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Rules of Play The game is "Bar Room 8-Ball". The player legally pocketing the 8-ball after pocketing all seven of the target balls (solids or stripes) is the winner. All scratches are played ball-in-hand anywhere behind the Head String by the opponent. After a scratch, the Cue ball must cross the Head String before striking an Object ball. Balls pocketed illegally remain pocketed and the player loses his turn. |
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The Break : The balls are racked tightly in a triangle at the foot of the table -- the first ball on the Foot Spot with the 8-ball in the center directly behind the first ball. The remaining order of the rack is immaterial. The breaking player may request that the balls be reracked (if loose) or repositioned (if not on the Foot Spot or misaligned). The breaking player must break from behind the Head String - if not, the breaking player loses his turn and the racking player breaks. On the break at least four object balls must strike a rail, otherwise it is a miscue. If the Cue ball strikes a rail before striking the rack, it is a miscue. If the break is a miscue -- and no object balls are pocketed -- the racking player may choose to play the balls as broken, or the racking player may choose to rerack the balls and let the breaking player break again. Upon a second miscue, the balls will be played as broken. If the breaking player miscues on the break -- and an Object ball is pocketed -- the breaking player must shoot the balls as broken. If one ball (or more of the same type) is pocketed on the break, the breaking player must play the balls that were pocketed. For example, a stripe is made on the break, the breaking player must play stripes and the racking player will play solids. If at least one solid and one stripe are pocketed on the break, the breaking player may choose to shoot either stripe or solid. Until another ball is legally pocketed, the table remains open. If the 8-ball is made on the break without a scratch, then the breaking player wins the game. With a scratch, the breaking player loses. Calling shots : If a shot is not obvious, the player should call the shot. Combinations, kiss shots, double kiss shots, bank shots must be called. Players need to only call the Object ball to be pocketed, the target pocket and type of shot (bank, combination, etc.) Players need not call whether other balls will be pocketed or the order in which balls will be pocketed. As long as the target ball is pocketed as called, the shot is good and the player continues to shoot. See Provisional Rule on Legitimate Shots below Jump shots : are not permitted, regardless of house rules. Split Shots : The Cue ball may strike two Object balls simultaneously, provided the two Object balls are of the same type -- i.e., both stripes or both solids. The shot must be called as a "split shot". The 8-ball may not be used in the split. Bank and kick shots : All shots in which an Object ball is driven into the rail (bank shots) or the Cue ball strikes the rail before hitting an Object ball (kick or rail shots) must be called. The player must call the number of rails the Cue ball or Object ball will touch, however, on kick or bank shots the "short rail" rule applies: the Cue ball or Object ball may hit a rail adjacent to the target pocket ("a short rail") without the that rail being called as a second (or third) rail. see diagrams (pdf)
Kiss (carom) shots (object ball hitting another object ball): Shots need not go in "cleanly" -- an Object ball may bump along a short rail before being pocketed, however, the Object ball may not bump against another ball unless a kiss shot is called. In the absence of a called kiss, it is assumed that the player intended for the shot to be pocketed without touching any other ball. Double kiss shots (the Object ball kissing off the Cue ball a second time) are permitted, if called. Object balls may kiss the 8-ball, if called. The 8-ball may kiss another ball, if called. When calling a kiss shot, the player must simply indicate the target ball that will be pocketed and the Object ball(s) that will be kissed. The player does not have to indicate whether that Object ball or any other Object ball will or will not be pocketed as part of the shot. Shots called "to follow the kiss ball" or "off the kiss ball" are both treated simply as a kiss shot. If the target ball is pocketed after touching the called "kiss ball", the shot is legal regardless of any other balls being pocketed (or not), or the order in which the balls are pocketed. Kiss (billiard) shots (cue ball hitting an object ball before hitting the target ball): When kissing the Cue ball off an Object ball and the cue travels into the target ball the first Object ball kissed must match the ball being pocketed (similar to the combination rule below). This rule applies whether the table is "open" or not. Any contact of the Cue ball with other balls or cushions between hitting the initial kiss ball and the target ball must also be called. The Cue ball may not kiss off the 8-ball into another Object ball if the 8-ball is the first ball struck by the cue. The Cue ball may not kiss any Object ball when the 8-ball is the target (see the "Last Ball exception" noted under 8-ball below). Combinations : The Object ball struck by the Cue ball must match the ball being pocketed (stripe or solid). Intermediary balls in the combination need not match the object/pocketed ball. The 8-ball may be used as an intermediary ball in a combination, but may not be used as the first Object ball in the combination. For example, a 1-10-2 combination is acceptable, as is a 14-8-15. Conversely, a 1-2-15 or 8-7-6 combination is not acceptable. This rule applies whether the table is "open" or not. When shooting a combination, the player must call all intermediary object balls in the combination, but the player does not have to call whether intermediary object balls will touch a rail or not. However, if the Cue ball is going to hit a rail before contact with the first ball in the combination, that must be called as a kick or rail shot as well as the combination. The 8-ball : If the 8-ball is made out of turn (before all of the solids or stripes are pocketed), the player pocketing the 8-ball loses. The exception is on the Break. If the Cue ball scratches or leaves the table while a player is shooting the 8-ball, the player loses the game - regardless of whether or not the 8-ball is pocketed. If the 8-ball ever leaves the table, then the shooting player loses the game. Object balls may be kissed off the 8-ball, provided the player calls a kiss shot. The Cue ball may kiss off the 8-ball into another Object ball, provided the 8-ball is not the first ball struck by the Cue ball. The 8-ball cannot be the first ball struck in a combination. (In other words, treat the 8-ball as your opponent's ball.) The 8-ball may be pocketed after kissing off another ball, provided the kiss shot is called. When shooting the 8-ball, the Cue ball may not hit any other ball before the 8-ball. If the Cue ball hits another ball first and the 8-ball is not pocketed, the player loses his turn. If the Cue ball hits another ball first and the 8-ball is pocketed, the player loses the game (with the one exception noted below). Exception to the above rule: if the Last Object ball and 8-ball are called in the same shot. When called, if a player pockets his last ball and then pockets the 8-ball, he wins the game. If he pockets the 8-ball before pocketing his last Object ball, he loses the game. If called, and he pockets the last ball but fails to make the 8-ball, he loses his turn. Any other contact of the Cue ball with other balls or cushions between hitting the last Object ball and the 8-ball, or 8-ball contact with other balls, must also be called. If a player, while shooting at the 8-ball, interferes with any balls while they are in motion (cue or |
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object) and the 8-ball is pocketed, the player loses. Miscues and Errors : If the shooting player moves an Object ball before a shot is made, the Object ball either remains in the new position or is replaced to its original position at the option of the opposing player. The opposing player replaces the ball in its original spot and the shooting player resumes shooting. If a player moves or touches the Cue ball (either personally or with his cue or bridge) before the shot is made, the player loses his turn. If, while the balls are in motion, the player touches or moves the Cue ball or an Object ball (either personally or with his cue or bridge), then he loses his turn. If this happens while shooting the 8-ball, and the 8-ball is pocketed, the player loses the game. If a player accidentally knocks an Object ball into a pocket, the |
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ball remains pocketed and the player loses his turn. If it is the 8-ball, the player loses the game. Scratch / Ball-in-hand: All scratch shots are played ball-in-hand from behind the Head String. The Cue ball must cross the Head String before striking an Object ball. This means that an Object ball must be completely over the Head String to be a legal "non-kick" shot. (In other words, if you place a cue stick from center-of-dot-to-center-of-dot and any of the Object ball is under the cue stick, that Object ball is not "over the line".) A Cue ball leaving the table is treated as a scratch. Object balls leaving the table are spotted on the Foot Spot ("the Rack Spot"). Outside Aids : Players may not mark the table or place objects, such as chalk or cigarettes to form a target. Team members may use their fingers to locate a target, but the finger must be removed from the table prior to the shot. Advice : During a game, a player may receive advice or suggestions only from other team members (in other words, no "outside" advice). Players have a maximum of one minute to select and shoot their shots. Opposing captains may notify the Player's captain that the Player is taking too much time. See Provisional Rule below Disputes : If a situation arises that is not addressed by these rules or cannot be settled by the Team Captains, the League President will decide. Captains are in the best position to settle a dispute during play. If they agree, it is permissible to re-shoot the entire game. Courtesy : Billiard games are for fun and all players should participate to enjoy themselves. Any Player who threatens another, or who brings a weapon to the games will be permanently banned from the League. This will be enforced on the first offense. After winning a game, shake your opponent's hand before high-fiving your own team mates. If you're unhappy about how you're playing on a particular night, refrain from slamming the tables - with cue sticks or anything else. Do not ever throw a game in frustration! Players should be ready to start their games at the conclusion of the prior game. (In other words, get your drinks or go to the restroom before your game begins.) Captains should encourage all team members to remain until the last game is played. Players have up to one minute to select and shoot their shot. (This is a maximum, and should not be the norm). The opposing Captain may notify the player's Captain that the Player is taking too much time. Games should average no more than 10-15 minutes. The two complete rounds should take no more than 2 hours. Players will provide opponents with space to make shots and not cause distractions. Team captains should encourage friends and spectators to not cause distractions or interfere with play. Legitimate shots (Provisional Rule for this season only) All players should attempt to legally hit an Object ball on each shot. A legitimate shot is one in which the Cue ball strikes one of the player's Object balls and either the Cue ball or an Object ball strikes a rail (or is pocketed). There will be times when a player will attempt a shot, but may not accomplish a legitimate shot (a miscue, inability to "see" an Object ball, the ball was hit too softly to reach the pocket, the Cue ball nicks an opposing player's ball before striking his own, etc.) If the opposing team's captain feels that the player did not make a good-faith attempt at a legitimate shot, the opposing team's captain may notify the shooter's captain (or the shooter, if the captain is not available). After "giving notice", if that shooter during that game fails to accomplish a legitimate shot on object balls other than the 8-ball, the opposing player may choose to play the balls as they lie or play ball-in-hand behind the Head String (as if it were a scratch). This option is not available if the "on notice" player is shooting at the 8-ball -- in which case the balls must be played as they lie. Remember, if the Cue ball strikes the player's Object ball and drives something to a rail it is a legal shot and the player cannot be put on notice for that shot. Only the opposing team's captain may put a player "on notice" and notice must be given before the next shot is taken. This is a social league. Good sportsmanship works both ways -- players should attempt to make a legitimate shot and captains should not penalize good efforts. When reporting results, the captains will identify if any players were put "on notice", and if so, in which game the notice occurred. At the end of the season, the League President will review how often this rule was invoked as well as which teams invoked it, and which players were put "on notice". Advice (Provisional Rule for this season only) During a game, a player may receive advice or suggestions only from other team members (in other words, no "outside" advice). During his turn at the table, a player may request a "timeout" to ask for detailed advice from a teammate. A player is allowed one timeout per game. The player selects one person to talk to during the timeout. (not in booklet, but agreed to at the captain’s meeting) The player's captain may remind a player of his right to call a timeout. Players are free to talk to their teammates about possible shots or strategy while the opposing player is shooting. Teammates may also make brief comments or suggestions during the player's turn at the table. In the absence of a timeout, players have a maximum of one minute to select and shoot their shots. Opposing captains may notify the Player's captain that the Player is taking too much time, or should call a timeout.
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