SVPL Rules Last updated: 08/25/07
OBJECT OF THE GAME - Eight Ball is a call shot game played with a cue ball and fifteen object balls, numbered 1 through 15. One Team must pocket balls of the group numbered 1 through 7 (solid colors), while the other Team has 9 thru 15 (stripes). The team pocketing their group first and then legally pocketing the 8-ball wins the game.
Practice - The game table is reserved for the home team @ (7:30 to 7:45 pm) and the visiting team @ (7:45 to 8:00pm). Once the matches have begun, shooters shall not practice on other tables or on the game table in between games. If a club has two tables, shooters can not play on the empty table prior to their match if they do they are disqualified.
The home team is responsible for the expense of the table.
Home team breaks the first game of the match. Winners will break on the following games of the match
Sign In - The home team must sign in first. Each home team captain is responsible for ensuring that all shooter's sign-in prior to the start of each match and the shooters signature is legible, Only the shooters playing can sign in. Note: once a shooter has signed in he/she must shoot the match.
Forfeits -The first match of the evening will begin at 8:00pm sharp! A 10 minute grace period will be given before the first match and after such time the late team in question will forfeit all matches for the night. Also there is a 5-minute time limit between each match. Once a match is forfeited, all the remaining matches of the evening are also forfeited. In the event of a forfeit, the forfeiting team shall pay a fine of $4.00 per forfeited match. All Shooter's must sign in after a forfeit has been declared. Failure to do so will cause both teams to split 1/2 & 1/2 for the night's forfeits. Shooter's must be present to win by forfeit! Once a captain signs the score sheet for a forfeit the nights matches are over regardless of the 10-minute rule.
On the Break -
if the head ball is not hit on the break, the balls are re-racked and the same team breaks again
if no balls are made on the break, high or low is not committed until the first legally pocketed ball
if a shooter makes a single ball, regardless of high or low, the table is still open and choice is by the next legally pocketed ball
if a shooter makes and equal high and lows, choice is by the next legally pocketed ball
if a shooter makes more of one (high or low), the table is still open and choice is by the next legally pocketed ball
Call Shots - Every shot must be called. (Ball & pocket) after the break! -> 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. just call the ball and pocket. Only the players participating in the match, and the captain if asked, may call the shots.
Legal Combinations - Your ball or the eight ball must be hit first in all combinations.
Dropped Balls - Any ball that drops shall be spotted at the expense of the home team. Any balls stuck in the pocket must be completely above and on the playing surface everything else is a pocketed ball.
Spot Shots - The closest ball to the head rail (including the eight ball) may be spotted in the event of a scratch and none of your balls is beyond the break line, at the next shooter’s option. If two balls are of equal distant and can be spotted, than the highest numbered ball is to be spotted.
Jumping the Cue Ball - over another ball, accidental or otherwise, is illegal and considered a foul.
Legal Balls - All object balls must be completely over or entirely past the break line (or as they say head string) to be legal to shoot. The shooting player may only shoot at an object ball which is above the head string, unless he first shoots the cue ball past the head string and then by hitting a rail causes the cue ball to come back above the head string and hit the object ball.If the incoming player inadvertently places the cue ball on or below the head string, the captain or the opposing player must inform the shooting player of improper positioning of the cue ball before the shot is made. If the opposing player does not so inform the shooting player before the shot is made, the shot is considered legal. If the shooting player is informed of improper positioning, he must then reposition the cue ball. If a player positions the cue ball on or past the head string and shoots the cue ball, it is a foul, if called by the opponent or captain. When the cue ball is in hand behind the head string, it remains in hand (not in play) until the player drives the cue ball past the head string by striking it with his cue tip. The cue ball may be adjusted by the player's hand, cue, etc., so long as it remains in hand. Once the cue ball is in play per the above, it may not be impeded in any way by the player; to do so is to commit a foul.
Calling Fouls - Fouls are to be called immediately after the foul is committed, not when the shooter is finished. All infractions must be called before another shot is taken, or else it will be deemed that no infraction occurred. Only the players participating in the match, and the captain or his designate may call fouls.The co-captain may call fouls and consult only when the captain is shooting.
Jawed Balls - If two or more balls are locked between the jaws or sides of the pocket, with one or more suspended in air, the Captains shall inspect the balls in position and follow this procedure: they shall visually (or physically if they desire) project each ball directly downward from its locked position; any ball that in there judgment would fall in the pocket if so moved directly downward is a pocketed ball, while any ball that would come to rest on the bed of the table is not pocketed. The balls are then placed according to the captain's assessment, and play continues according to specific game rules as if no locking or jawing of balls had occurred.
Jumped Object Balls - Any ball other than the eight ball that flies completely off the table and onto the floor will be spotted. If the eight ball leaves the table the game is lost. Ball or balls to be spotted will be spotted in line with the diamond & frozen to any obstructing ball to the spot.
Split Hits - All split hits are bad hits.
Cue Ball Foul only - If the shooter accidentally moves the cue ball, the shooter loses his turn, leaving the ball where it lies. It is a foul to strike, touch or in any way make contact with the cue ball in play with anything (the body, clothing, chalk, mechanical bridge, cue shaft, etc.) in the execution of a legal shot. It is also a foul if the cue ball is struck more than once by the cue tip on a single stroke. A shot is not complete until all balls on the table have become motionless after the stroke. ( A spinning ball is in motion).
Object Ball Fouls - If any object ball (except the cue ball) is moved accidentally, by hand, stick, or clothing it is not considered a foul. The shooter must return it as closely as possible to its original position as judged by the captains, and the incoming player does not have the option of restoration.
Loss of Game - A player loses the game if he commits any of the following infractions:
Cue ball foul is committed on making the 8-ball.
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
Eight ball does not have to be hit unless it is the last and only ball on the table
Rule Violations - The Captains should work out any rules violation at the time of the violation. IF no agreement – a re-rack shall be declared (one per match).
Heckling -There will be no heckling of opposing players while a game is in progress. Players and Non-Players shall not verbally or visually interfere with shooters. Unsportsman like conduct in nature is embrassing, disruptive or detrimental to other players and hosts, and will not be tolerated.
Misconduct - If the shooter scratches, picks up the cue ball & throws the cue ball on the table and it hits any ball which in turn moves, the shooter forfeits the game. Unsportsman like conduct in nature is embrassing, disruptive or detrimental to other players and hosts, and will not be tolerated.
Foot on the floor - It is a foul if a player shoots when at least one foot is not in contact with the floor.
Scratch money is to be accounted for by both captains @ the end of the night and filled in on the space provided on the score sheet. A $.25 fine shall be collected from the shooter for each scratch.