Glossop Pool Thursday League

Longdendale Pool Rules

1.THE GAME
The game shall be known as 8 Ball Pool and referred to in these rules as "The Game". It is intended that players and teams should play 8 Ball Pool in the true spirit of the game and in a sportsmanlike manner. It should be clearly understood that the referee is the sole judge of what is fair and unfair play. The referee will take whatever action is necessary to ensure that these rules are observed

2. REQUIREMENTS OF THE GAME
The game is played on a rectangular 6-pocket table with 15 balls plus a cue ball. Balls comprise of two groups 7red and 7 yellow, the 8 ball is a solid colour black. Balls in the two groups are known as object balls.

3. OBJECT OF THE GAME
The player or team pocketing all their group of object balls in any order, and then legally pocketing the 8 ball (black) wins the game.

4. COMMENCEMENT OF THE GAME OR RE-START

The balls are racked as illustrated on this rule sheet with the 8 ball (black) on the 8 ball spot, which is at the intersection of the centre and corner pockets.
Order of play is that home team breaks.
The opening player plays at the triangle of object balls by striking the cue ball from any position on, or behind, the baulk line. At least TWO object balls hit any cushion. Failure to do so is a foul break and will result in the balls be re-racked as per rule sheet. The opposing player then starts the game with two visits.
If the 8 ball (black) is pocketed from the break shot, the balls will be re-racked and the game will be restarted by the same player. No penalty will be incurred. This applies even if other balls, including the cue ball, are pocketed, or leave the playing surface ("off the table").
If a ball or balls are potted off the break the player who broke must nominate a colour, If they nominate the colour they potted then they are the colours there on. If they nominate the other colour they must now pot that colour to stay on them. If a player fails to pot a ball on the break the first occasion a player legally pockets a object ball, including following a foul then that ball denotes their group unless one or more of both groups are pocketed the player Must then nominate a group before play continues.
If no object ball is pocketed from a legal break, then the players continue alternatively playing at either group until such a time as a legal pot is made, which decides the player's group.
In the event of the white ball being potted of the break, Only one visit will be awarded to the incoming player. Two visits will only be awarded if on the break shot, either the white ball or an object ball leaves the table or two balls fail to hit a cushion. in this event the incoming player will start with two visits and all the advantages of the break shot.
If a ball, or balls, are legally pocketed, this entitles the player to one additional shot and this continues until the player either: Fails to pocket one of their own set of allocated balls, or; Commits a foul at any time. Combination shots are allowed, providing the player hits one of their own group first, or any ball with the first shot following any foul (see rule 6.3).

5.FOULS

In off (cue ball pocketed).
Hitting an opponents balls with the cue ball on first impact of the cue ball, except with the first shot following any foul.
Failing to hit any ball with the cue ball.
Jump shot - defined as when the cue ball jumps over any part of any ball before making contact with any ball.
Hitting the 8 ball (black) with the cue ball on first impact of the cue ball before all their own group are pocketed, except with the first shot following any foul.
Potting any opponent's ball, except with the first shot following any foul.
Ball off the table. (a) Any object ball or the 8 ball (black), shall be returned to the 8 ball spot (see rule 4.1), or as near as possible to that spot without touching any other ball, in direct line between that spot and the centre of the string line. (b) If the cue ball, then the cue ball played from in hand (see rule 8.2 general). (c) A ball shall be deemed "off the table" if it comes to rest anywhere other than on the bed of the table.
If a player's body or clothing should touch any ball. Except the cue ball after the referee calls a "foul", when the player is entitled to the cue ball in hand (see rule 6.2).
Player not having at least part of one foot on the floor.
Playing or touching with the cue any ball other than the cue ball.
Striking the cue ball 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 balls require re-spotting, are re-spotted.
Striking the cue ball with the cue more than once.
Push shot - defined as where (a) cue tip remains in contact with the cue ball when the cue ball makes contact with the object ball, or (b) the tip remains In contact with the cue ball once the cue ball has commenced its forward motion.
Failing to nominate when a legal ball is potted off the break and / or failing to nominate when balls of both groups are pocketed with the first legal pot.
Foul break, failing to pot an object ball or drive at least two object balls to hit any cushions.
Failing to hit a cushion after contact (see rule 10), except where rule 11 exists (see rule 11).

6.PENALTY FOLLOWING ANY

Following any foul the offending player loses their next visit to the table, giving their opponent two consecutive visits to the table.
If the cue ball has come to rest on the playing surface, then the player having two visits may proceed to play from where the cue ball lies, or the cue ball may be played from any position on or behind the baulk line. Moving the cue ball in this manner does not count as a shot, or visit. (Players are advised to ask the referee to hand them the cue ball).
On the first shot only of the first visit, the oncoming player may, without nomination, play the cue ball on to any ball without penalty, including any opponent's balls, or 8 ball (black). If any object balls is pocketed directly, or by combination, the player is deemed to have pocketed a legal balls, and continues with the first visit. However, the player must not pot the 8 ball (black), which would mean loss of game. Except if the player is on the 8 ball (black), then the game would be won. 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. The second visit is deemed to have started when the cue ball is struck on the first shot of the second visit.

7. LOSS OF GAME

If a player pockets the 8 ball (black) before all the balls in their own group, except on the break (see rule 4.1, the player loses the game.
A player committing any foul whilst pocketing 8 ball ( black ) except on the break (rule 4.1 ) loses the game
A player going in off the 8 ball (black) when the 8 ball (black) is pocketed, loses the game.
A player pocketing the 8 ball (black) and any other ball on the same shot will lose the game. Except following a foul when only the 8 ball (black) and balls of the opponents group are on the table, then with the first shot of the first visit, the player may legally pocket the 8 ball (black) as well as balls 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 wants to move the white ball after a foul shot , (see rule 5.3 )must ask the ref to do so if not they will lose the game if they move the white ball themselves.
A player who deliberately interferes with any ball either on the table or as it drops in to a pocket will lose the game. This does not include a foul as in (rule 5.8).

8. GENERAL

Touching ball. (a) If the cue ball is touching an object ball, the player must play away from that ball. To move the object ball is a foul (b) If the cue ball is touching any ball the player is legally entitled to play, then the player is deemed to have played that ball. Should the cue ball fail to make contact with any ball, or strike the opponent’s ball or 8 ball ( black ) then the shot is fair no foul.
Cue ball in hand. When a player has the cue ball in hand, the ball is played from any position on, or behind, the baulk-line and in any direction.
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 which fall into pockets during this period, (including the 8 ball (black)) are said to have been pocketed, the player in control being liable to any penalties or benefits normally awarded for the pocketing of the ball.
The game is completed when the 8 ball (black) is pocketed legally in any pocket, and all the remaining balls have come to rest, except on the break (see rule 4.4).

9. STALEMATE

Should any situation arise whereby a legal shot is IMPOSSIBLE to play, then the game shall be restarted by the player who started that frame, whether this situation has been arrived at by accident or design.

If in the opinion of the referee neither player is allowing the game to progress, or a stalemate situation has arisen, then the game shall be restarted by the player who started that frame. The referee shall not allow numerous visits with neither player making any attempt to make the opening pot which decides the playing groups (unless it is felt that progress is being made). If the player who started that frame did so by virtue of their opponent making a foul break, that player will break on any restart, not the opponent who made the foul break.

10. CUSHION AFTER CONTACT

1. On all shots, the player must:-

a. Cause the Cue Ball's initial contact with a ball to be with a ball of their group,
AND THEN

b. Pot a ball of their group OR Cause the Cue Ball or any Object Ball to contact a cushion.

2. Failure to play a Legal Shot is a Standard Foul.

3. Exceptions:

a. On the Break, the conditions of a Legal Shot do not apply.

b. When playing out of a Total Snooker a player is only obliged to meet the conditions of (1) (a above. (see total snookers).

4. Interpretations:

a. If the Cue Ball's initial contact is with an Object Ball that is touching a cushion, simply forcing that Object Ball into the same cushion does not constitute a Legal Shot.

b. If the Cue Ball and the Object Ball are touching the same cushion, simply forcing the Cue Ball and / or that Object Ball into the same cushion does not constitute a Legal Shot.

11. TOTAL SNOOKERS

1. Definition: A player is in a Total Snooker when it is impossible to play any part of any of the player's own colour by way of a "straight line" shot. Leaving an opponent in a Total Snooker is not a foul.

2. If a player believes that a Total Snooker exists, the player may ask the referee for a ruling.

3. If the referee rules that a Total Snooker exists, the player's obligations under the "Legal Shot" rule are relaxed as follows:- The player need only cause the Cue Ball's initial contact to be with a ball "On". The requirement to pot a ball and / or cause a ball to strike a cushion is waived.

GUIDANCE

The term "SHOT" means striking the cue ball once.

The term "VISIT" refers to the one turn at the table comprising of one or a series of shots.

The term "BREAK" refers to the first shot of a game, or the first shot of a game being restarted.

The term "ON" refers to the group or colour that the player at the table is on.

Coaching is deemed unsportsmanlike behaviour.

A referee only ( if ) requested may advise on any rules of the game to either player or player’s

The Referee's Duties and Guidelines listed below supplement those directions contained in various other sections of these rules.

The Referee's decision is final.
Information to be disclosed / not disclosed by a referee:-
1. A player is responsible for knowing the rules of the game. It is not the referee's duty to explain or quote the rules to a player.
2. A referee, if asked by a player, may divulge certain information pertaining to the frame in question under the guidelines of the "Past, Present and Future Rule". A referee may divulge information relating to any past event or present situation in the frame. For example:- "Who's turn is it?" - Present. "Was that a foul?" - Past. Which Colour am I On?" - Present. However, "If I play this shot will it be a foul?" is a question regarding the Future and the referee should advise the player that the referee cannot answer this type of question.
If an Object Ball (or balls) is potted on the break the referee will advise both players of this fact by announcing "Ball (or balls) potted". When a player has a right and an obligation to nominate a choice of Colour, and does so, the referee will announce "Player 'A' On Red (or Yellow) Balls". When that player's turn is complete the referee w ill advise the incoming player of the situation by announcing "Player 'B' on Yellow (or Red ) Balls".
a. The Referee will call fouls as soon as they occur.

The call for a Standard Foul is "Foul, Two Visits".
The call for a Non-Standard Foul is "Foul, (and announce the relevant penalty) " (e.g. player pots white ball on break, hence foul One visit).
The call for a loss of Frame Foul is "Loss of Frame".

b. After a player has been awarded two visits the referee will make no call until the player fails to pot a ball "On". The referee will then call "Second Visit" to advise the player that the first visit is complete and the second visit is about to begin.

The referee will call any instance when the Cue Ball is touching a ball "On".

THESE RULES ARE DISPLAYED HERE FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR MEMBERS ONLY