OFFICIAL RULES

The game is played with one cue ball and 15 numbered object balls.

The balls are racked in a triangle at the foot of the table with the 8-ball in the center of the triangle, the first ball of the rack on the foot spot, a stripe ball in one corner of the rack and a solid ball in the other corner.

The objective of the game is to make one group of numbered object balls, either stripes or solids, and then legally pocket the 8-ball which wins the game.

Stopping or deflecting the cue ball prior to hitting the racked balls is considered an illegal break and the opponent can have the balls re-racked and shoot the break themselves or have the original breaker re-break. (Wal-Mac Rule)

When positioning the cue ball for the break shot, the base of the ball must be behind the headstring (kitchen).

The cue ball on the break must contact the racked balls and four balls must be driven to one or more rails, or an object ball must be pocketed. Failure to do so is an illegal break.

If the breaker fails to make a legal break, the opponent can (1) accept the table as-is and shoot, or (2) have the balls re-racked and elect to shoot the break or have the original breaker re-break.

If the cue ball is pocketed or driven off the table during the break, it is a foul. All pocketed balls remain pocketed (exception: the 8-ball). The incoming player has cue ball in hand behind the headstring.

Incoming player has cue ball in hand behind the headstring and may not shoot an object ball whose base is not outside the headstring, unless they first shoot the cue ball past the headstring and cause it to come back behind the headstring and hit the object ball.

The opposing player must inform the breaking player of improper positioning of the cue ball before the shot is made. If the opposing player does not inform before the shot, the break is considered legal.

Making the 8-ball on the break: The breaker may ask for a re-rack or have the 8-ball spotted and continue shooting. If the breaker pockets the 8-ball and scratches, the incoming player has the option of spotting the 8-ball and shooting from behind the headstring or re-racking and assuming the break. The game cannot be won or lost with an 8-ball on the break.

If the player legally breaks and does not make any balls, the opponent then shoots, having an open table.

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 headstring and shooting. Any jumped balls are spotted in numerical order.

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.

The table is ALWAYS open immediately after the break shot.

When the table is open, it is legal to hit any solid, stripe, or the 8-ball first in the process of pocketing the called stripe or solid.

On an open table, all pocketed balls remain pocketed.

The choice of stripes or solids is not determined on the break even if balls are made from only one or both groups.

The choice of group is determined only when a player legally pockets a called object ball after the break shot.

If a shooter inadvertently pockets an opponent's ball, it remains down. However, if the shooter does not legally pocket one of their own group, they lose their turn.

Each player continues to shoot so long as they legally pocket any of their object balls (exception: calling a safety). If a player fails to pocket their designated group ball, they lose their turn.

If a player fails to hit the 8-ball while shooting at it, it is a foul and the game continues. When the 8-ball is the legal object ball, a scratch or foul is not a loss of game if the 8-ball is not pocketed or jumped off the table. Incoming player has cue ball in hand.

If the cue ball or an object ball stops on the edge of the pocket then falls into the pocket because of vibrations, fan, or stamping of feet, it shall be replaced on the edge of the pocket as near as possible to its position before interference.

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 spotted in numerical order.

SLOW PLAY RULE: Exaggerated slow play will be penalized. After a warning, any longer than ONE MINUTE between shots will be a foul. The third infraction will result in loss of game.

STALEMATED GAME: If in 3 consecutive turns at the table by each player (6 turns total), they purposely foul or scratch and both players agree that attempting to pocket or move an object ball will result in immediate loss of game, then the game will be considered a stalemate. The balls will be re-racked and the breaker of the stalemated game will break again. Three consecutive fouls by one player is NOT a loss of game.

Pocketing the 8-ball when it is not the legal object ball except on an opening break.

Pocketing the 8-ball on the same stroke as the last of your group of balls.

Jumping or knocking the 8-ball off the table at any time.

Pocketing the 8-ball in a pocket other than the one designated.

Fouling while pocketing the 8-ball in the designated pocket.

Third infraction of the slow play rule.

On all shots (except on the break and when the table is open), the shooter must hit one of their group of balls first and (1) pocket any group ball, or (2) cause the cue ball or any other ball to contact a rail.

It is permissible for the shooter to bank the cue ball off a rail before contacting their object ball; however, after contact with the object ball, any group ball must be pocketed, or the cue ball or any other ball must contact a rail.

For tactical reasons, a player may choose to pocket an obvious object ball and also discontinue their 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.

Any ball pocketed on a safety shot remains pocketed.

If a player fails to declare "safety" prior to the shot and pockets their object ball, they must continue to shoot.

All fouls must be called and acknowledged before the next shot is taken. (Exception: scratching)

Failure to make a legal shot as noted above.

Shooting the cue ball into the pocket or off the table.

It is a foul when a player scratches on the break or deflects the cue ball prior to hitting the racked balls. The incoming player receives cue ball in hand behind the headstring.

When placing the cue ball in position, any forward stroke motion contacting the cue ball will be a foul, if not a legal shot.

Shooting without at least one foot touching the floor.

Coaching is a foul. Any member of a team called for coaching will result in a foul on the shooting player. (Wal-Mac Rule: Coaching is allowed during regular season but NOT during playoffs.)

It is a foul to touch, move, or cause any ball to move on the playing surface, unless it occurs as a normal part of a shot.

If the shooter moves a ball and it is not part of a normal shot, the opposing player may replace the moved ball(s) or leave them where they are.

Any ball that stops on the edge of the pocket and then falls in will be placed back on the edge.

The opposing player gets cue ball in hand. This means they can place the cue ball anywhere on the table (does not have to be behind the headstring except on the break shot).

This is the only penalty for a foul.

The referee, if present, has the authority to warn, penalize, or disqualify a player for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Players are expected to maintain good sportsmanship at all times during league play.

STRIKING CUE BALL: Legal shots require the cue ball to be struck only with the cue tip. Failure to meet this requirement is a foul.

POCKETED BALLS: A ball is pocketed when it comes to rest in a pocket. If a ball bounces back onto the playing surface, it is not pocketed.

POSITION OF BALLS: The position of a ball is judged by where its base (bottom) rests on the table surface.

FOOT ON THE FLOOR: The shooter must have at least one foot touching the floor at the time the tip contacts the cue ball, or it is a foul.

KITCHEN DEFINED: The area behind the headstring, not inclusive of the headstring itself.

FOULS BY DOUBLE HITS: If the cue ball is touching the object ball, the player must shoot away from the object ball at a minimum 45-degree angle, or it is a foul.

PUSH SHOT FOULS: It is a foul if the cue tip is still in contact with the cue ball when the cue ball contacts an object ball (unless the cue ball and object ball are almost touching).

JUMPED CUE BALL: If the cue ball is jumped off the table, it is a foul. If it is jumped intentionally to go over another ball, it must be done by striking the cue ball above center.

ILLEGAL JUMPING OF BALL: Deliberately causing a ball to jump by scooping under it with the cue is a foul.

PLAY BY INNINGS: A player's inning is their turn at the table. An inning ends when the player misses, fouls, or wins the game.

OBJECT BALL FROZEN TO CUSHION OR CUE BALL: When the object ball is frozen to a cushion or the cue ball, the player must either pocket the frozen ball or drive it to a different cushion, or drive any ball (except the cue ball) to a cushion.

PLAYING FROM BEHIND THE STRING: When required to play from behind the headstring, the base of the cue ball must be behind the string. The shooter may not hit an object ball that is also behind the headstring unless the cue ball crosses the headstring first.

SLOW PLAY RULE: Exaggerated slow play will be penalized. After a warning, more than ONE MINUTE between shots is a foul. Third infraction results in loss of game.

SCRATCH: A scratch is when the cue ball is pocketed or driven off the table.

EIGHT BALL RUN OUT (ERO): Running the table from the break — pocketing all of your group and the 8-ball without the opponent getting a shot.

TABLE RUN: Pocketing all remaining balls of your group and the 8-ball after your opponent has already shot.