The PREMIER
DIVISIONS adhere to the World Rules as issued by the English
Pool Association and therefore are not subject to the following
playing rules.
|
| 1 |
OBJECT OF THE GAME |
| |
The object of the game is to win by being the first player to pot
their group of colours in any order and in any pocket and then pot
the 8 ball (black) in their nominated pocket in accordance with these
rules. |
| 2 |
THE BREAK |
| a) |
The red/yellow balls are racked alternatively in the triangle,
with the 8 ball (black) being the centre. The black ball is to be
located on the head spot. |
| b) |
The opening player plays at the triangle of object balls, using
the cue ball from any position behind the line. (Definition of the
cue ball behind the line. The point at the bottom of the cue ball
must be on the line, or behind the line, otherwise a foul) |
| c) |
When breaking off four object balls must hit any cushion, or a
legal pot must be made, otherwise the opponent will re break with
two shots. Any other foul on the break, two shots to the opponent.
|
| d) |
d) If the black ball is potted or goes off the table on the break
then the balls are re-racked and the same player will break again.
|
| 3 |
DECIDING COLOURS |
| a) |
On breaking, providing one or more object balls have been potted,
the player has an open table and should verbally nominate their choice
of colour.
If the player nominates a colour that was potted on the break, the
player is on that colour, regardless of the outcome of the next shot.
If the player nominates a colour that was not potted on the break,
the player must then pot a ball of that colour on the next shot or
the table will be open for the oncoming player. |
| b) |
If no ball is potted on the break then it is an open table. |
| c) |
On the first occasion a player legally pockets an object ball,
including following a foul, then that ball denotes the players colour
(except where rule 3a applies).
If object balls of both groups are legally pocketed then the player
should verbally nominate their choice of group and continue to play. |
d)
|
If following a foul and no ball of either colour has been legally
potted, the oncoming player has a free table with his first shot.
The first legal ball potted will indicate a choice of group as with
3c. |
| e) |
Object balls pocketed on a foul shot are ignored in determining
groups. |
Guidance for Rule 3
Referee’s must be careful to call a ball “in play” only when it has
been nominated and potted. If a ball is potted on the break and then
that colour is nominated then it is “in play”. If the colour that
wasn’t potted on the break, is nominated, then it can only be “in
play” if the player pots a ball of that colour on the shot following
nomination. If the colour, that wasn’t potted on the break, isn’t
potted after nomination, then the referee must announce to the oncoming
player “Open table”.
When necessary the Referee’s should clearly ask the player to nominate
a choice of group. The Referee’s should then announce “Red/Yellow
nominated” |
| 4 |
PUSH SHOTS |
| a) |
Push shots are allowed |
| 5 |
TOUCHING BALL |
| a) |
A player may play away from a touching ball of their own
group and be deemed to have played that ball. |
| b) |
If the cue ball is touching an opponents ball or 8 ball (black),
a player may play away without penalty, providing legal contact is
made with the players own group. |
| c) |
If when playing away from a touching ball, the touching ball
rocks or moves without being contacted further, but simply because
the Cue Ball is no longer there, no penalty will apply. |
| d) |
When respotting the Cue Ball / Black Ball away from a touching
ball, if the touching ball rocks or moves without being contacted
further, but simply because the Cue Ball / Black Ball is no longer
there, no penalty will apply. |
| 6
|
FOULS - All fouls two shots to opponents except
where stated. (see Foul Explanations) |
| a) |
Hitting or pocketing an opponents ball or 8 ball (black).
(except where allowed) |
| b) |
Hitting the 8 ball (black) when not on black. (except
where allowed) |
| c) |
Jump Shots.(i.e. Directly or Intentionally jumping any
ball) |
| d) |
Cue ball into a pocket |
| e) |
Cue ball or Object ball going off the table and staying
off. (except black) |
| f) |
Playing into space. (except where rule 5 applies) |
| g) |
Not playing the ball from within baulk when required to (when
breaking or repositioning cue ball after a foul) |
| h) |
Player touching any ball with person or clothing. (except where
allowed) |
| i) |
Not playing the shot with at least one foot on the floor.
(Any part of foot or footwear, not laces, shall be classed as one
foot) |
| j) |
A player placing any object on any part of the table (chalk,
coins etc.) will in the first instance be warned by the Referee(s).
After the first warning any successive placements will incur a foul. |
| k) |
Using a mobile phone whilst at the table |
| l) |
A player deliberately handling any ball on the table when not
allowed. GAME AWAY |
| m) |
Black ball off the table. GAME AWAY (except where rule
2d applies) |
| n) |
A player deliberately shooting out of turn. GAME AWAY
|
| o) |
Failure to nominate pocket for Black Ball. GAME AWAY
|
| 7 |
FOUL EXPLANATIONS |
| a) |
Following a foul the oncoming player has the option of playing
from where the balls lie, with two shots, or repositioning the cue
ball behind the line, with two shots. Shots may be played in any direction
from behind the line. |
| b) |
When a player commits a foul at any time during the game, their
opponent may either take the award on the foul, or make their opponent
play again from where the balls lie. An opponent
can be made to play again up to two times during a single visit to
the table, thereafter game way. (Except where Rule 2c. applies). |
| c) |
When two shots are given following a foul, it is a 'Free Table'
for the first shot only. The oncoming player may play any ball on
the table without nomination, or pot any ball except black, with their
first shot only. A player will then carry on with their second shot.
If the player fails to pot a ball of their own colour on their second
shot, then their break is over. Combination shots are allowed. |
| d) |
If a coloured ball goes off the table, except black, it is to
be put back on the table as close as possible to the head spot, in
a direct line with the centre of the line, without contacting another
ball. |
| e) |
If a player pockets the cue ball, and their opponent makes them
play again, then the player only has one shot from behind the line. |
| f) |
A player is deemed to have addressed the table when they touch
it. A player gains any awards or penalties (such as a ball dropping
into a pocket), until such time as their opponent touches the table.
NOTE: Once a shot has been played, that is after
the cue ball has been contacted by the cue tip, then the cue ball
must contact an object ball (or black), except where Rule 5 applies.
Otherwise a foul will apply. |
| g) |
If a player touches any ball it is two shots to their opponent.
A player may only touch, during a visit to the table, the cue ball
with the cue tip. If a player touches any ball with their body, clothing,
cue shaft, etc., (except while positioning the cue ball while the
cue ball is in hand), it is a foul. |
Guidance for Rule 7
Rule 7a - If a player has a “Free Table” with cue
ball in hand, and a ball falls into a pocket as the table is addressed,
that is the “Free Table” shot, and there will be only one shot remaining.
Rule 7b - Referee’s should keep players informed
of the consecutive number of fouls.
Rule 7f -
Addressing the table, means touching any part of the table, from feet
upwards, with body, clothing or cue, etc.
Rule 7g
- If while a player is positioning the Cue ball with the Cue shaft,
the Cue tip should touch the cue ball, it is a foul. Players should
be discouraged from doing this.
If during repositioning of the Cue ball, a player were to disturb
any other ball, this would be a foul. |
| 8 |
BLACK BALL |
| a) |
The Referee's should clearly request the player to nominate
their choice of pocket for black, and the Referee's should touch
the pocket to indicate the nomination to players and spectators.
After nominating the pocket the player may not change pocket.
Failure of the player to nominate a pocket under any circumstances
is Game Away.
|
| b) |
Two players cannot nominate the same pocket. |
| c) |
If a player pots their last ball, and in doing so commits a foul
stroke, they must then nominate their pocket for black, prior to their
opponent taking their shot.
The opponent may re spot the black ball prior to or after the offending
player has nominated their choice of pocket. (The black need not be
over a pocket).
When a player pockets their last ball and also their opponents last
ball, the oncoming player has the first choice of pocket, and not
the player committing the foul. Pocket must be nominated before taking
free table shot. |
| d) |
Black ball going into any pocket other than nominated pocket
- GAME AWAY |
| e) |
If the black ball is placed into the jaws of a pocket on an illegal
stroke or is in the jaws of a nominated pocket and the black ball
is moved but still in the jaws (when the balls come to rest) following
an illegal stroke then the black ball may be re-spotted. To determine
whether the black ball is in the jaws of a pocket, use the official
S & D.P.L. '82 template supplied. |
| f) |
If a foul stroke occurs whilst the black ball is in the jaws
of a neutral pocket, at any time during the frame, the oncoming
player may re spot the black ball prior to taking their options
of two shots etc. |
| g) |
If a player commits a foul on the black ball in the jaws of their
nominated pocket, the opponent may either take the award on the foul,
or make their opponent 'play again' from where the balls lie. Should
the opponent commit a second foul, the black ball may then be respotted. |
Guidance for Rule 8
Rule 8a - The Referee’s should clearly request the
player to nominate a choice of pocket for the Black ball once only,
the Referee’s should touch the nominated pocket to indicate the nomination
to players and spectators.
If a player does not nominate a pocket, then it is game away. Rule
8e - If the Black ball is illegally placed in the jaws
of a pocket, following a foul, the Referee’s should use the Official
Template to determine whether a player may re spot the ball. The
referee should not touch or move the black ball. The player must
re-spot the ball.
The long edge of the template is to be used for corner pockets,
and the short edge for the centre pockets. |
| 9 |
DELIBERATE FOUL SHOTS |
| a) |
A player failing to make a legitimate attempt to strike a
ball of their own group (including black if on black)
|
| b) |
Playing the cue ball towards a gap in which it will not pass through.
In this instance the referee is to handle the SPARE
white ball. |
| c) |
Directly and intentionally playing a ball of the opponents
group, or black ball when not on black.
The penalty will be two shots, or a re-rack to the opponent.
If a player is warned prior to playing a deliberate foul shot, then
it will be GAME AWAY |
Guidance for Rule 9
If a Referee feels that a deliberate foul shot is about to be committed,
the referee should verbally warn the player, if the player ontinues
with the shot, then this would be deemed to be Game Away. The
Referee’s should state if a player has committed a deliberate foul
shot, and ask the oncoming player whether they accept two shots
from where the balls lie, or whether the player wishes to re rack.
If a player plays their own ball first, and commits a foul, this
is not a deliberate foul. |
| 10
|
RE RACKS - (see also rule 11) |
| a) |
If a player is put in to a position where it is impossible to
play a legal shot. |
| b) |
If the game is not progressing satisfactorily, and the players
and Referee's agree. |
| |
On any re racks, the player who originally broke is to break again,
except where Rule 2c applies. |
| 11 |
COACHING |
| a) |
During a frame a player is required to play without
receiving advice from other persons relating to the playing of the
frame.
Therefore at the start of a match the home referee will issue a
final warning to all players and supporters.
Should a team member or supporter of a player (playing the frame)
direct a comment towards the game or offer advice, the Referee(s)
will penalise the offending player (team) with a foul.
Please Note - Because it may not always be possible
for a Referee to hear if a statement made to a player is advice,
please refrain from entering in a conversation with your player
whilst the frame is in progress ( other than general supportive
comments / barracking) as a Referee could deem any statement as
coaching. |
| b) |
No mobile phones will be allowed around the table / used
around the table, whilst the frame is in progress by players / referee's
involved in that frame. Any player doing so will be penalised with
a foul.
(Any referee doing so will invoke a penalty against their player involved
in the frame) |
| c) |
If during a game a third party calls out, for example 'thats a
foul' this can be deemed as coaching the referee and player involved
and will invoke a penalty against their team player involved in the
frame. |
| d) |
A referee cannot interfere with play / coach the player into nominating
a pocket for black (after asking in the first instance as per the
referee's guidance). If a referee does so then it will be deemed a
foul against that referee's team. |
| 12 |
REFEREES GENERAL GUIDLINES |
| |
Two Referees’ per frame, one from each team, in standard league
matches. |
| |
The choice of Referee’s is for the Captains to decide, and the
same Referee may be used more than once. A Captain and Vice Captain
should not be both refereeing and playing together, thus enabling
the Vice Captain to take over the Captain’s duties, if the Captain
is refereeing or playing, and vice versa. |
| |
In an effort to ensure fair play and sportsmanship, Captains are
asked to give serious consideration to using Referee’s who are conversant
with the playing rules. |
| |
Captains are expected to keep non-players away from the table
at all times. |
| |
Both Referees’ must agree on any decisions. If the Referee’s cannot
agree, then the Captains must be consulted. If a Captain does not
agree with a referee’s decision, then the game must be stopped. If
both Referee’s and Captain’s can reach no agreement, then a League
Official must be contacted. |
| |
Any discussions or Referee’s disputes must only involve the players
on the frame in dispute, Referee’s and Captain’s. (or Vice Captain’s
if the Captain is a player or Referee) |
| |
All other persons must stay well away from the match table. |
| |
If any player wilfully interferes with play, then the player’s
team will concede the frame. (NOTE - This includes stopping any ball
going into a pocket.) The player should always ask the Referee's before
handling any ball on the table. |
| |
If a player is unsure of a rule, the player must audibly ask both
Referees’ for an interpretation. To approach a Captain or team member
during a frame may be misconstrued as coaching. It is the
player’s responsibility to conform to the rules. |
| |
NOTE: Coaching is not allowed - the committee
will vigorously deal with Complaints of coaching. |
| 13 |
REFEREES DUTIES |
| |
a) The Referee’s should ensure the game is played according to
the playing rules, and to announce shots as needed for the benefit
of players and spectators alike. Special attention should
be made by the referee’s to the correct calling procedures. |
| |
b) In order to carry out these duties, the Referee’s will be in
such a position that a clear view of the player and table is available,
without obstruction or distraction to the player, also bearing the
viewing of spectators in mind. |
| |
c) Referees should not handle any ball on the table. Handling
of an object ball or cue ball should only be done by the player addressing
the table, with Referee’s consent. |
| |
d) If a Referee does handle any ball during a frame, then the
frame will be awarded against the Referee’s team. Except when handling
the spare white ball (see rule 9b playing rules). |
| |
e) The Referee should inform the oncoming player of the legality
of any situation, before the player addresses the table, by clearly
stating all the options. |
| VERBAL CALLING
PROCEDURES - for the benefit of players and spectators alike
|
| |
FOUL BREAK - “Foul break, opponent to restart
frame with two shots”
BLACK OFF TABLE OR POTTED, ON BREAK - “Re rack,
player who broke to restart the frame without penalty”
FOUL WHEN GROUP NOT ESTABLISHED - “Foul, 2 shots,
free table with 1st shot, open table, Cue ball may be re spotted
”
ANY FOUL DURING FRAME - “Foul, 2 shots, free table
with 1st shot, Cue ball may be re spotted”
FOUL ON BLACK (RULE 8c & 8e & 8f ONLY)
- “Foul, 2 shots, free table with 1st shot, black may be re spotted,
Cue ball may be re spotted”
FOUL ON BLACK (RULE 8g ONLY - 1st FOUL) - "Foul,
2 shots, free table with 1st shot, 1st foul”
FOUL ON BLACK (RULE 8g ONLY - 2nd FOUL) - "Foul,
2 shots, free table with 1st shot, 2nd foul, black may be re spotted”
BALL/S POTTED ON BREAK (RULE 3a) – “Red/Yellow
ball potted, please nominate colour” (After nomination without further
prompting from the Referee), “Red/Yellow ball nominated”. If the
colour nominated has already been potted on the break then “Red/Yellow
ball in play”, If the nominated colour wasn’t potted on the break,
then no further call until - If the nominated colour (not potted
on the break), is potted “Red/Yellow ball in play” and after shots
are over, repeat to the oncoming player. If the nominated colour
(not potted on the break), is not potted “Open table”
WHEN FIRST LEGAL BALL POTTED (RULE 3c ONLY) - “Red/Yellow
ball in play” - after the shots are over, repeat to the oncoming
player. After this point no further mention of groups should be
made, unless a player in control requests clarification.
BOTH RED/YELLOW BALLS POTTED ON OPEN TABLE (RULE 3c ONLY)
- “Red/Yellow balls potted, please nominate group” (After nomination
without further prompting from the Referee), “Red/Yellow ball in
play.”
CUE BALL TOUCHING AN OBJECT BALL - “Touching ball”
then point to the ball that the cue ball is touching.
GAME AWAY - “Game away” explaining reason
THE LEAGUE COMMITTEE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AMMEND THIS
REFEREE’S GUIDANCE WITHOUT NOTICE, DEPENDANT ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES
AS THEY ARISE.
THE LEAGUE COMMITTEE WILL ENDEAVOUR TO NOTIFY MEMBERS AS
SOON AS POSSIBLE FOLLOWING ANY AMMENDMENT. |
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE GAME SHOULD
BE ACCORDING TO THESE RULES IN THE TRUE SPIRIT AND IN A SPORTSMANLIKE
MANNER
Last Update - September 2009 |
