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2009 Short List Rules Download
A. The Spirit of the Game B. Equipment A "Cue Ball" - being a white ball. Fifteen "Object balls" - consisting of:- "Colours" - being a group of seven red balls (or balls numbered 1-7) and a group of seven yellow balls (or balls numbered 9-15). The "Eight-Ball" - being a black ball marked with a number "8". A six pocket rectangular Pool Table with general characteristics as follows: The cloth will be marked with a "Spot" at the position where a straight line drawn diagonally from the centre of a side pocket to the centre of a corner pocket would intersect with a straight line drawn from the centre of the opposite side pocket to the centre of the other corner pocket. The cloth will be marked with a "Baulk Line" being a straight line drawn from cushion to cushion, parallel to, and one fifth of the length of the table from, the face of the cushion that lies the greatest distance from the spot. C. Definitions Play: To "Play" and Object Ball is to play a shot that results in the Cue Ball's first contact with another ball to be with that Object Ball. To "Play" the cue ball is to strike it with the tip of the cue. Ball On: At any time during a frame, a ball "On" is any Object Ball that the player may play without incurring a penalty. Pot: A ball is "Potted" when it leaves the bed of the table, enters a pocket and remains in that pocket. Visit: A "Visit" comprises one shot or a series of shots. Each visit lasts until the player fails to pot a ball "On". (Or until a foul is committed or the frame ends). Turn: A players "Turn" at the table comprises one visit or, after most fouls committed by the opponent, two visits. Frame: A "Frame" is one game of Eight-Ball Pool between two players or two pairs of players. A frame is played from the opening break and usually through until the Eight-Ball is potted. (Note: there are other ways that a frame may end - see "Loss of Frame"). Match: A "Match" is a predetermined number of frames of Eight-Ball Pool between two players, two pairs of players or two teams of players. Player in Control: A player (and the player's partner in doubles) is deemed to be "In Control" of the frame from the time that the balls stop moving from the final shot of an opponent's turn until the balls stop moving from the final shot of the player's turn. There can be no instance, once a frame has commenced, that someone is not in control. D. Object of the Game When "On" a group of colours, potting more than one ball of that Colour in the same shot is allowed. But a separate shot must be played to pot the Eight-Ball and win the game. E. Playing from Baulk When playing from Baulk:- The centre point of the Cue Ball must be in Baulk when a shot is played. If the centre of the Cue Ball is directly on the Baulk Line it is not deemed to be in Baulk. The Cue Ball can be moved into position by hand or with the shaft of the cue, but when touched by the tip of the cue, a shot is deemed to have been played. The Cue Ball may be played in any direction. After an "In Off" the referee will recover the Cue Ball and hand it to the incoming player or place it on top of, and in the centre of, the cushion at the Baulk end of the table for the player to retrieve by hand. If a player wishes to play from Baulk after a "Foul Snooker", "Foul Jaw Snooker", or "Time Foul" the player must verbally advise the referee of this choice and the referee will then recover the Cue Ball and hand it to the player or place it on top of, and in the centre of, the cushion at the Baulk end of the table for the player to retrieve by hand. If the player touches or recovers the Cue Ball it is a Standard Foul. {see(K) Standard Fouls (21)}. After an "In Off","Foul Snooker","Foul Jaw Snooker", or "Time Foul" the player must endeavour to position the Cue Ball so as not to create a Foul Snooker. If the player claims a Foul Snooker from Baulk, the referee may choose to move the Cue Ball around to determine if there is any position in Baulk where the player would not be Foul Snookered. Whether such a position is found or not, the referee will announce the result and hand the Cue Ball back to the player or place it on top of, and in the centre of, the cushion at the Baulk end of the table for the player to retrieve by hand. F. The Break In the absence of any competition / tournament rules to the contrary, a coin will be tossed to determine which player will break. If a series of frames is to be played (A Match), the break of each subsequent frame will alternate. The first shot of a frame is called the "Break". To "Break". the Cue Ball is played at the triangle of Object Balls from Baulk. The frame is deemed to have commenced the instant that the Cue Ball is played. The Break will be deemed a "Fair Break" if:- At least one Colour is potted. Four Object Balls (at least) are driven to a cushion. If the Break is not a Fair Break it is a Non-Standard Foul and:- The opponent is awarded two visits. The balls are re-racked. The opponent re-starts the game and is under the same obligation to achieve a Fair Break. If the Cue Ball is potted on a Fair Break it is a Non-Standard Foul that is penalised by the turn passing to the opponent. If the break is not a Fair Break and the Cue Ball is potted, the penalty for failure to perform a Fair Break applies. (see (b) above). If the Eight-Ball is potted on any break, the balls are re-racked and the same player will break again. When the Eight-Ball is potted on the break, all other aspects of the shot are ignored. (Except if a Serious Foul or breech of the "Spirit of the Game" occurs). G. Legal Shot Cause the Cue Ball's initial contact with a ball to be with a ball "On", Pot a ball "On" OR Cause the Cue Ball or any Object Ball to contact a cushion. Failure to play a Legal Shot is a Standard Foul. Exceptions: On the Break, the conditions of a Legal Shot do not apply. (see (F) The Break) When playing out of a Total Snooker a player is only obliged to meet the conditions of (1)(a) above. (see (Q) Total Snookers). Interpretations: If the Cue Ball's initial contact is with an Object Ball that is touching a cushion, simply forcing that Object Ball into the same cushion does not constitute a Legal Shot. If the Cue Ball and the Object Ball are touching the same cushion, simply forcing the Cue Ball and / or that Object Ball into the same cushion does not constitute a Legal Shot. H. Deciding Colours When Colours have not been decided the table is deemed to be "Open". When the table is open a player may play at either group of Colours. Colours can never be decided on a foul shot. Once Colours are decided, the player remains "On" that coloured group for the duration of the frame. The opponent remains "On" the opposite coloured group. Playing a shot after neglecting to nominate a choice of Colours is a Standard Foul. Any balls potted on such a shot are left in the pocket and ignored for the purpose of deciding Colours. On the Break If no Colours are potted on the break the table is "Open". If one or more Colours are potted on the break the player then has a right and obligation to verbally advise the referee of a choice of Colour before proceeding. Failure to do so is a Standard Foul. If a player is fouled under this rule the opponent faces an "Open" table. if the player nominates a Colour that was potted on the break, the player is on that Colour no matter what happens next. After the Break If a player pots one or more balls of the same Colour, the player is then "On" that Colour. If a player pots one or more balls of different Colours, the player then has a right and obligation to verbally advise the referee of a choice of Colour before proceeding. Failure to do so is a Standard Foul. If a player is fouled under this rule, the opponent faces an "Open" table. I. Time Allowed The Referee will start timing when all balls have come to rest from the previous shot. If the first thirty seconds elapses before a shot is played, the referee will call "Thirty Seconds Remaining" as a warning to the player. This call must be made the instant the thirty seconds has expired. A Referee should not postpone the call because it appears that the player is about to play a shot. If a shot is not played within sixty seconds it is a Non-Standard Foul. The oncoming player is awarded two visits from:- Where the Cue Ball lies, OR, if the player wishes From Baulk The referee may decide to grant "Time Out". being a period when timing ceases:- At the request of a player. (For example, something is obstructing the player or the player needs to leave the playing area.) AND/OR Because the referee deems that it is warranted. (For example, the referee may call time out when making a close foul snooker decision or when searching for a piece of equipment requested by a player.) J. Fouls K. Standard Fouls Potting the Cue Ball - "In Off" {except on a Fair Break - see (F) The Break (4)(c)(1)}. The oncoming player plays from Baulk {see (E) Playing from Baulk (d)(1)}. Playing from outside Baulk when obliged to play from Baulk. {see (E) Playing from Baulk (2)(a)} Potting an opponent's ball. (except when it is the properly nominated ball following a Foul Snooker or Foul Jaw Snooker) Failing to cause the Cue Ball's initial contact with a ball, to be with a ball "On". Accidentally striking the Cue Ball with any part of the cue other than the tip. Accidentally striking an Object Ball with any part of the cue. Playing a shot before all balls have come to rest from the previous shot. Playing a shot before any balls that require spotting, have been spotted. Touching the table while having a cigarette (lit or unlit) in hand or mouth. Causing a cigarette (lit or unlit) to touch the table or enter the space directly above the table. Touching the table while having a beverage container in hand. Causing a beverage container or beverage to touch the table or enter the space directly above the table. Touching the table when not in control of the frame. {see(C) Definitions (9) - Player in Control.} Exception - When a player's turn is finished, that player has a maximum of 10 seconds to move away from the table. (see 11 below) Not moving away from the table within 10 seconds of the time that all balls stopped moving from the final shot of a turn at the table. Coaching:- During a frame, a player is required to play without receiving any advice from other persons relating to the playing of the frame. Should a team member or bona-fide supporter of a player offer advice, the referee will issue a "First and Final Warning" to that person that a repetition will result in the player being penalised via a Standard Foul. Because it may not always be possible for the Referee to hear if a statement made to a player is advice, the referee may issue the First and Final Warning on the grounds that a ny statement made to a player, other than general barracking, is deemed to be coaching. In a tournament setting, a First and Final warning may be given once only, before the commencement of the day's play as a block warning to all players and spectators Leaving the playing area without permission. If a player needs to leave the playing area during a frame or match, "Time Out" must firstly be granted by the referee. {see (I) Time Allowed (5)} Playing a shot after neglecting to nominate a choice of Colour when the obligation and right to do so existed. {see (H) Deciding Colours (1)(e)} Playing a push shot or Double Hit of a type defined in (O) Push Shots and Double Hits. Failing to perform a "Legal Shot". {see (G) Legal Shot} After being awarded a Foul Snooker or Foul Jaw Snooker:- Playing an opponents ball or the Eight Ball without first nominating that ball. Playing a shot while not having at least one foot touching the floor. Failing to "Play Away" from a touching ball. {see (T) Touching Balls (1)(a)}. A ball remaining off the table. {see (U) Balls Off the Table} Players body or clothing touching any ball L. Non-Standard Foul Failure to perform a Fair Break. {see (F) The Break (4)(a)&(b)} Failure to play a shot within 60 seconds of the time that the balls came to rest from the previous shot. {see (I) Time Allowed (4)}. Potting the Cue Ball on a Fair Break. {see (F) The Break (4)(c)(1)} An opponent's ball falling without being hit while the player is in control. {see (V) Balls Falling Without Being Hit (b)}. M. Serious Fouls Playing a shot out of turn (accidentally or deliberately). A player who plays a shot at any time during a frame when the right to do so does not exist has played out of turn. (For example, A player who plays a shot immediately after playing a foul or immediately after the referee has called a foul on that player, has played out of turn.) Deliberately striking a ball other than the Cue Ball with the tip of the cue. Deliberately causing any ball or balls to be moved in a manner other than that which may result from playing a normal shot. Deliberately striking the Cue Ball with other than the tip of the cue. Causing the Cue Ball to jump over any ball. (If the Cue Ball leaves the bed of the table and misses an Object Ball that would have been struck had the Cue Ball not left the table on an otherwise identical shot, the Cue Ball is deemed to have jumped over that Object Ball.) Deliberately interfering, by word or action, so as to disrupt an opponents play. N. Loss of Frame Fouls Potting the Eight Ball when a ball or balls of the player's own Colour are still on the table. (except on the Break) Potting the Eight Ball and the last ball or balls of the player's own Colour in the same shot Committing two Serious Fouls in the one frame. Committing a Serious Foul that disrupts the balls to such an extent that the referee deems it impossible to replace them as close as possible to their original positions. (Exception - a shot played out of turn accidentally. In this case the Referee will give the opponent the choice of either playing the balls from where they lie or replaying the frame. If the frame is replayed, the same player is to break again.) Any deliberate attempt to prevent the opponent from potting the Eight Ball, when the opponent is on the Eight Ball, by way of a Serious Foul or other unsporting manoeuvre. If a player breeches the "Spirit of the Game" to such an extent that the frame (or match) should be awarded to the opponent. O. Push Shots and Double Hits Exceptions that are Standard Fouls:- When, during the playing of a shot, the tip of the cue strikes the Cue Ball twice and the referee is able to actually see each contact. When, during the playing of a shot, a player plays the cue so slowly through the Cue Ball that the cue tip remains in contact with the Cue Ball so as to be visibly pushing it along. When the Cue Ball is played into a touching Object Ball. {see (T) Touching Balls} P. Snookers A player cannot be Snookered by a ball of the player's own Colour. That is, if one of the player's own coloured group is an obstructing ball, it will be ignored for the purposes of determining a Snooker. A player cannot be Snookered on an Object Ball if the Cue Ball is touching that Object Ball. A player cannot be Snookered by the straight sections of the cushions. If a straight section of a cushion is preventing the finest possible cut on the side of an Object Ball, that section of cushion will be deemed not to exist for the purposes of determining a Snooker on that Object Ball. If an Object Ball is partly obscured by a curved section (Jaw), this in itself does not constitute a Snooker. Q. Total Snookers If a player believes that a Total Snooker exists, the player may ask the referee for a ruling. If the referee rules that a Total Snooker exists, the player's obligations under the "Legal Shot" rule are relaxed as follows:- The player need only cause the Cue Ball's initial contact to be with a ball "On". The requirement to pot a ball and / or cause a ball to strike a cushion is waived. R. Foul Snookers If a player believes that a Foul Snooker exists, the player may ask the referee for a ruling. If the referee rules that a foul snooker exists, the player initially has the following options:- Play the Cue Ball from where it lies. {see (4)(a) below} OR Ask the referee to remove the Cue Ball so as to allow the player to play from Baulk. {see (4)(b) below } If the player chooses to play the Cue Ball from where it lies, the player may, if the player wishes, nominate the Eight Ball (but see (5) below) or any one of the opponent's Colour. The player can nominate a particular ball by verbal description of it or its position or by pointing at it. The Referee may ask for further information if any doubt exists as to which ball has been nominated. If the player chooses to play the Cue Ball from Baulk, a Foul Snooker may no longer exist. In this case the procedure under the heading (E) Playing from Baulk (2)(d)(2)&(2)(e) should be followed. If the referee decides that a Foul Snooker does still exist, the player may nominate a ball and follow the procedure in (4)(a) above. If the Eight Ball is nominated it may be played, but potting it will mean loss of frame. If a player is "On" the Eight Ball and Foul Snookered:- The player may play a nominated ball or the Eight Ball and pot either or both of these balls, directly or indirectly, in any pocket or pockets. If neither the Eight Ball or the nominated ball is potted, the player's first visit is complete. If a Foul Snooker exists and the Cue Ball is touching an opponent's ball or balls, the player may, but is not obliged to, nominate one of those touching balls. S. Foul Jaw Snookers T. Touching Balls If the Cue Ball is touching an Object Ball, the player is obliged to "Play Away" from that Object Ball at an angle of not more than 90 degrees. (That is, play the shot without causing the Cue Ball to make any initial further contact with that Object Ball) If, when playing away from a touching ball, the touching ball rocks or moves without being contacted further, but simply because the Cue Ball is no longer there, no penalty will apply. When Colours have been decided:- Playing away from a touching Object Ball of the player's own Colour:- Playing away from a touching Object Ball of the opponent's Colour The player must play away from the touching ball and then meet all the requirements of a Legal Shot. Playing away from the touching Eight Ball when "On" the Eight Ball:- The player must play away from the touching Eight Ball and then need only cause any ball to strike a cushion to fulfill the requirements of a Legal Shot. Playing away from two or more touching Object Balls:- If any of the touching Object Balls are of the player's Colour, the player will be deemed to have played away if the player plays away from any one of the touching balls of the player's Colour. That is, the player may play into any of the other touching balls. The player needs then to only pot a ball or cause any ball to strike a cushion to fulfill the requirements of a Legal Shot. When Colours have yet to be decided:- Playing away from a touching Coloured Ball:- The instant a player plays away from a touching Object Ball the player is deemed to have played that ball. Therefore, the player needs to then only pot a ball or cause any ball to strike a cushion to fulfill all the requirements of a Legal Shot. Playing away from a touching Eight Ball:- The player must play away from the touching Eight Ball and then meet all the requirements of a Legal Shot. Playing away from two or more touching Object Balls:- If the player plays away from any of the touching Coloured Balls the player is deemed to have played that ball. That is, the player may play into any of the other touching Object Balls. The player needs to then only pot a ball or cause any ball to strike a cushion to meet all the requirements of a Legal Shot. U. Balls off the Table Definitions / Examples "Playing Surface":- The playing surface of the table is the flat part of the table between the cushions. "By its own means":- "Off the Table":- It is a Standard Foul if a ball leaves the playing surface and comes to rest on other than the playing surface. (e.g. On the floor or on the top of a cushion) "Spotted":- A ball is spotted when its centre point is placed on the spot or, if this is not possible, as near as possible to the spot in a direct line between the spot and the centre point of the cushion that lies the greatest distance from the Baulk Line. If any of the following balls require spotting, they are spotted in the following order:-
If it is a Cue Ball it is to be played from Baulk. If it is an Object Ball (or Balls) it is to be Spotted. V. Balls Falling Without Being Hit If one of the player's own Colour falls the player is deemed to have potted that ball and the player in control continues with that visit. If one of the opponent's Colour falls into a pocket without being hit, while a player is in control, it is a Non-Standard Foul this will result in end of visit. If the eight ball or the cue ball falls at any time without being hit, it is replaced as near as possible to its original position. If any other balls are moved in these circumstances they shall also be replaced as near as possible to their original positions and the player in control continues with that visit. W. Interference By a person other than the players taking part in the frame or, As a direct result of one of the players being bumped or, Due to any other event deemed outside the players' control such as:- The referee will prevent any unauthorised marking of the table. If a player causes a block of billiard chalk or other foreign matter to be on any part of the table it is not a foul. However, the referee will ensure that the item is removed. If a player repeatedly causes a block of billiard chalk or other foreign matter to be on any part of the table the referee may deem that the player has breached the Spirit of the Game and award the frame to the opponent. Exception to (a) above:- A cigarette or beverage container. {see (K) Standard Fouls (9)} X. Impossible Shot Y. Stalemate where the Cue Ball fails to make contact with an Object Ball. In such a case, the frame will be replayed with the same player breaking. Z. Referee's Guideline and Duties The Referee's decision is final except where players have been advised that it is possible to appeal to a Head Referee or other higher authority. Information to be disclosed / not disclosed by a referee:- A player is responsible for knowing the rules of the game. It is not the referee's duty to explain or quote the rules to a player. The referee shall toss a coin to determine the break and announce the result. If an Object Ball (or balls) is potted on the break the referee will advise both players of this fact by announcing "Ball (or balls) potted". When a player has a right and an obligation to nominate a choice of Colour, and does so, the referee will announce "Player 'A' On Red (or Yellow) Balls". When that player's turn is complete the referee w ill advise the incoming player of the situation by announcing "Player 'B' on Yellow (or Red ) Balls". The Referee will call fouls as soon as they occur and the fouled player immediately loses control of the table.
After a player has been awarded two visits the referee will make no call until the player fails to pot a ball "On". (Except for 30 second time warnings and for any fouls that may occur) The referee will then call "Second Visit" to advise the player that the first visit is complete and the second visit is about to begin. The referee will call any instance when the Cue Ball is touching a ball "On". In the absence of any competition / tournament rules to the contrary, two referees will referee each frame. One referee will make the standard calls such as "Second Visit" and a "Player a on Red (or Yellow) Balls" while the other referee will keep the time. Both referee's will be involved in the refereeing of the frame and either can call fouls. If one referee calls afoul, the other referee can not overrule the call. That is, the two referees have equal authority.
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