Ligue de billard classe B Gatineau Est

BILLARD RULES
EIGHT BALL GAME (2009 EDITION)

*** NEW RULES OR MODIFICATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.	Object of the game
2.	Call shot	12.	Safety shot
3.	Racking the balls	13.	Scoring
4.	Alternative break	14.	Foul penalty
5.	Legal break	15.	Combinations shots
6.	Scratch on a legal break	16.	Illegally pocketed balls
7.	Object balls jumped off the table on the break	17.	Object balls jumped off the table
8.	8-Ball pocketed on the break	18.	Playing the 8-ball
9.	Open Table	19.	Loss of game
10.	Choice of group	20.	Stalemated game
11.	Legal shot	21.	Other

The following rules are based on the official sanctioned rules by the Fédération de Billard du Québec Inc. (Édition 1998) except for some modifications adapted for our league. 

When there is a modification to the official rule, that part of the rule will be followed immediately by the ***, than replaced by our rule.

1. Object of the game   

Eight-Ball is a call shot game played with a cue ball and 15 object balls, numbered 1 through 15. One player must pocket balls of the group numbered 1 through 7 (solid colorscolourile the other player has 9 through 15 (stripes). The player pocketing either group first, and then legally pocketing the 8-ball wins the game.

2. Call shot   

In Call Shot, obvious balls and pockets do not have to be indicated. It is the opponent’s right to ask which ball and pocket if he is unsure of the shot. Bank shots and combination shots are not considered obvious, and care should be taken in calling both the object ball and the intended pocket.

When calling the shot, it is never necessary to indicate details such as the number of cushions, banks, kisses, caroms, etc. Any balls pocketed on a foul remain pocketed, regardless of whether they belong to the shooter or the opponent.

The opening break is not a “called shot.” Any player performing a break shot in 8-Ball may continue to shoot so long as any object ball is legally pocketed on the break.

3. Racking the balls   

The balls are racked in a triangle at the foot of the table with the 8-ball in the center of the rack, the first ball of the rack on the foot spot, a stripe ball in one corner of the rack and a solid ball in the other corner.

4. Alternative break   

First eight games, the house breaks. The last eight games, the visitors break.

*** The player who has the break racks the balls. Insure the first ball in the rack touches the spot.

5. Legal break   

To execute a legal break, the breaker (with the cue ball behind the head string) must either (1) pocket a ball, or (2) drive at least four numbered balls to the rail.

When the breaker fails to make a legal break, it is a foul, and the incoming player has the option of (1) accepting the table in position and shooting, or (2) having the balls re-racked and having the option of shooting the opening break or allowing the offending player to re-break.

6. Scratch on a legal break  

If a player scratches on a legal break shot, (1) all balls pocketed remain pocketed (exception, the 8-ball: see rule 4.8), (2) it is a foul, (3) the table is open. Please Note: The incoming player has cue ball in hand behind the head string and may not shoot an object ball that is behind the head string, unless he first shoots the cue ball past the head string and causes the cue ball to come back behind the head string and hit the object ball.

7. Object balls jumped off the table on the break  

If a player jumps an object ball off the table on the break shot, it is a foul and the incoming player has the option of (1) accepting the table in position and shooting, or (2) taking cue ball in hand behind the head string and shooting.

8. 8-Ball pocketed on the break   

If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break, breaker may ask for a re-rack or have the 8-ball spotted and continue shooting. If the breaker scratches while pocketing the 8-ball on the break, the incoming player has the option of a re-rack or having the 8-ball spotted and begin shooting with ball in hand behind the head string.

9. Open Table  

The table is "open" when the choice of groups (stripes or solids) has not yet been determined. When the table is open, it is legal to hit a solid first to make a stripe or vice-versa. Note: The table is always open immediately after the break shot. When the table is open, it is legal to hit any solid or stripe first in the process of pocketing the called stripe or solid. However, when the table is open and the 8-ball is the first ball contacted, it is a foul and no stripe or solid may be scored in favour of the shooter. The shooter loses his turn; the incoming player is awarded cue ball in hand; any balls pocketed remain pocketed; and the incoming player addresses the balls with the table still open.

On an open table, all illegally pocketed balls remain pocketed.

10. Choice of group   

The choice of stripes or solids is not determined on the break even if balls are made from only one or both groups, because the table is always open immediately after the break shot. The choice of group is determined only when a player legally pockets a called object ball after the break shot.

If the groups have been determined and the player mistakenly shoots at and pockets a ball of the group, the opponent must call a foul on him before he takes his next shot. If he fails to do so, the player automatically takes over the group of balls (solids or stripes) at which he has been shooting during this inning.

11. Legal shot  

On all shots (except on the break and when the table is open), the shooter must hit one of his group of balls first and (1) pocket a numbered ball, or (2) cause the cue ball or any numbered ball to contact a rail.

Please Note: It is permissible for the shooter to bank the cue ball off a rail before contacting the object ball; however, after contact with the object ball, an object ball must be pocketed, or the cue ball or any numbered ball must contact a rail. Failure to meet these requirements is a foul.

12. Safety shot  

For tactical reasons, a player may choose to pocket an obvious object ball and also discontinue a turn at the table by declaring “safety” in advance. A safety shot is defined as a legal shot. If the shooting player intends to play safe by pocketing an obvious object ball, then prior to the shot, the shooter must declare a “safety” to the opponent. It is the shooter’s responsibility to make the opponent aware of the intended safety shot. If this is not done, and one of the shooter’s object balls is pocketed, the shooter will be required to shoot again. Any ball pocketed on a safety shot remains pocketed.

13. Scoring  

A player is entitled to continue shooting until failing to legally pocket a ball of his group. After a player has legally pocketed all of his entire group of balls, he shoots to pocket the 8-ball.

14. Foul penalty  

Opposing player gets cue ball in hand. This means that the player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table (does not have to be behind the headstring except on opening break). This rule prevents a player from making intentional fouls, which would put an opponent at a disadvantage. With “cue ball in hand,” the player may use a hand or any part of a cue (including the tip) to position the cue ball. When placing the cue ball in position, any forward stroke motion contacting the cue ball will be a foul, if not a legal shot.

15. Combination Shots   

Combination shots are allowed; however, the 8-ball can’t be used as a first ball in the combination unless it is the shooter’s only remaining legal object ball on the table. Otherwise, should such contact occur on the 8-ball, it is a foul.

16. Illegally pocketed balls  

An object ball is considered to be illegally pocketed when (1) that object ball is pocketed on the same shot a foul is committed, or (2) the called ball did not go in the designated pocket, or (3) a safety is called prior to the shot. Illegally pocketed balls remain pocketed and are scored in favour of the shooter controlling that specific group of balls, solids or stripes.

*** The «jump shot» is not allowed.

17. Object balls jumped off the table  

If any object ball is jumped off the table, it is a foul and loss of turn, unless it is the 8-ball, which is a loss of game. Any jumped object balls are not re-spotted.

18. Playing the 8-ball  

When the 8-ball is the legal object ball, a scratch or foul is not loss of game if the 8-ball is not pocketed or jumped from the table. Incoming player has cue ball in hand. Note: A combination shot can never be used to legally pocket the 8-ball, except when the 8-ball is the first ball contacted in the shot sequence.

NOTE: On ne peut jamais empocher la HUIT par une combinaison.

19. Loss of game  

A player loses the game by committing any of the following infractions:

1. Fouls when pocketing the 8-ball (exception: see 8-Ball Pocketed On The Break).

2. Pockets the 8-ball on the same stroke as the last of his group of balls.

3. Jumps the 8-ball off the table at any time.

4. Pockets the 8-ball in a pocket other than the one designated.

5. Pockets the 8-ball when it is not the legal object ball.

6. Due to a frustration move, the player changes the positions of the balls on the table...

NOTE: All infractions must be called before another shot is taken, or else it will be deemed that no infraction occurred.

20. Stalemated game  

If, after 3 consecutive turns at the table by each player (6 turns total), the referee judges that attempting to pocket or move an object ball will result in loss of game, the balls will be re-racked with the original breaker of the stalemated game breaking again. The stalemate rule may be applied regardless of the number of balls on the table.

NOTE: Three consecutive fouls by one player in 8-ball is not a loss of game.

21. Other   

21.1  Number of players per team

Each team has a maximum allowed of 15 players only on their team during the season.

A player who belongs to a team and played already, now has the right to go play with another team at any time of the year. BUT:

a) The player must go to play with a team weaker than that which he leaves. AND

b) The player loses all his points (his average) and must start again with his 3 years average as at the beginning of the year. The teams in question are not affected.

EXAMPLE:

Ø a player moves too far to come play.
Ø a player has been classifying AAA and must leave the league.
Ø the death, amputation or serious illness of a player.

The team which loses a player has the right to replace it by any range of player (A or B) while respecting our rules and in which the number of players always adds up 15 players.

 21.2 Authorized players

 Each team is not allowed to have more than 4 players considered ‘A’ (average of 600 and +) per night.

The faulted team will be revoked of their points won that night and the adversary team will get them.

A player who is AAA in the ABO, even if he has been playing in our league for a long time, is not allowed to play in our league. As soon as a player is acquired this rank, he will be nicely expelled from our league. (Minutes of dec. 5th, 06)

 21.3 Players' average

The players' average will be determined by the 3 last played years. For a first year, the average will be established after 25% os the current year, therefore, 1/4 of the year. This rule applies ONLY for the NEW PLAYER not having any established average in our league. The new player will also have to have an average established to be eligible for the play-offs.

A player that already has an average in the ABO (Association du Billard de l'Outaouais) will automatically be classified and that average will be the average taken by our league. A player may be classified higher in our league than the ABO, BUT, will NEVER be lower in our league than in the ABO.

An old player must play at least 4 weeks (16 games) in the regular season to be eligible for the play-offs. A player must most not miss more than 4 weeks (16 games) to be eligible for the two best averages of the year.

21.4 Late players

Players that are late MUST play at home, this to prevent a great number of players missing at the same place.  The latecomer will have until the 13^th game to arrive and play his games.

The players being late and being a visitor will loose any games, which his presence is required.

 21.5 Visits to the table

Players will be allowed only one (1) visit to the players' table per game.  If a player discusses a shot at the billiard table, this will be considered has a visit. In this event, a player must be called to the players' table instead, in respect for that player.

After 1 visit, It is the adversary teams' responsibility (captain or player concerned) to tell the other player his visit have been taken. If this player returns to the players' table for a 2^nd time, it will be considered has a foul and the player will loose his turn. Ball in hand for the other team.

The executive committee asks to please be indulgent of those NEW players that have no knowledge of the game or the rules.  That same new player may, with the adversary captains' permission, to visit the players' table more than once. We also ask that all this be done with respect and without exagerating.

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