8 Ball Umpire

(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

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

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)

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) }

(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.

(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}

[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) 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.

The Game is known as Eight-Ball Pool. It is expected that players will always play the game in the true spirit and in a sporting manner.

The Referee will take whatever action is necessary to ensure that the spirit and rules of the game are observed.

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.