Rules

Breaks: All matches use alternate breaks, and the initial break is decided by a coin toss. Players will rack their own breaks.

Fouls: A foul is committed for the following reasons:

* Cue ball fouls ONLY. If you touch another ball on the table by accident with either your clothing or the cue, for example, it is not a foul. It is only a foul if the player fouls on the cue ball. This includes:

1. Touching the cue ball with clothing or the edge of the cue

2. Pocketing the cue ball, or hitting it off the table

* Other fouls include hitting an object ball off the table.

* No ball (either object balls or the cue ball) hit a rail AFTER the cue ball has made contact with the object ball.

Any object ball that has been moved unintentionally should either be moved back into it’s original position, or left where it is lying, depending on the choice of the opponent, not the shooter. If an object ball is moved back into its original position against the will of the opponent, or without telling the opponent, it is considered a foul.

All fouls give the opponent ball in hand, anywhere on the table. The only exception to this is in 8-ball, when a foul ON THE BREAK gives the opponent ball in hand behind the line.

All players must have at least one foot touching the floor on every shot.

Jump shots can only be played by hitting down on the ball, and not “scooping the ball” up from underneath.

Only take shots when every ball has come to a complete rest, including spinning balls.

A double hit––when the cue ball is hit twice by the cue––is a foul.

3 foul rule. Three consecutive fouls in either 8- or 9-ball is an instant loss of game. However, the other player must remind you that you have already committed two fouls before you take the third shot.

Tiebreakers: In the event of a tied game, a sudden death tiebreaker game of 8-ball is played. All handicaps/spotted balls apply to the tiebreaker game.

COURTESY. BE RESPECTFUL OF YOUR FELLOW PLAYERS! No cell phones, loud talking or excessive movement when an opponent is taking a shot. No smoke breaks in the middle of matches unless both players agree. If I receive regular complaints about any player they will be kicked out of the league without compensation.

8-Ball Rules

In 8-ball, you must call your shots, unless it is completely obvious what you are doing. You ONLY have to call ball and pocket. This means if you call a ball to go into a particular pocket, it doesn’t matter how it gets there. YOU MUST CALL ALL 8-BALL SHOTS.

Breaks: A scratch on the break gives the opponent ball in hand BEHIND THE LINE. When a player has ball in hand behind the line they must shoot forward, as in down the table, but may shoot at other balls behind the line. If the 8-ball goes on the break it is spotted. If the 8 ball AND the white ball go in on a break, the 8-ball is still spotted and the opposing player has ball in hand behind the line.

Open Table: THE TABLE IS STILL OPEN ON THE SHOT AFTER THE BREAK, regardless of what happens on the break. The table is no longer open when a player makes a called shot. This shot must be legal (not a foul) or the table is still open.

Pocketing balls: You have to hit your own ball first. A player will stay at the table shooting as long as one of the balls they pocketed was called into the pocket it dropped. All balls, whether they fly off the table, or go into a pocket, stay in the pocket, apart from the rule about the 8-ball on the break. (See above).

Fouls: All rules stated before count as a foul. Fouling on the 8-ball, if it goes into a pocket, is considered a loss of game, apart from on the break (see above). This includes pocketing the 8-ball into the wrong pocket.

Combination shots: As long as you call the ball that goes in (if it is your ball) you stay at the table. You can pocket your opponents ball without fouling, as long as you hit your own ball first.

9-Ball Rules

You do not have to call any shots. If any ball goes in on a legal shot the player stays at the table. If the 9-ball is pocketed on a legal shot, it is a win.

Breaks: The rack must have the 1-ball at the front, and the 9-ball in the middle. It does not matter where the other balls are placed in the rack. The break shot must hit the 1-ball first. Any ball that goes in on the break means the shooter stays at the table. If the 9-ball goes in and the white scratches, the 9-ball is spotted.

Push Shots: After every break in 9-ball the person taking the next shot, regardless of what happened on the break, has the opportunity to call a push shot. This could be the person who broke (if they made a ball on the break) or his/her opponent (if no ball is potted on the break).

On a push shot the cue ball does not need to hit another ball, or a rail. It can hit any ball on the table first. It can even pot the 9-ball directly. All other fouls apply. If the 9-ball is pocketed on a push shot it is spotted. The opponent comes to the table after a push shot, regardless of what happens, and has the choice of either playing the shot, or making the previous player take the shot.

Pocketing balls: Hit the lowest ball on the table. After that, if any ball is pocketed you remain at the table. All balls stay in the pocket, apart from the 9-ball. If the 9-ball is pocketed on an illegal shot it is spotted.