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, while the other player has 9 through 15.  The player pocketing either group first, and then legally pocketing the 8 ball wins the game.

 

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.  Banks 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 indicated details such as the number of cushions, banks, kisses, caroms, etc. (failure is loss of turn)  Any balls pocketed on a foul or uncalled shot, belonging to the shooter, will be spotted or remain pocketed, at the opponents option, provided he deposits any quarters required.  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 pockedted on the break.  Any player pocketing an uncalled ball of his group, can be required to shoot again at the opponents option.

 

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 and racked as tight as the rack allows.

 

The following procedure is used for the lag for the opening break.  Each player should use balls of equal size and weight (preferably non-striped object balls).  With the balls in hand behind the head string, one player to the left and one to the right of the head spot, the balls should be shot simultaneously to the foot cushion and back to the head end of the table.  A player must lag before opponent's ball contacts head rail or stips.  The player whose ball is the closer to the innermost edge of the head cushion wins the lag.  The lagged ball must contact the foot cushion at least once.  Other cushion contacts are immaterial.  It is an automatic loss of the lag if:

 (1)  The ball crosses into the opponent's half of the table and makes contact with opponent's ball.

 (2) The ball fails to contact the foot cushion.

 (3) The ball drops into a pocket.

 (4) The ball jumps the table.

If both players violate automatic-loss lag rules, or if a referee is unable to determine which ball is closer, the lag is a tie and is replayed.

 

(Defined) To execute a legal break, the breaker (with a cure ball behind the head string) must either (1) pocket a ball, or (2) drive at least four 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.  The 8-ball on the break is a win unless cue scratches then it is a loss of game.  The game does not start until the cue ball hits the rack.

 

If a player scratches on a legal break shot, (1) all balls pocketed remain pocketed, (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 behnd the head string, unless he first shoots the cue ball past the head string and cuases the cue ball to come back behind the head string and hit the object ball.

 

If a player jumps an object ball off the table on the break shot, the incoming player has the option of (1) to spot the ball or, (2) pocket the ball, before the next shot is taken.

 

(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, and 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 of the 8-ball first in the process of pocketing the called stripe of solid 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 immediatley after the break shot.  The choice of group is determined only whan 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, and 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.

 

Jump Shot:

A legal jump shot is defined as striking the cue ball above center with the cue tip causing the cue ball to rebound from the bed of the table.  Jumping over a ball by scooping the cue stick under the cue ball is illegal, therefore a foul.  A foul is not committed on a miscue that causes the cue ball to leave the surface of the table.

 

Masse Shot:

A masse shot is a legal shot when executed as defined.  A shot in which extreme spin is applied to the cue ball with the cue tip by elevating the cue butt causing the cue ball to take a curved path.

 

Push Shot:

A push shot occurs when the cue ball and the object ball are within an inch of each other and the cue stick is not elevated at least 30 degrees (except when the cue and the object ball are frozen or player is shooting away from the ball).  The opposing player must indicate a push shot exist to the shooter prior to the shot for the push shot penalty to be assessed.  ( The push shot penalty is ball in hand).

 

Fouls:

The following infractions result in cue ball in hand penalty (1) Failure to execute a legal shot (2) A scratch shot or shooting the cue ball off the table (except on the break) (3) Shooting without at least one foot on the floor (4) Moving the cue ball by means other than legal play. (A team cannot win or tie a match on a foul or illegally pocketed ball).

 

Foul Penalty:

Opposing player can (1) get cue ball in hand or (2) may pass the shot.  With Ball in Hand, the player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table.  It does not have to be behind the head string except on the 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 (except the face of the tip) to position or reposition the cue ball.  If any ball is touched with the cue ball while positioning it, it is a foul.  To Pass the Shot, the opponent must shoot from where the cue ball stops or behind the head string on a scratch.  After the shot is passed, if the opponent fouls a second time, the opposing player has the same options.  If he chooses to pass the shot a second time and his opponent commits a third fould consecutively, without the opposing player shooting, it is a loss of game for the opponent.

 

Inadvertant Ball:

Any ball that falls on its on accord (after having stopped for at least 3 seconds), will be replaced as close as possible to its original position.

 

Balls Knocked Off The Table:

The incoming player will determine before he/she shoots, if any balls knocked of the table will be spotted or pocketed.  Any ball to be spotted will be placed on the foot spot unless it is occupied, then it will be palced directly behind the foot spot and frozen to any interfering balls except the cue ball, where the ball to be spotted shall be placed as close to the cue ball as possible and not be frozen.

 

Frozen Ball:

When the ball is frozen on the rail, the shooter must be made aware before he shoots.  To execute a legal shot, the shooter must, after contact, (1) drive the frozen ball to another rail (2) any other ball to any rail or (3) pocket the ball.