Pool Rules - 8 Ball UK Pool Rules from pooltablesonline

Pool Rules - Official rules of play for English 8 Ball Pool by Rileys

Pool Rules - There are so many different types of pool rules and variations of the game that it can get very confusing as to which rules you should be playing. Most pool leagues will use the standard 8 ball UK pool rules.

Below are the official 8 Ball pool rules from BAPTO (British Association of Pool Table Operators). BAPTO are a leading organisation in cue sports and this is at the time of writing an up to date set of rules. Stop all arguments by following the standard 8 ball pool rules. BAPTO Pool Rules.

Pool - Rules of The Game

Pool Rules - The game is played on a rectangular 6-pocket table with 15 balls (7 yellows, 7 reds and a black 8 ball.)

To win, a player must pocket all their group of object balls in any order, and then legally pocket the 8 ball.

To determine who has the right to break, both players will lag to determine who gets that advantage. (To lag, both players simultaneously play a ball up the table from anywhere behind the baulk line, with the intention of stopping it as close to the baulk cushion as possible. The person whose ball is deemed closest to the baulk cushion chooses if they wish to break or not.)

The game begins by the first player breaking into the rack of balls. To be deemed a legal break, 4 balls have to hit a cushion. The break will also be deemed a "fair break" if at least one colour is potted.

Following the break shot, regardless of whether a player has potted a ball or not, the person breaking will nominate their choice of balls. If the player breaking pots a combination of balls, for instance a red and a yellow, they can simply nominate which ball set they wish to play. Further, if one red is potted, they can if they so choose, nominate yellows without having to pot.

If a player fouls from the break, the right to nominate will be lost. This advantage will then pass to the opponent, who will receive two shots, the first of which will be a free table (NB: Note two ‘shots’ and not two “visits”. This is the only time in the frame where two shots do not carry following a foul.) With the first shot, the player can then play or pot whichever ball they wish (the exception being that one cannot pot the black) following which they then nominate their preferred set.

If one fouls on the break by not driving four balls onto cushions, the oncoming player has the choice to play the balls as they lay or to have them re-racked. If they take the latter option, they themselves must perform a legal break, following which they will then nominate their preferred set.

The game is completed when the 8 ball (black) is pocketed legally in any pocket, and all the remaining balls have come to rest. If the black is potted off the break, one re-racks the balls without penalty.

A game is deemed to be lost under the following circumstances.

If a player pockets the 8 ball (black) before all the balls in their own group, except on the break.

A player going in off the 8 ball (black) when the 8 ball (black) is pocketed.

A player pocketing the 8 ball (black) and any other ball on the same shot. Except following a foul when only the 8 ball (black) and ball(s) of the opponents group are on the table, then with the first shot of the first visit, the player may legally pocket the 8 ball (black) as well as ball(s) of the opponent's group by any combination and in any order.

A player who clearly fails to make any attempt to play a ball of their own group will lose the game.

A foul is deemed to have occured in the following circumstances.

•  If on any visit a player fails to pot a legal ball, either the cueball or an object ball does not touch a cushion. The only exception to the above rule is when a player is totally snookered on all of their balls; a total snooker being defined as the player not being able to see any part of their chosen ball set. In these circumstances, the need to make a ball contact the cushion after impact is not required, but the player must confirm to their opponent that they are indeed totally snookered before playing the shot. •  The cue ball is pocketed. •  Hitting an opponents ball(s) with the cue ball, except with the first shot following any foul. •  Failing to hit any ball. •  Jump shot - defined as when the cue ball is intentionally jumped over any part of any ball before making contact. • Hitting the 8 ball (black) with the cue ball before making contact with any of ones own balls (except with the first shot following any foul.) •  Potting any opponent's ball, except with the first shot following any foul. •  Ball off the table. A ball shall be deemed "off the table" if it comes to rest anywhere other than on the bed of the table. Any object ball or the 8 ball (black), shall be returned to the 8 ball spot, or as near as possible to that spot without touching any other ball, in direct line between that spot and the centre of the string line. If the cue ball leaves the table. In this instance, the oncoming player can place the white anywhere behind the baulk line and can play the white in any direction of their choosing. •  Player not having at least part of one foot on the floor. •  Playing or touching with the cue any ball other than the cue ball. •  Striking the cue ball with any part of the cue other than the tip. •  Playing out of turn. •  Playing before all balls have come to rest. •  Playing before any ball(s) require re-spotting. •  Striking the cue ball with the cue more than once. •  Push shot - defined as where the cue tip remains in contact with the cue ball for more than the momentary time commensurate with a normal stroked shot, or the cue tip remains in contact with the cue ball once it has commenced it's forward motion. •  Failing to nominate when balls of both groups are pocketed with the first legal pot. •  Foul break, failing to pot an object ball or drive at least four object balls to hit any cushions. •  Making contact with any ball with any part of your clothing or body. •  Following any foul the offending player automatically loses their visit to the table and, break apart, will give their opponent two consecutive visits to the table.

Penalty following any foul

If the cue ball comes to rest on the playing surface (as opposed to being potted) then the player in receipt of two visits may play from where the cue ball lies, or if preferred can play from any position not in front of, but either on or behind the baulk line. Moving the ball in this manner does not count as a shot.

If any other balls are touched by hand or clothing or move whilst picking the cue ball up, this will constitute a foul and the players turn will be automatically lost and their opponent shall then receive the advantage of two visits.

On the first shot of the first visit only, the oncoming player may without nominating, play the cue ball on to any ball including their opponents or the 8 ball without penalty. Please note though, players must not pot the 8 ball,  that would result in the loss of that frame unless the player is actually on the black and in which case the frame would be won. If any balls are potted on this first visit, directly or by use of combination the player will judged to have potted a legal ball(s) and will continue with their first visit. When a player fails to pot a ball on the first or any subsequent shot of their first visit, play continues with the second visit.

Stalemate of frame

Either by design or accident any situation arise whereby playing a legal shot becomes impossible, then the balls should be reset and the frame started again by the same player who originally broke.

If in the opinion of the referee a game is showing signs of progression then the frame should be restarted by the player who originally broke.

Player in control of the table

A player is said to be in control of the table from the time their body, cue or clothing touches the table prior to their shot, throughout their visit and up until their opponent does likewise before their next visit.

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