8 Ball Umpire

[For Total Snooker refer to Rule G ‘Legal Shot’ part 3 (b)]

(1) Definition: A player is Snookered when it is impossible to play the finest cut possible on both sides of any of that player’s own Colour by way of a “straight – line” shot. Snookering an opponent is not a foul.

(2) A player cannot be Snookered by a ball of the player’s own Colour. That is, if one of the player’s own coloured group is an obstructing ball, it will be ignored for the purposes of determining a Snooker.

(3) A player cannot be Snookered on an Object Ball if the Cue Ball is touching that Object Ball.

(4) A player cannot be Snookered by the straight sections of the cushions. If a straight section of a cushion is preventing the finest possible cut on the side of an Object Ball, that section of cushion will be deemed not to exist for the purposes of determining a Snooker on that Object Ball.

(5) If an Object Ball is partly obscured by a curved section of a cushion (Jaw), this in itself does not constitute a Snooker.

(1) Definitions: Most shots commonly known as “Push Shots” in the game of “Snooker” are allowed in the game of Eight – Ball Pool. Generally, any shot played with speed will not be deemed to be a Push Shot regardless of the fact that the cue tip may have come into contact with the Cue Ball more than once.

(2) Exceptions that are Standard Fouls:- (a) When, during the playing of a shot, the tip of the cue strikes the Cue Ball twice and the referee is able to actually see each contact. (b) When, during the playing of a shot, a player plays the cue so slowly through the Cue Ball that the cue tip remains in contact with the Cue Ball so as to be visibly pushing it along. (c) When the Cue Ball is played into a touching Object Ball. {See (R) Touching Balls}

(1) Committing a foul in the same shot that the Eight Ball is potted. (Except on the Break)

(2) Potting the Eight Ball when a ball or balls of the player’s own Colour are still on the table. (Except on the Break)

(3) Potting the Eight Ball and the last ball or balls of the player’s own Colour in the same shot.

(4) Deliberately striking a ball other than the Cue Ball with the tip of the cue

(5) Deliberately causing any ball or balls to be moved in a manner other than that which may result from playing a normal shot.

(6) Deliberately striking the Cue Ball with other than the tip of the cue.

(7) Deliberately interfering, by word or action, so as to disrupt an opponent’s play. (8) If a player breaches the “Spirit of the Game” to such an extent that the frame (or match) should be awarded to the opponent.

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 then awards two visits to the opponent.

(1) Potting the Cue Ball – “In Off” { except on a Fair Break – see (F) The Break (4)(c)(1) } The incoming player plays from Baulk { see (E) Playing from Baulk (d)(1) }

(2) Playing from outside Baulk when obliged to play from Baulk. { see (E) Playing from Baulk (2)(a) }

(3) Potting an opponent’s ball. (except, when it is the properly nominated ball following a Foul Snooker or Foul Jaw Snooker)

(4) Playing out of turn. {A player who plays a shot immediately after playing a foul or immediately after the referee has called a foul on that player, has played out of turn.

(5) Accidentally striking the Cue Ball with any part of the cue other than the tip.

(6) Accidentally striking an Object Ball with any part of the cue or cue tip.

(7) Playing a shot before all balls have come to rest from the previous shot.

(8) Playing a shot before any balls that require spotting, have been spotted.

(9) (a) Touching the table while having a cigarette (lit or unlit) in hand or mouth. (b) Causing a cigarette (lit or unlit) to touch the table or enter the space directly above the table. (c) Touching the table while having a beverage container in hand. (d) Causing a beverage container or beverage to touch the table or enter the space directly above the table.

(10) Touching the table when not in control of the frame. {See (C) Definitions {Player in Control}

Exception: When a players’ turn is finished, that player has a maximum of ten (10) seconds to move away from the table. {See 11 below}

(11) Not moving away from the table within ten (10) seconds of the time that all the balls stopped moving from the final shot of a turn at the table.

(12) Coaching: – During a frame, a player is required to play without receiving any advice from other persons relating to the playing of the frame. Should a team member or bone-fide supporter of a player offer advice, the referee will issue a “First and Final Warning” to that person that a repetition will result in the player being penalised via a Standard Foul. Because it may not always be possible for the Referee to hear if a statement made to a player is advice, the referee may issue the First and Final Warning on the grounds that any statement made to a player, other than general barracking, is deemed to be coaching. In a tournament setting, a First and Final warning may be given once only, before the commencement of the day’s play as a block warning to all players and spectators.

(13) Leaving the playing area without permission. If a player needs to leave the playing area during a frame or match, “Time Out” must firstly be granted by the referee. { see (I) Time Allowed (5) }

(14) Playing a shot after neglecting to nominate a choice of Colour when the obligation and right to do so existed. { see (H) Deciding Colours (1)(d) }

(15) Playing a Push Shot or Double Hit of a type defined in (N) Push Shots and Double Hits.

(16) Failing to perform a “Legal Shot”. { see(G) Legal Shot }

(17) After being awarded a Foul Snooker or Foul Jaw Snooker: – Playing an opponent’s ball or the Eight Ball without firstly nominating that ball.

(18) Playing a shot while not having at least one foot touching the floor. (19) Failing to “Play Away” from a touching ball. { see (R) Touching Balls (1)(a) }

(20) A ball remaining off the table. {see (S) Balls Off the Table}

(21) Players body or clothing touching any ball.

(22) Jump shot.(If the Cue ball leaves the bed of the table and misses an Object ball that would have been struck had the Cue Ball not left the table on an otherwise identical shot, the Cue Ball is deemed to have jumped over that object ball).A break shot that results in the pack being jumped will be deemed to be not a Fair Break (see 4b)

There are three types of foul. Standard Fouls, Non-Standard Fouls, and Loss of Frame Fouls. A player can only be penalised for one foul at a time.

If two or more fouls are committed during a shot, the foul that carries the most severe penalty will apply

(1) A player has a maximum of sixty seconds to play each shot.

(2) The Referee will start timing when all balls have come to rest from the previous shot.

(3) If the first thirty seconds elapses before a shot is played, the referee will call “Thirty Seconds” as a warning to the player. This call must be made the instant the thirty seconds has expired. A Referee should not postpone the call because it appears that the player is about to play a shot.

(4) If a shot is not played within sixty seconds it is a Non-Standard Foul. The incoming player is awarded two visits from: -(a)Where the Cue Ball lies, or, if the player wishes (b) From Baulk.

(5) The referee may decide to grant “Time Out”, being a period when timing ceases:- (a) At the request of a player. (For example, something is obstructing the player or the player needs to leave the playing area.) and / or (b) Because the referee deems that it is warranted. (For example, the referee may call time out when making a close foul snooker decision or when searching for a piece of equipment requested by the player.)

(6) When the referee has racked the balls the referee will call “Time Running”. The oncoming player then must play the break shot within 60 seconds. J Fouls There are three types of foul. Standard Fouls, Non-Standard Fouls, and Loss of Frame Fouls. A player can only be penalised for one foul at a time. If two or more fouls are committed during a shot, the foul that carries the most severe penalty will apply

(1) General (a) When Colours have not been decided the table is deemed to be “Open”. When the table is open a player may play at either group of Colours. (b) Colours can never be decided on a foul shot. (c) Once Colours are decided, the player remains “On” that coloured group for the duration of the frame. The opponent remains “On” the opposite coloured group. (d) Playing a shot after neglecting to nominate a choice of Colours is a Standard Foul. Any balls potted on such a shot are left in the pocket and ignored for the purpose of deciding Colours.

(2) On the Break (a)If no Colours are potted on the break the table is “Open”. (b) If one or more Colours are potted on the break the player then has a right and obligation to verbally advise the referee of a choice of Colour before proceeding. Failure to do so is a Standard Foul. If a player is fouled under this rule the opponent faces an “Open” table. (c) (i) If the player nominates a Colour that was potted on the break, the player is on that colour no matter what happens next. (ii) If the player nominates a Colour that was not potted on the break, to be on that Colour, the player must pot a ball of that Colour on the next shot.

(3) After the Break (a) If a player pots one or more balls of the same Colour, the player is then “On” that Colour. (b) If a player pots one or more balls of different Colours, the player then has a right and obligation to verbally advise the referee of a choice of Colour before proceeding. Once a colour is nominated in these circumstances, the player is on that colour no matter what happens next. Failure to nominate is a Standard Foul. If a player is fouled under this rule, the opponent faces an “Open” table.

(1) On all shots, the player must:- (a) Cause the Cue Ball’s initial contact with a ball to be with a ball “On”, AND THEN (b) Pot a ball “On” 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. {See (F) The Break} (b) When playing out of a Total Snooker a player is only obliged to meet the conditions of (1)(a) above. i) 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. ii) If a player believes that a Total Snooker exists, the player may ask the referee for a ruling. iii) 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.

(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 an 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.

(1) The Object Balls are racked as shown with the Eight-Ball on the Spot.

(2) In the absence of any competition / tournament rules to the contrary, a coin will be tossed or players will ‘lag’ to determine which player will break. Rules for the ‘lag’ Each player should use balls of equal size and weight. These should be the only two balls on the table. With the balls in baulk, one player to the left the other to the right of the table, the balls are struck simultaneously to the foot cushion and back to the baulk end of the table. The player whose ball is the closest to the innermost edge of the baulk cushion wins the lag. The lagged ball must contact the foot cushion at least once. Other cushion contacts are immaterial, except as prohibited below. It is an automatic loss of the lag if: (1) The ball crosses into the opponent’s half of the table, (2) The ball fails to contact the foot cushion,

(3) The ball drops into a pocket, (4) The ball jumps off the table, (5) The ball touches the long cushion, (6) The ball rests within the corner pocket and past the nose of the head cushion, or (7) The ball contacts the foot cushion more than once. If both players violate automatic-loss lag rules, or if the referee is unable to determine which ball is closer, the lag is a tie and is replayed. If one player strikes the ball, the other player has to strike his ball before the opponent’s ball reaches the foot cushion in order to have a simultaneous lag. If this is not the case and the referee feels that the player who played second wanted to get an advantage out of that, then the lag has to be replayed. The winner of the toss or lag shall decide who will break first. If a series of frames is to be played (A Match),the break of each subsequent frame will alternate. (3) The first shot of a frame is called the “Break”. To “Break”, the Cue Ball is played at the triangle of Object Balls from Baulk. The frame is deemed to have commenced the instant that the Cue Ball is played.

(4) (a)The Break will be deemed a “Fair Break” if:- Yellow J (i)At least one Colour is potted. OR (ii) Four Object Balls (at least) are driven to a cushion. (b)If the Break is not a Fair Break it is a Non-Standard Foul and:- (i)The opponent is awarded two visits. (ii)The balls are re-racked. (iii) The opponent re-starts the game and is under the same obligation to achieve a Fair Break. (c)(i) If the Cue Ball is potted on a Fair Break it is a Non-Standard Foul that is penalised by the turn passing to the opponent. (ii) If the break is not a Fair Break and the Cue Ball is potted, the penalty for failure to perform a Fair Break applies. (See (b) above).

(5) If the Eight-Ball is potted on any break, the balls are re-racked and the same player will break again. When the Eight-Ball is potted on the break, all other aspects of the shot are ignored. (Except if a breach of the “Spirit of the Game occurs)

(6) Where the wrong player performs the break, if:- (i) the break is fair, the opponent will continue with 2 visits and an open table. (ii) the break is not a Fair Break, see 4(b) above.

(7) Lag for break If competition or tournament rules require a lag for break then the following procedure should be used: Each player should use balls of equal size and weight. These should be the only two balls on the table. With the balls in baulk, one player to the left and one to the right of the table, the balls are struck simultaneously to the foot cushion and back to the baulk end of the table. The player whose ball is the closest to the innermost edge of the baulk cushion wins the lag. The lagged ball must contact the foot cushion at least once. Other cushion contacts are immaterial, except as prohibited below.

It is an automatic loss of the lag if: (a) the ball crosses into the opponent’s half of the table, (b) the ball fails to contact the foot cushion, (c) the ball drops into a pocket, (d) the ball jumps the table, (e) the ball touches the long cushion, (f) the ball rests within the corner pocket and past the nose of the head cushion, or (g) the ball contacts the foot cushion more than once. If both players violate automatic-loss lag rules, or if the referee is unable to determine which ball is closer, the lag is a tie and is replayed. If one player strikes the ball, the other player has to strike his ball before the opponent’s ball reaches the foot cushion in order to have a simultaneous lag. If this is not the case and the referee feels that the player who played second wanted to get an advantage out of that, then the lag has to be replayed.

(1) Baulk is the rectangular area of the table that is bordered by the Baulk Line and the three cushions at that end of the table.

(2) When playing from Baulk:- (a) The centre point of the Cue Ball must be in Baulk when a shot is played. (If the centre point of the Cue Ball is directly on the Baulk Line it is not deemed to be in Baulk.) (b) The Cue Ball can be moved into position by hand or with the shaft of the cue, but when touched by the tip of the cue, a shot is deemed to have been played. (c) The Cue Ball may be played in any direction. (d) If a player wishes to play from Baulk after a “Foul Snooker”, “Foul Jaw Snooker” or “Time Foul”:- The player must verbally advise the referee of this choice and the referee will then recover the Cue Ball and hand it to the player or place it on top of, and in the centre of, the cushion at the Baulk end of the table for the player to retrieve by hand. (e) After an “In Off”, “Foul Snooker”, “Foul Jaw Snooker” or “Time Foul” the player must endeavour to position the Cue Ball so as not to create a Foul Snooker. If the player claims a Foul Snooker from Baulk, the referee may choose to move the Cue Ball around to determine if there is any position in Baulk where the player would not be Foul Snookered. Whether such a position is found or not, the referee will announce the result and hand the Cue Ball back to the player or place it on top of, and in the centre of, the cushion at the Baulk end of the table for the player to retrieve by hand.