8 Ball Umpire

Non-Standard fouls are to be called by the referee as soon as they occur and the fouled player is in control, until all balls from that shot come to rest. The referee will then impose the relevant penalty. Non-Standard Fouls are so called because the penalty and / or options of the incoming player may vary.

(1) Failure to perform a Fair Break. { see (F) The Break (4)(a)&(b) }

(2) Failure to play a shot within 60 seconds of the time that the balls came to rest from the previous shot. { see (I) Time Allowed (4) }

(3) Potting the Cue Ball on a Fair Break. { see (F) The Break (4)(c)(1) }

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

(1) The Referee’s decision is final except where players have been advised that it is possible to appeal to a Head Referee or other higher authority.

(2) Information to be disclosed / not disclosed by a referee:-

 (a) (i) 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.

(ii) 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: – “whose 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.

(3) The referee shall either toss a coin, or the players shall lag, to determine the break. The winner of the toss or lag shall decide who will break first and the referee shall announce the decision.

(4) If an Object Ball (or balls) is potted on the break the referee will advise both players of this fact by announcing the Ball (or balls) potted. When Colours are decided for the first time, the referee will announce “Player ‘A’ On Red (or Yellow) Balls”. When that player’s turn is complete the referee will advise the incoming player of the situation by announcing “Player ‘B’ on Yellow (or Red) Balls”.

(5) (a) The Referee will call fouls as soon as they occur and the fouled player loses control of the table.

(i) The call for a Standard Foul is “Foul, Two Visits”.

(ii) The call for a Non-Standard Foul is “Foul, (and announce the relevant penalty).”

(iii) 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”. (Except for 30 second time warnings and for any fouls that may occur) 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.

(6) The referee will call any instance when the Cue Ball is touching a ball “On”.

(7) In the absence of any competition / tournament rules to the contrary, two referees will referee each frame. One referee will make the standard calls such as “Second Visit” and “Player A on Red (or Yellow) Balls” while the other referee will keep the time.

 Both referees’ will be involved in the refereeing of the frame and either can call fouls.

 If one referee calls a foul, the other referee cannot overrule the call. That is, the two referees have equal authority.

The referee shall declare a Stalemate if both the player and the opponent have three turns in succession where the Cue Ball fails to make contact with an Object Ball. In such a case, the frame will be replayed with the same player breaking.

A situation may arise during a frame where it is impossible for a player to play a shot without fouling. In such a situation the player has no other option but to commit a foul.

(1) If any balls are moved during a frame:- (a) By a person other than the players taking part in the frame or, (b) As a direct result of one of the players being bumped or, (c) Due to any other event deemed outside the players’ control such as:- (i) “An Act of God” such as an earthquake etc (ii) Tip falling off a cue or end falling off a spider etc, the referee will replace the balls as near as possible to the positions they were in before the incident occurred, no penalty shall be imposed on either of the players and the frame shall continue.

(2) (a) The referee will prevent any unauthorised marking of the table. If a player causes a block of billiard chalk or other foreign matter to be on any part of the table it is not a foul. However, the referee will ensure that the item is removed. (b) If a player repeatedly causes a block of billiard chalk or other foreign matter to be on any part of the table the referee may deem that the player has breeched the Spirit of the Game and award the frame to the opponent. (c) Exception to (a) above: – A cigarette or beverage container. {see (K) Standard Fouls (10)}

(1) Any ball that falls into a pocket at any time, without being struck, shall be replaced by the Referee to its original position, no penalty. Time will be re-started and the player in control continues with the visit.

(2) Should any ball fall into the pocket after a shot is played and before balls come to rest, providing the fallen ball played no part in the shot, once all other balls have stopped moving, it shall be replaced as described above. (a)If a legal pot was made play continues with the same visit. (b)If no pot was made play continues with the next visit. (c)If a foul was made then the next player will continue with the appropriate penalty.

(3) Should any ball fall into the pocket after a shot is played, but before balls come to rest, and the fallen ball would have been struck, then the Referee will replace all balls to their original positions (a) If no infringements of the rules were committed during the shot, or if the cue ball is potted as a result of a ball falling that the cue ball would have otherwise hit, the player who played will replay the shot or may play a different shot (b)If any foul was committed (other than as defined in a) above) then the next player will continue with the appropriate penalty.

(1) It is a Standard Foul if a ball leaves the playing surface (other than being potted) and remains off the playing surface or doesn’t return by its own means.

(2) Definitions / Examples (a) “Playing Surface”:- The Playing Surface of the table is the flat part of the table between the cushions (b) “By its own means”:- (i) It is not a foul if a ball leaves the playing surface, runs along the top of a cushion, drops back on to the playing surface and comes to rest there or falls into a pocket. (ii) It is a Standard Foul if a ball leaves the playing surface, comes into contact with a person or object that is not a part of the table and then returns to the playing surface. (c) “Off the Table”:- It is a Standard Foul if a ball leaves the playing surface and comes to rest on other than the playing surface. (e.g. On the floor or on the top of a cushion) (d) “Spotted”:- A ball is spotted when its centre point is placed on the spot or, if this is not possible, as near as possible to the spot in a direct line between the spot and the centre point of the cushion that lies the greatest distance from the Baulk Line. If this is not possible, as near as is possible to the spot, in a direct line between the spot and the centre point of the baulk line. (e) If any of the following balls require spotting, they are spotted in the following order:- (i) Eight Ball then (ii) Red Balls in any order (or balls numbered 1 to 7 in numerical order) then (iii) Yellow Balls in any order (or balls numbered 9 to 15 in numerical order) Spotted balls should be placed as close to each other and any intervening balls as possible, without touching.

(3) If a ball leaves the playing surface and remains off the playing surface, it shall be returned to the table:- (a) If it is the Cue Ball it is to be played from Baulk. (b) If it is an Object Ball (or Balls) it is to be Spotted.

(1) General (a) If the Cue Ball is touching an Object Ball, the player is obliged to “Play Away” from that Object Ball at an angle of more than 90 degrees. (That is, play the shot without causing the Cue Ball to make any initial further contact with that Object Ball) (b) 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.

(2) When Colours have been decided:- (a) Playing away from a touching Object Ball of the player’s own Colour:- The instant a player plays away from a touching Object Ball of the player’s own Colour, the player is deemed to have played that ball. Therefore, the player needs to then only pot a ball or cause any ball to strike a cushion to fulfil all the requirements of a Legal Shot. (b) Playing away from a touching Object Ball of the opponent’s Colour:- The player must play away from the touching ball and then meet all the requirements of a Legal Shot. (c) (i) Playing away from the touching Eight Ball when “On” the Eight Ball:- The player must play away from the touching Eight Ball and then need only cause any ball to strike a cushion to fulfil the requirements of a Legal Shot. (ii) Playing away from the touching Eight Ball when not “On” the Eight Ball.:- The player must play away from the touching Eight Ball and then meet all the requirements of a Legal Shot. (d) Playing away from two or more touching Object Balls:- (i) If any of the touching Object Balls are of the player’s Colour, the player will be deemed to have played away if the player plays away from any one of the touching balls of the player’s Colour. That is, the player may play into any of the other touching balls. The player needs then to only pot a ball or cause any ball to strike a cushion to fulfil the requirements of a Legal Shot. (ii) If none of the touching Object Balls are of the player’s coloured group, the player must play away from all the touching balls and then meet all the requirements of a Legal Shot.

(3) When Colours have yet to be decided:- (a) Playing away from a touching Coloured Ball:- The instant a player plays away from a touching Coloured Ball the player is deemed to have played that ball. Therefore, the player needs to then only pot a ball or cause any ball to strike a cushion to fulfil all the requirements of a Legal Shot. (b) Playing away from a touching Eight Ball:- The player must play away from the touching Eight Ball and then meet all the requirements of a Legal Shot. (c) Playing away from two or more touching Object Balls:- If the player plays away from any of the touching Coloured Balls the player is deemed to have played that ball. That is, the player may play into any of the other touching Object Balls. The player needs to then only pot a ball or cause any ball to strike a cushion to meet all the requirements of a Legal Shot.

If an opponent fouls and the Cue Ball comes to rest on or near a Jaw (curved part of a cushion), and that Jaw is preventing the player from playing the finest cut possible on both sides of any of that player’s own Colour by way of a “straight – line” shot, the player is deemed to be Foul Snookered and all the rules pertaining to Foul Snookers will apply.

(1) Definition: When an opponent plays a foul shot and this results in the incoming player being snookered, the incoming player is deemed to be Foul Snookered.

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

(3) If the referee rules that a foul snooker exists, the player initially has the following options:- (a) Play the Cue Ball from where it lies. {see (4) (a) below} OR (b) Ask the referee to remove the Cue Ball so as to allow the player to play from Baulk. {see (4) (b) below}

(4) (a) (i) If the player chooses to play the Cue Ball from where it lies, the player may, if the player wishes, nominate the Eight Ball (but see (5) below) or any one of the opponent’s Colour. The player can nominate a particular ball by verbal description of it or its position or by pointing at it. The Referee may ask for further information if any doubt exists as to which ball has been nominated. (ii) Once nominated, a ball is deemed to “become one” of the player’s Colour for the first shot of the first visit. The player may then play any of the player’s own Colour or the nominated ball. If any of the player’s Colour and/or the nominated ball is potted, the player continues with the first visit. (b) If the player chooses to play the Cue Ball from Baulk, a Foul Snooker may no longer exist. In this case the procedure under the heading (E) Playing from Baulk (2) (d) & (2) (e) should be followed. If the referee decides that a Foul Snooker does still exist, the player may nominate a ball and follow the procedure in (4) (a) above.

(5) If the Eight Ball is nominated it may be played, but potting it will mean loss of frame.

(6) (a) If a player is “On” the Eight Ball and Foul Snookered: – The player may play a nominated ball or the Eight Ball and pot either or both of these balls, directly or indirectly, in any pocket or pockets. Assuming the player does not commit a foul:- (i) If neither the Eight Ball nor the nominated ball is potted, the player’s first visit is complete. (ii) If the nominated ball is potted and the Eight Ball is not, the player continues with the first visit. (iii) If the nominated ball and the Eight Ball are potted, the player wins the frame. (iv) If the Eight Ball is potted and the nominated ball is not, the player wins the frame.

(7) If a Foul Snooker exists and the Cue Ball is touching an opponent’s ball or balls, the player may, but is not obliged to, nominate one of those touching balls.

(8) If an opponent fouls and the Cue Ball comes to rest on or near a Jaw (curved part of a cushion), and that Jaw is preventing the player from playing the finest cut possible on both sides of any of that player’s own Colour by way of a “straight – line” shot, the player is deemed to be Foul Snookered (Foul Jaw Snookered) and all the rules pertaining to Foul Snookers will apply.