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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