| Turton and Edgworth Pool League
General Rules
Updated Winter 2009
1. Requirements of “the game”
(a) The game is played on a rectangular six-pocketed table with
fifteen balls numbered 1-15 and a cue ball. The balls are in two
numerical groups, 1-7 which are plain-coloured balls, and 9-15
which are striped balls, or the groups 1-7 and 9-15 may be represented
by two different colours. These groups are known as the object
balls
2. Object of “the game”
(a) The player(s) pocketing their object balls first and legally
pocketing the (8) black ball win(s) the game.
(b) One point will be awarded to the side winning each frame.
In League matches a further two points will be awarded to the
side winning the match. (If a team fails to turn up, the appearing
team may claim the game with that teams average score being awarded
at the end of the season).
3. Commencement of the “game”
(a) The balls are racked so that the three corner balls are the
same colour (group) with the (8) black ball in the centre of the
third row.
(b) The front ball in the triangle will be placed in a diagonal
line with the middle and bottom pockets.
(c) The opening player plays the cue ball at the triangle of object
balls with the cue ball in any position in the ‘D’.
(d) The opening player must pocket a ball or drive at least two
object balls to hit a cushion. Failure to do so can result in
his opponent accepting the balls as they lie or demanding that
the balls be re-racked and the break shot repeated by the same
player.
(e) On the first occasion a player legally pockets an object ball
then that ball denotes his group, unless he pockets a plain and
a striped ball when he will verbally nominate his choice and continue
to play. The nominated ball need not be potted, c.f. Rule 3 (h).
(f) If no object ball is pocketed from a legal break then the
players continue alternately until such time an object ball or
balls are pocketed.
(g) If the black ball is pocketed from the break the game is to
be re racked. This applies even if any other balls are pocketed.
(h) If a ball or balls are legally pocketed this entitles the
player one additional shot and this continues until the player
either
(i) fails to pocket one of his set or object balls or
(ii) commits a foul at any time.
(I) Combination shots are allowed providing the player hits one
of his own allocated balls first.
4. Fouls
(a) In-off (cue ball pocketed).
(b) Hitting opponent’s balls before his own ball or balls,
except when Rule 11 applies.
(c) Failing to hit any ball.
(d) Jump shot - defined as when the cue ball jumps over any part
of any ball before making contact with any object ball.
(e) If a player hits the 8 ball (black) with the cue ball on the
first impact before all his own balls have been potted, except
when Rule 12 applies.
(f) Potting an opponent’s ball, except when Rule 12 applies.
(g) Ball off the table: -
(i) If the 8 ball (black) – loss of frame.
(ii) If coloured ball, ball to be put in pocket.
(ii) If cue ball, the ball to be played from any position within
the D.
A ball shall be deemed to be “off the table” if it
comes to rest other than on the bed of the table.
(h) Player not having at least one foot on the floor.
(i) Playing with any ball other than the cue ball.
(j) Playing out of turn.
(k) Playing before balls have come to rest.
(l) Playing before ball or balls have been re-spotted.
(m) Interfering with the movement of a ball with either body,
clothing or cue.
(n) Striking the cue ball with the cue more than once.
(o) Failure to nominate when Rule 12 (b) applies.
In the event of a foul being committed the opposing player then
has the option of taking the cue ball in hand and re-commencing
play as per rule 8 or to play from where the cue ball comes to
rest. The player must ask the referee to move the cue ball.
5. The deliberate foul
(a) It is intended that players and teams should play Pool in
the true spirit of the game and in a sportsmanlike manner. These
rules have been prepared on the basic premise that no player or
team shall gain an advantage by playing a deliberate foul shot.
If, therefore, in the opinion of the referee, a deliberate foul
shot is played, then the referee may award the offended player
or team the following options: -
(I) either to accept the position after the foul shot has been
played, or
(ii) to re-rack the game.
(b) Where a deliberate foul shot is played the player or team
will be cautioned by the referee that to play in such a manner
is a breach of this rule and if the player or team continues to
play in such a manner the referee shall award the frame to the
opponent.
6. Loss of game
(a) If a player pockets the (8) black ball before he pockets all
the balls in his numerical (colours) group, he loses the game.
(b) A player going in-off the black ball when the black ball is
legally potted loses the game.
(c) The black ball must be potted on a separate stroke. If a player
pockets both his final object ball and the black ball with the
same stroke, he loses the game.
(d) If a player picks out any ball from the pocket, not allowing
the ball to fall through the mechanism, he loses the game. This
includes any deliberate attempt to stop any ball going into the
pocket. (Should the ball stick in the pocket it is up to the referee
to remove it).
7. Push stroke
A push stroke is not allowed. A player must play away from a touching
ball so nominated by the referee. If the touching ball is of the
players group then he is deemed to have played the ball. No penalty
will be incurred if the touching ball is of the opponents colour
group.
8. Cue ball in hand
When a player has the cue ball in hand he may play from any position
within the ‘D’ and in any direction.
9. Player in control
A player is said to be in control of the game from the time that
he addresses the table prior to his shot, through his visit and
up until the time his opponent does likewise. Any balls which
fall into the pockets during this period (including the black
ball) he is said to have potted and is liable to any penalties
or benefits normally awarded to him for the potting of that ball/balls
as are accorded to him in the rules of the game.
A player is deemed to have addressed the table when he touches
the tabletop. None players are not allowed to touch the tabletop
when they are not in play. Contact with the tabletop by none players
will result in a foul been called under rule 4(j)
10. Stalemate
In the event of a situation where it is physically impossible
for a player to play a legal shot, the game shall be re-racked.
11. Free table rule
(a) After any foul is committed the offended player may play and
pot any ball he wishes (all object balls are deemed to be neutral)
without fouling with his first shot, the exception being that
he can play but not pot the black.
(b) If a player goes in-off from the break having potted an object
ball, the opponent has a free table on his first shot. On playing
the second ball he must verbally nominate his choice of object
balls, otherwise a foul is committed.
(c) If a player goes in-off from the break, but does not pot an
object ball, his opponent has a free table but does not have to
nominate on his second shot (Open Table), unless on potting a
ball on his first shot (Free Table), on his next shot the player
will nominate his choice but does not have to pot the ball.
Notes on the game
“Re-racked” All fifteen balls placed in the triangle
and white in the ‘D’ (as Rule 3 (a)).
“Shot” Striking the cue ball once.
“Visit” Refers to one turn at the table comprising
one or a series of shots.
“Break” Refers to the first shot of the game or the
first shot of a game being re-racked.
“Open Table” When no object balls have been legally
potted.
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