 6 red shoot-out, retrieve a red and yellow ball then remove all remaining balls from the playing surface ready for the players to lag for the right to choose who goes first and second in the shootout.
● Upon scores tied: (draws allowed)
CALL: Match drawn, shake hands with the players and remove all the balls from the playing surface.
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