4.4
ORDER OF BREAK
Winner of the lag has the option to break. The winner of each game breaks in the next. The
following are common options that may be designated by tournament officials in advance:
(a) Players
alternate break.
(b) Loser breaks.
(c) Player trailing
in game count breaks the next game.
4.5 LEGAL BREAK SHOT
(Defined) 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.
4.6 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.
4.7 OBJECT
BALLS JUMPED OFF 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.
4.8 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.
4.9 OPEN TABLE
(Defined) 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 favor 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.
4.10 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.
4.11 LEGAL SHOT
(Defined) 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.
4.12 “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.
4.13 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 group of balls, he shoots to pocket
the 8-ball.
4.14
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.
(Also see Rule 3.39.)
4.15 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.
4.16 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 favor of the shooter controlling that specific group of
balls, solids or stripes.
4.17 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.
4.18 JUMP AND MASSÉ
SHOT FOUL
While “cue ball fouls only” is the rule of play when a match is not presided
over by a referee, a player should be aware that it will be considered a cue ball foul if
during an attempt to jump, curve or massé the cue ball over or around an impeding
numbered ball that is not a legal object ball, the impeding ball moves (regardless of
whether it was moved by a hand, cue stick follow-through or bridge).
4.19 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.
4.20 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.
Note: All infractions must be called before another shot is taken, or else it will be deemed that no infraction
occurred.
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 regard-less of the number of balls on the table. Please Note: Three consecutive fouls by one
player in 8-ball is not a loss of game.
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