Billiards
Individual Sport
Rules
8 Ball
1. OBJECT OF THE GAME. Eight Ball is a call shot game
played with a cue ball and fifteen object balls, numbered 1 through 15. One
player must pocket balls of the group numbered 1 through 7 (solid colors), while
the other player has 9 thru 15 (stripes). THE PLAYER POCKETING HIS GROUP FIRST
AND THEN LEGALLY POCKETING THE 8-BALL WINS THE GAME.
2. CALL SHOT. In
Call Shot, obvious balls and pockets do not have to be indicated. It is the
opponent's right to ask which ball and pocket if he is unsure of the shot. Bank
shots and combination shots are not considered obvious, and care should be taken
in calling both the object ball and the intended pocket. When calling the shot,
it is NEVER necessary to indicate details such as the number of cushions, banks,
kisses, caroms, etc. Any balls pocketed on a foul remain pocketed, regardless of
whether they belong to the shooter or the opponent.
3. ALTERNATING BREAK.
Winner of the lag or coin flip has the option to break. Players (teams) will
alternate breaking on each subsequent game.
4. JUMPING BALLS AND MASSE
SHOTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.
5. LEGAL BREAK SHOT. To execute a legal break, the
breaker (with the cue ball behind the head string) must either (1) pocket a
ball, or (2) drive at least four numbered balls to the rail. If he fails to make
a legal break, it is a foul, and the incoming player has the option of (1)
accepting the table in position and shooting, or (2) having the balls re-racked
and having the option of shooting the opening break himself or allowing the
offending player to re-break.
6. SCRATCH ON A LEGAL BREAK. If a player
scratches on a legal break shot, (1) all balls pocketed remain pocketed
(exception, the 8-ball: see rule 9), (2) it is a foul, (3) the table is open.
PLEASE NOTE: Incoming player has cue ball in hand behind the head string and may
not shoot an object ball that is behind the head string, unless he first shoots
the cue ball past the head string and causes the cue ball to come back behind
the head string and hit the object ball.
7. OBJECT BALLS JUMPED OFF THE
TABLE ON THE BREAK. If a player jumps an object ball off the table on the break
shot, it is a foul and the ball is spotted. The incoming player then has the
option of (1) accepting the table in position and shooting, or (2) taking cue
ball in hand behind the head string and shooting.
8. 8-BALL POCKETED ON
THE BREAK. If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break, the breaker may ask for a
re-rack or have the 8-ball spotted and continue shooting. If the breaker
scratches while pocketing the 8-ball on the break, the incoming player has the
option of a re-rack or having the 8-ball spotted and begins shooting with ball
in hand behind the head string.
9. THE OPENING BREAK is not a "called
shot." Any player performing a break shot in 8-Ball may continue to shoot his
next shot so long as he has legally pocketed any object ball on the
break.
10. OPEN TABLE. The table is "open" when the choice of
groups (stripes or solids) has not yet been determined. When the table is open,
it is legal to hit a solid first to make a stripe or vice-versa. Note: The table
is always open immediately after the break shot. When the table is open it is
legal to hit any solid or stripe or the 8-ball first in the process of pocketing
the called stripe or solid. However, when the table is open and the 8-ball is
the first ball contacted, no stripe or solid may be scored in favor of the
shooter. The shooter loses his turn; any balls pocketed remain pocketed; and the
incoming player addresses the balls with the table still open. On an open table,
all illegally pocketed balls remain pocketed.
11. CHOICE OF GROUP. The
choice of stripes or solids is not determined on the break even if balls are
made from only one or both groups. THE TABLE IS ALWAYS OPEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER
THE BREAK SHOT. The choice of group is determined only when a player legally
pockets a called object ball after the break shot.
12. LEGAL SHOT. On all
shots (except on the break and when the table is open), the shooter must hit one
of his group of balls first and (1) pocket a numbered ball, or (2) cause the cue
ball or any numbered ball to contact a rail.
13. PLEASE NOTE: It is
permissible for the shooter to bank the cue ball off a rail before contacting
his object ball; however, after contact with his object ball, an object ball
must be pocketed, OR the cue ball or any numbered ball must contact a rail.
Failure to meet these requirements is a foul.
14. SCORING. A player is
entitled to continue shooting until he fails to legally pocket a ball of his
group. After a player has legally pocketed his entire group of balls, he shoots
to pocket the 8-ball.
15. SCRATCHING is considered a foul and the opposing
player gets ball in hand.
16. FOUL PENALTY. Opposing player gets cue ball
in hand. This means that the player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table
(does not have to be behind the head string except on opening break). This rule
prevents a player from making intentional fouls which would put his opponent at
a disadvantage. With "cue ball in hand," the player may use his hand or any part
of his cue (including the tip) to position the cue ball. When placing the cue
ball in position, any forward stroke motion contacting the cue ball will be a
foul, if not a legal shot.
17. COMBINATION SHOTS. Combination shots are allowed;
however, the 8-ball cannot be used as a first ball in the combination except
when the table is open.
18. ILLEGALLY POCKETED BALLS. An object ball is
considered to be illegally pocketed when (1) that object ball is pocketed on the
same shot a foul is committed, or (2) the called ball did not go in the
designated pocket. Illegally pocketed balls remain pocketed.
19. OBJECT
BALLS JUMPED OFF THE TABLE. If any object ball is jumped off the table, it is a
foul and loss of turn, unless it is the 8-ball, which is a loss of game. Any
jumped object balls are spotted.
20. LOSS OF GAME. A player loses the
game if he commits any of the following infractions:
* Fouls when pocketing
the 8-ball (exception: see 8-Ball Pocketed on The Break).
* Pockets the
8-ball on the same stroke as the last of his group of balls.
* Jumps the
8-ball off the table at any time.
* Pockets the 8-ball in a pocket other than
the one designated.
* Pockets the 8-ball when it is not the legal object
ball.
* Scratches during the attempt to make the 8-ball.
IMA Points
See Handbook