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These general rules apply to all
pocket billiard games,
UNLESS specifically
noted to the contrary in the individual game rules. To facilitate the u=
se
and understanding of these general rules, terms that may require defini=
tion
are set in italics so that the reader may refer to the Glossary of Bill=
iard
Terms section for the exact meaning of the term.
3.1 TABLES, BAL=
LS,
EQUIPMENT =
All games described in these rules are designed for tables, balls and
equipment meeting the standards prescribed in the BCA Equipment
Specifications.
3.2 RACKING THE=
BALLS
When racking the balls a triangle must be used, and the apex ball is to=
be
spotted on the foot spot. All the balls must be lined up behind the apex
ball and pressed together so that they all have contact with each other=
.
3.3 STRIKING CU=
E BALL
Legal shots require that the cue ball be struck only with the cue tip.
Failure to meet this requirement is a foul.
3.4 CALLING SHO=
TS
For games of call-shot a player may shoot any ball he chooses, but befo=
re
he shoots, must designate the called ball and called pocket. He need not
indicate any detail such as kisses, caroms, combinations, or cushions (=
all
of which are legal). “Any additionally pocketed ball(s) on a legal
stroke is counted in the shooter's favor.”
3.5 FAILURE TO =
POCKET
A BALL
If a player fails to pocket a ball on a legal shot, then the player's
inning is over, and it is the opponent's turn at the table.
3.6 LAG FOR BRE=
AK
The following procedure is used for the lag for the opening break. Each
player should use balls of equal size and weight (preferably cue balls =
but,
when not available, non-striped object balls). With the balls in hand
behind the head string, one player to the left and one to the right of =
the
head spot, the balls are shot simultaneously to the foot cushion and ba=
ck
to the head end of the table. The player whose ball is the closest to t=
he
innermost edge of the head 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 cr=
osses
into the opponent's half of the table;
(b) The ball fa=
ils to
contact the foot cushion;
(c) The ball dr=
ops
into a pocket;
(d) The ball ju=
mps
off the table;
(e) The ball to=
uches
the long cushion;
(f) The ball re=
sts
within the corner pocket and past the nose of the head cushion, or;
(g) The ball co=
ntacts
the foot rail more than once. If both players violate automatic-loss lag
rules, or if the referee is unable to determine which ball is closer, t=
he
lag is a tie and is replayed.
3.7 OPENING BRE=
AK
SHOT
The opening break shot is determined by either lag or lot. (The lag for
break procedure is required for formal competition.) The player winning=
the
lag or lot has the choice of performing the opening break shot or assig=
ning
it to the opponent.
3.8 CUE BALL ON
OPENING BREAK
The opening break shot is taken with cue ball in hand behind the head
string. The object balls are positioned according to specific game rule=
s.
On the opening break, the game is considered to have commenced once the=
cue
ball has been struck by the cue tip
3.9 DEFLECTING =
THE
CUE BALL ON THE GAME'S OPENING BREAK
On the break shot, stopping or deflecting the cue ball after it has cro=
ssed
the head string and prior to hitting the racked balls is considered a f=
oul
and loss of turn. The opponent has the option of receiving cue ball in =
hand
behind the head string or passing the cue ball in hand behind the head
string back to the offending player. (Exception: 9-Ball, see rule 5.3:
“cue ball in hand anywhere on the table”). A warning must be
given that a second violation during the match will result in the loss =
of
the match by forfeiture. (See Rule 3.28.)
3.10 CUE BALL I=
N HAND
BEHIND THE HEAD STRING
This situation applies in specific games whereby the opening break is
administered or a player's scratching is penalized by the incoming play=
er
having cue ball in hand behind the head string. The incoming player may
place the cue ball anywhere behind the head string. The shooting player=
may
shoot at any object ball as long as the base of the object ball is on or
below the head string. He may not shoot at any ball, the base of which =
is
above the head string, unless he first shoots the cue ball below the he=
ad
string and then by hitting a rail causes the cue ball to come back above
the head string and hit the object ball. The base of the ball (the poin=
t of
the ball touching the table) determines whether it is above or below the
head string. If the incoming player inadvertently places the cue ball o=
n or
below the head string, the referee or the op-posing player must inform =
the
shooting player of improper positioning of the cue ball before the shot=
is
made. If the opposing player does not so inform the shooting player bef=
ore
the shot is made, the shot is considered legal. If the shooting player =
is
informed of improper positioning, he must then reposition the cue ball.=
If
a player positions the cue ball completely and obviously outside the
kitchen and shoots the cue ball, it is a foul. (Refer to rule 2.21) When
the cue ball is in hand behind the head string, it remains in hand (not=
in
play) until the player strikes the cue ball with his cue tip. The cue b=
all
may be adjusted by the player's hand, cue, etc., so long as it remains =
in
hand. Once the cue ball is in play per the above, it may not be impeded=
in
any way by the player; to do so is to commit a foul. Additionally, if t=
he
shot fails to contact a legal object ball or fails to drive the cue ball
over the head string, the shot is a foul and the opposing player has ba=
ll
in hand according to the specific game rules.
3.11 POCKETED B=
ALLS
A ball is considered pocketed if as a result of an otherwise legal shot=
, it
drops off the bed of the table into the pocket and remains there. (A ba=
ll
that drops out of a ball return system onto the floor is not to be
construed as a ball that has not remained pocketed.) A ball that reboun=
ds
from a pocket back onto the table bed is not a pocketed ball.
3.12 POSITION OF
BALLS
The position of a ball is judged by where its base (or center) rests.
3.13 FOOT ON FL=
OOR
Player must have at least one foot in contact with the floor at the mom=
ent
the cue tip contacts the cue ball, or the shot is a foul. Foot attire m=
ust
be normal in regard to size, shape and manner in which it is worn.
3.14 SHOOTING W=
ITH
BALLS IN MOTION
It is a foul if a player shoots while the cue ball or any object ball i=
s in
motion (a spinning ball is in motion).
3.15 COMPLETION=
OF
STROKE
A stroke is not complete (and therefore is not counted) until all balls=
on
the table have become motionless after the s=
troke
(a spinning ball is in motion).
3.16 HEAD STRING
DEFINED
The area behind the head string does not include the head string. Thus,=
an
object ball that is dead center on the head string is playable when
specific game rules require that a player must shoot at a ball past the
head string. Likewise, the cue ball when being put in play behind the h=
ead
string (cue ball in hand behind the head string), may not be placed
directly on the head string; it must be behind it.
3.17 GENERAL RU=
LE,
ALL FOULS =
Though the penalties for fouls differ from game to game, the following
apply to all fouls:
(a) Player's in=
ning
ends;
(b) If on a str=
oke,
the stroke is invalid and any pocketed balls are not counted to the
shooter's credit, and;
(c) Any ball(s)=
is
re-spotted only if the rules of the specific game require it.
3.18 FAILURE TO
CONTACT OBJECT BALL
It is a foul if on a stroke the cue ball fails to make contact with any
legal object ball first. Playing away from a touching ball does not
constitute having hit that ball.
3.19 LEGAL SHOT=
Unless otherwise stated in a specific game rule, a player must cause the
cue ball to contact a legal object ball and then:
(a) Pocket a nu=
mbered
ball, or;
(b) Cause the c=
ue
ball or any numbered ball to contact a cushion or any part of the rail.
Failure to meet these requirements is a foul.
3.20 CUE BALL S=
CRATCH
It is a foul (scratch) if on a stroke, the cue ball is pocketed. If the=
cue
ball touches an object ball that was already pocketed (for example, in a
pocket full of object balls), the shot is a foul.
3.21 FOULS BY
TOUCHING BALLS
It is a foul to strike, touch or in any way make contact with the cue b=
all
in play or any object balls in play with anything (the body, clothing,
chalk, me- mechanical bridge, cue shaft, etc.) except the cue tip (while
attached to the cue shaft), which may contact the cue ball in the execu=
tion
of a legal shot. Whenever a referee is presiding over a match, any obje=
ct
ball moved during a standard foul must be returned as closely as possib=
le
to its original position as judged by the referee, and the incoming pla=
yer
does not have the option of restoration. (Also see Rule 1.16.1)<=
span
style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>
3.22 FOUL BY
PLACEMENT =
Touching any object ball with the cue ball while it is in hand is a fou=
l.
3.23 FOULS BY D=
OUBLE
HITS
If the cue ball is touching the required object ball prior to the shot,=
the
player may shoot toward it, providing that any normal stroke is employe=
d.
If the cue stick strikes the cue ball more than once on a shot, or if t=
he
cue stick is in contact with the cue ball when or after the cue ball
contacts an object ball, the shot is a foul. (See Rule 2.20 for judging
this kind of shot.) If a third ball is close by, care should be taken n=
ot
to foul that ball under the first part of this rule.
3.24 PUSH SHOT =
FOULS
It is a foul if the cue ball is pushed by the cue tip, with contact bei=
ng
maintained for more than the momentary time commensurate with a stroked
shot. (Such shots are usually referred to as push shots.)
3.25 PLAYER RES=
PONSIBILITY
FOULS
The player is responsible for chalk, bridges, files and any other items=
or
equipment he brings to, uses at, or causes to approximate the table. If=
he
drops a piece of chalk, or knocks off a mechanical bridge head, as
examples, he is guilty of a foul should such an object make contact with
any ball in play (or the cue ball only if no referee is presiding over =
the
match).=
3.26 ILLEGAL JU=
MPING
OF BALL
It is a foul if a player strikes the cue ball below center (“digs
under” or “lofts” the cue ball) and intentionally cau=
ses
it to rise off the bed of the table in an effort to clear an obstructing
ball. Such jumping action may occasionally occur accidentally, and such
“jumps” are not to be considered fouls on their face; they =
may
still be ruled foul strokes, if for example, the ferrule or cue shaft m=
akes
contact with the cue ball in the course of the shot.
3.27 JUMP SHOTS=
Unless otherwise stated in rules for a specific game it is legal to cau=
se
the cue ball to rise off the bed of the table by elevating the cue stic=
k on
the shot, and forcing the cue ball to rebound from the bed of the table.
Any miscue when executing a jump shot is a foul.
3.28 BALLS JUMP=
ED OFF
TABLE
Balls coming to rest other than on the bed of the table after a stroke =
(on
the cushion top, rail surface, floor, etc.) are considered jumped balls.
Balls may bounce on the cushion tops and rails of the table in play wit=
hout
being jumped balls if they return to the bed of the table under their o=
wn
power and without touching anything not a part of the table. The table
shall consist of the permanent part of the table proper. (Balls that st=
rike
or touch anything not a part of the table, such as the light fixture, c=
halk
on the rails and cushion tops, etc., shall be considered jumped balls e=
ven
though they might return to the bed of the table after contacting items
which are not parts of the table proper). In all pocket billiard games,
when a stroke results in the cue ball or any object ball being a jumped
ball off the table, the stroke is a foul. All jumped object balls are
spotted (except in 8 and 9-Ball) when all balls have stopped moving. See
specific game rules for putting the cue ball in play after a jumped cue
ball foul.
3.29 SPECIAL
INTENTIONAL FOUL PENALTY
The cue ball in play shall not be intentionally struck with anything ot=
her
than a cue's attached tip (such as the ferrule, shaft, etc.). While such
contact is automatically a foul under the provisions of Rule 3.19, if t=
he
referee deems the contact to be intentional, he shall warn the player o=
nce
during a match that a second violation during that match will result in=
the
loss of the match by forfeiture. If a second violation does occur, the
match must be forfeited.
3.30 ONE FOUL L=
IMIT
Unless specific game rules dictate otherwise, only one foul is assessed=
on
a player in each inning; if different penalties can apply, the most sev=
ere
penalty is the factor determining which foul is assessed.
3.31 BALLS MOVI=
NG
SPONTANEOUSLY
If a ball shifts, settles, turns or otherwise moves “by itself,&#=
8221;
the ball shall remain in the position it assumed and play continues. A
hanging ball that falls into a pocket “by itself” after bei=
ng
motionless for 5 seconds or longer shall be replaced as closely as poss=
ible
to its position prior to falling, and play shall continue. If an object
ball drops into a pocket “by itself” as a player shoots at =
it,
so that the cue ball passes over the spot the ball had been on, unable =
to
hit it, the cue ball and object ball are to be replaced to their positi=
ons
prior to the stroke, and the player may shoot again. Any other object b=
alls
disturbed on the stroke are also to be replaced to their original posit=
ions
before the shooter replays.
3.32 SPOTTING B=
ALLS
When specific game rules call for spotting balls, they shall be replace=
d on
the table on the long string after the stroke is complete. A single bal=
l is
placed on the foot spot; if more than one ball is to be spotted, they a=
re
placed on the long string in ascending numerical order, beginning on the
foot spot and advancing toward the foot rail. When balls on or near the
foot spot or long string interfere with the spotting of balls, the ball=
s to
be spotted are placed on the extension of the long string “in
front” of the foot spot (between the foot spot and the center spo=
t),
as near as possible to the foot spot and in the same numerical order as=
if
they were spotted “behind” the foot spot (lowest numbered b=
all
closest to the foot spot)..
![3D"diag_5.gif"](3D"GeneralRules_files/image002.gif")
3.33 JAWED BALL=
S
If two or more balls are locked between the jaws or sides of the pocket,
with one or more suspended in air, the referee shall inspect the balls =
in
position and follow this procedure: he shall visually (or physically if=
he
desires) project each ball directly downward from its locked position; =
any
ball that in his judgement would fall in the
pocket if so moved directly downward is a pocketed ball, while any ball
that would come to rest on the bed of the table is not pocketed. The ba=
lls
are then placed according to the referee's assessment, and play continu=
es
according to specific game rules as if no locking or jawing of balls had
occurred.
3.34 ADDITIONAL
POCKETED BALLS
If extra balls are pocketed on a legal scoring stroke, they are counted=
in
accord with the scoring rules for the particular game.
3.35 NON-PLAYER
INTERFERENCE
If the balls are moved (or a player bumped such that play is directly
affected) by a non-player during the match, the balls shall be replaced=
as
near as possible to their original positions immediately prior to the
incident, and play shall resume with no penalty on the player affected.=
If
the match is officiated, the referee shall replace the balls. This rule
also applies to “act of God” interferences, such as earthqu=
akes,
hurricanes, light fixture falling, power failures, etc. If the balls ca=
nnot
be restored to their original positions, replay the game with the origi=
nal
player breaking. This rule is not applicable to 14.1 Continuous where t=
he
game consists of successive racks: the rack in progress will be
discontinued and a completely new rack will be started with the
requirements of the normal opening break (players lag for break). Scori=
ng
of points is to be resumed at the score as it stood at the moment of ga=
me
disruption.<=
o:p>
3.36 BREAKING
SUBSEQUENT RACKS
In a match that consists of short rack games, the winner of each game
breaks in the next. The following are common options that may be design=
ated
by tournament officials in advance:
(a) Players alt=
ernate
break.
(b) Loser break=
s.
(c) Player trai=
ling
in game count breaks the next game.
3.37 PLAY BY IN=
NINGS
During the course of play, players alternate turns (innings) at the tab=
le,
with a player's inning ending when he either fails to legally pocket a
ball, or fouls. When an inning ends free of a foul, the incoming player
accepts the table in position.
3.38 OBJECT BALL
FROZEN TO CUSHION OR CUE BALL
This rule applies to any shot where the cue ball's first contact with a
ball is with one that is frozen to a cushion or to the cue ball itself.
After the cue ball makes contact with the frozen object ball, the shot =
must
result in either:
(a) A ball being
pocketed, or;
(b) The cue ball
contacting a cushion, or;
(c) The frozen =
ball
being caused to contact a cushion attached to a separate rail, or;
(d) Another obj=
ect
ball being caused to contact a cushion with which it was not already in
contact. Failure to satisfy one of those four requirements is a foul.
(Note: 14.1 and other games specify additional requirements and applica=
tions
of this rule; see specific game rules.) A ball which is touching a cush=
ion
at the start of a shot and then is forced into a cushion attached to the
same rail is not considered to have been driven to that cushion unless =
it
leaves the cushion, contacts another ball, and then contacts the cushion
again. An object ball is not considered frozen to a cushion unless it is
examined and announced as such by either the referee or one of the play=
ers
prior to that object ball being involved in a shot.
3.39 PLAYING FR=
OM
BEHIND THE STRING
When a player has the cue ball in hand behind the head string (in the
kitchen), he must drive the cue ball to a point across the head string
before it contacts either a cushion, an object ball, or returns to the
kitchen. Failure to do so is a foul if a referee is presiding over a ma=
tch.
If no referee, the opponent has the option to call it either a foul or =
to
require the offending player to replay the shot again with the balls
restored to their positions prior to the shot (and with no foul penalty
imposed). Exception: if an object ball lies on or outside the head stri=
ng
(and is thus playable) but so close that the cue ball contacts it before
the cue ball is out of the kitchen, the ball can be legally played, and
will be considered to have crossed the head string. If, with cue ball in
hand behind the headstring and while the sh=
ooter
is attempting a legitimate shot, the cue ball accidentally hits a ball
behind the head string, and the cue ball crosses the line, it is a foul=
. If
with cue ball in hand behind the head string, the shooter causes the cue
ball to hit an object ball accidentally, and the cue ball does not cross
the headstring, the following applies: the
incoming player has the option of calling a foul and having cue ball in
hand, or having the balls returned to their original position, and havi=
ng
the offending player replay the shot. If a player under the same condit=
ions
intentionally causes the cue ball to contact an object ball behind the =
headstring, it is unsportsmanlike conduct.=
3.40 CUE BALL I=
N HAND
FOUL
During cue ball in hand placement, the player may use his hand or any p=
art
of his cue (including the tip) to position the cue ball. When placing t=
he
cue ball in position, any forward stroke motion of the cue stick contac=
ting
the cue ball will be considered a foul if not a legal shot.
3.41 INTERFEREN=
CE
If the non-shooting player distracts his opponent or interferes with his
play, he has fouled. If a player shoots out of turn, or moves any ball
except during his inning, it is considered to be interference.
3.42 DEVICES
Players are not allowed to use a ball, the triangle or any other
width-measuring device to see if the cue ball or an object ball would
travel through a gap, etc. Only the cue stick may be used as an aid to
judge gaps or as an aid to aligning a shot.,=
so
long as the cue is held by the hand. To do so otherwise is a foul and
unsportsmanlike conduct. (Also see Rules 1.3, 1.4 and 2.15)
3.43 ILLEGAL MA=
RKING
If a player intentionally marks the table in any way (including the
placement of chalk) to assist in executing the shot, it is a foul.
SUPPLEMENTAL RU=
LES
The following are =
rules
that are referred to within the General Rules of Pocket Billiards above.
For the complete World Standardized Rules, please consider Billiards: T=
he
Official Rules and Records Book, published by the Billiard Congress of
America.
1.3 USE OF EQUI=
PMENT
Players may not use equipment or accessory items for purposes or in a
manner other than those for which the items were intended (refer to rul=
es
3.42 and 3.43). For example, powder containers, chalk cubes, etc., may =
not
be used to prop up a mechanical bridge (or natural hand bridge); no more
than two mechanical bridges may be used at one time, nor may they be us=
ed
to support anything other than the cue shaft. Extra or out-of-play balls
may not be used by players to check clearance or for any other reason
(except to lag for break); the triangle may be employed to ascertain
whether a ball is in the rack when a match is unof=
ficiated
and the table has not been pencil marked around the triangle area. (Also
see Rule 2.3)
1.4 EQUIPMENT
RESTRICTIONS
Players may use chalk, powder, mechanical bridge(s) and cue(s) of their
choice or design. However, tournament officials may restrict a player i=
f he
attempts action that is disruptive of either the house equipment or nor=
mal
competitive conditions. As examples, a player may: be restrained from u=
sing
red chalk on green cloth; be advised not to use powder in such an exces=
sive
fashion as to unduly affect the balls or table cloth; and be barred from
using a cue with a noise-making device that is clearly disruptive to ot=
her
competitors. (Also see Rule 2.15)
1.16.1 CUE BALL=
FOULS
ONLY
When a referee is presiding over a match, it is a foul for a player to
touch any ball (cue ball or object ball) with the cue, clothing, body,
mechanical bridge or chalk, before, during or after a shot. However, wh=
en a
referee is not presiding over a game, it is not a foul to accidentally
touch stationary balls located between the cue ball and the shooter whi=
le
in the act of shooting. If such an accident occurs, the player should a=
llow
the Tournament Director to restore the object balls to their correct
positions. If the player does not allow such a restoration, and a ball =
set
in motion as a normal part of the shot touches such an unrestored
ball, or passes partly into a region originally occupied by a disturbed
ball, the shot is a foul. In short, if the accident has any effect on t=
he
outcome of the shot, it is a foul. In any case, the Tournament Director
must be called upon to restore the positions of the disturbed balls as =
soon
as possible, but not during the shot. It is a foul to play another shot
before the Tournament Director has restored any accidentally moved ball=
s.
At the non-shooting player's option, the disturbed balls will be left in
their new positions. In this case, the balls are considered restored, and subsequent contact on them is not a =
foul.
It is still a foul to make any contact with the cue ball whatsoever whi=
le
it is in play, except for the normal tip-to-ball contact during a shot.=
2.3 REFEREE'S
RESPONSIVENESS
The referee shall be totally responsive to players' inquiries regarding
objective data, such as whether a ball will be in the rack, if a ball i=
s in
the kitchen, what the count is, how many points are needed for a victor=
y,
if a player or his opponent is on a foul, what rule would apply if a
certain shot is made, etc. When asked for a clarification of a rule, the
referee will explain the applicable rule to the best of his ability, but
any misstatement by the referee will not protect a player from enforcem=
ent
of the actual rules. The referee must not offer or provide any subjecti=
ve
opinion that would affect play, such as whether a good hit can be made =
on a
prospective shot, whether a combination can be made, or how the table s=
eems
to be playing, etc.
2.15 INAPPROPRI=
ATE
USE OF EQUIPMENT
The referee should be alert for a player usi=
ng
equipment or accessory items for purposes or in a manner other than tho=
se
for which they were intended, or for the use of illegal equipment, as
defined under “equipment specification”. Generally no penal=
ty
is applied. However, should a player persist in such activity or use of
such equipment, after having been advised that such activity or use is =
not
permissible, the referee or other tournament official may take action as
appropriate under the provisions of “Unsportsmanlike Conduct̶=
1;
(Also see Rule 1.3 and Rule 1.4)
2.20 JUDGING DO=
UBLE
HITS
When the distance between the cue ball and the object ball is less than=
the
width of a chalk cube, (See Diagram 18) special attention from the refe=
ree
is required. In such a situation, unless the referee can positively
determine a legal shot has been performed, the following guidance may
apply: if the cue ball follows through the object ball more than 1/2 ba=
ll,
it is a foul.
2.21
OUT OF HEAD STRING WARNING
When a player has the cue ball in hand behind the head string, the refe=
ree
shall warn him before he shoots if he has placed the cue ball on or wit=
hin
1/2 ball width outside of the head string. If the player then shoots fr=
om
on or within the specified distance outside the head string, the stroke=
is
a foul. If the shooter places the cue ball outside of the head string
beyond the specified limit, no warning is required and the stroke is a =
foul
(See specific game rule for penalty. Also refer to Rule 3.39)
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