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OBJECT
OF THE GAME
Eight-Ball is a call shot game played with a cue ball and 15 object
balls, numbered 1 through 15. One player must pocket balls of the group
numbered 1 through 7 (solid colors), while the other player has
9 through 15 (stripes). The player pocketing either group first,
and then legally pocketing the 8-ball wins the game.
CALL
SHOT
In Call Shot,
obvious balls and pockets do not have to be indicated. It 
is the opponent's right to ask which ball and pocket if he is unsure of
the shot. Bank shots and combination shots are not considered obvious,
and care should be taken in calling both the object ball and the intended
pocket. When calling the shot, it is never necessary to indicate details
such as the number of cushions, banks, kisses, caroms, etc. Any balls
pocketed on a foul remain pocketed, regardless of whether they belong
to the shooter or the opponent. The opening break is not a" called shot."
Any player performing a break shot in 8-Ball may continue to shoot so
long as any object ball is legally pocketed on the break.
RACKING
THE 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.
ALTERNATING
BREAK
Winner of the lag has the option to break. During individual competition,
players will alternate breaking on each subsequent game.
JUMP
AND MASSE 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 masse 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).
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 reracked and having the option of shooting the opening break or
allowing the offending player to rebreak.
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 "Object Balls Jumped Off Table On Break"), (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.
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.
8-BALL
POCKETED ON THE BREAK
If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break, breaker may ask for a rerack 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 rerack or having the 8-ball spotted and begin shooting with ball
in hand behind the head string.
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 or the 8-ball 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, no stripe or
solid may be scored in favor of the shooter. The shooter loses his turn;
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.
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.
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.
"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. 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.
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.
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 head string 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.
COMBINATION
SHOTS
Combination shots are allowed; however, the 8-ball can't be used as a
first ball in the combination except when the table is open.
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.
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 spotted in numerical order according to General Rules for spotting
balls.
PLAYING
THE 8-BALL
When shooting at the 8-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.
LOSS
OF GAME
A player loses the game by committing any of the following infractions:
- Fouls when pocketing
the 8-ball (exception: see 8-Ball Pocketed On The
Break).
- Pockets the 8-ball
on the same stroke as the last of his group of balls.
- Jumps the 8-ball
off the table at any time.
- Pockets the 8-ball
in a pocket other than the one designated
- 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 (or if no referee, both players agree)
that attempting to pocket or move an object ball will result in loss
of game, the balls will be reracked with the original breaker of the stalemated
game breaking again. The stalemate rule may only be used when there are
only two object balls and the 8-ball remaining on the table. Please
Note: Three consecutive fouls by one player is not a loss of game.
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