What are the rules and guidelines (8 Ball Pool)
1.0- Object of the game of 8-ball
Eight-ball is a pocket billiard game played with 15 object balls and a cue ball. To win a game of 8-ball, a player must legally pocket the eight ball after which time his group of balls, either solids or stripes, is completely pocketed.
2.0- Winner of the Break
Player to break in first match is chosen randomly, then the player to break is chosen in a turn based manner. (not totally sure on this one yet).
3.0- Racking the Balls
The 15 balls are racked in a triangle shape with the foremost ball being any ball except the eight. The order of the balls should be random with the exception of the eight ball which is placed in the middle of the third row, and the two back corner balls which are a stripe and a solid respectively.
4.0- The Break
ANY break is considered legal as long as the object balls are touched. If none of the object balls are touched, the opponent has ball in hand and then can break from any position on the table.
4.1- 8-ball in on break - If the 8 ball is pocketed on the break shot it is NOT a win of game. The 8 ball is automatically reset to it's original position. If the 8 ball is pocketed on the break and the cue ball scratches the opponent has ball in hand.
4.2- Open table after break - Regardless of how many solids or striped balls are made on the break, the table is open after the break. In an open table situation, any ball but the 8 ball can be hit first in any combination shot. Once solids or stripes are determined for a player, only their respective balls (solids or stripes) can be struck first in a combination shot. The 8 ball can be used in any combination shot, just not struck first.
4.3- Foul on break - If a player Fouls on the break, the opponent has ball in hand.
4.4- Break Box - The cue ball can be placed anywhere behind the C-line.
5.0- Call Shot
There is NO shot calling.
6.0- Legal Shot
A legal shot after the break occurs when:
a. The shooter's cue ball touches any numbered ball on the table, on an open table, with the exception of the eight ball, and drives either it or any other ball after contact, or the cue ball to a rail.
b. The shooter's cue ball touches a numbered ball that corresponds with the shooters ball group (solids or stripes), once determined, before hitting any other ball, and driving any ball or the cue ball to a rail thereafter, or pocketing any ball except the eight ball (unless player is on the eight ball).
c. If an object ball is frozen to a rail and is the intended ball on which to make a legal hit, the cue ball must either strike a rail after making contact with the frozen ball, or the frozen ball must contact a different rail.
Any failure to perform a legal shot is a foul and cue ball in hand is awarded to the incoming player.
7.0- Playing
A player continues to play until he fails to pocket a ball that corresponds to his ball group (or any numbered ball but the eight on an open table) or the eight ball once his ball group has been completely pocketed, or until a foul has been committed.
8.0- End of Inning
If a player fails to pocket a ball on a legal shot, that player's inning ends and the opponent takes the table where the balls lie. If it is a foul that ends the player's inning, the incoming player is awarded cue ball in hand.
9.0- Fouls
All fouls result in the opponent of the player who committed the foul being awarded cue ball in hand. The following are fouls:
a. All ball fouls- if a player touches any ball in any way other than a legal stroke.(see section 6)
b. Pots Cue ball.
c. A player fails to shoot before the timer runs out.
d. A player shoots and fails to hit any balls.
10.0- Winning a Game
A player wins a game by legally pocketing the eight ball after which time all the balls of his corresponding ball group have been pocketed.
11.0- Losing a Game
A player loses a game by committing any foul on a shot that results in the eight ball being pocketed (see section 12 for guidelines on playing the eight ball) or pocketing the eight ball prematurely.
12.0- Playing the Eight Ball
When playing the eight ball:
a. The eight ball must always be the first ball contacted by the cue ball, and it or any other ball including the cue ball must contact a rail after the initial hit. Failure to do this is a foul and the opponent is awarded cue ball in hand; it is not a loss of game.
b. Combinations, caroms, kisses, are all legal as long as the eight ball is the first ball contacted by the cue ball.
c. If a player pots the cue ball while playing the eight ball, it is NOT a loss of game unless the eight ball goes in first. Not making a legal hit on the eight ball is a Ball in Hand foul- not an automatic loss of game.