World 8 Ball pool rules at 2015

WEPF THE GOVERNING BODY FOR EIGHTBALL POOL

A.The Spirit of the Game
The Game is known as Eight-Ball Pool. It is expected that players will always play the
game in the true spirit and in a sporting manner. The Referee will take whatever action is
necessary to ensure that the spirit and rules of the game are observed.
C. (9) 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
1. The object of the game is to win by being the first player to Pot a group of Colours in
any order and in any pockets and then Pot the Eight-Ball in any pocket.
2. 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
1. „Baulk‟ is the area of the table behind the Baulk Line at the end of the table. 2. When
playing from Baulk:- a) The centre point of the Cue Ball must behind Baulk Line b) The
Cue Ball can be moved into position by hand or with the shaft of the cue. NOT Cue Tip
c) The Cue Ball may be played in any direction. d)
F. The Break
1. The Object Balls are racked with the Eight-Ball on the Spot. 2. In the absence of any
competition / tournament rules tothe contrary, a coin will be tossed or players will „lag‟,
the winner has choice of break, the break of each subsequent frame will alternate. 3. To
"Break", the Cue Ball is played at the triangle of Object Balls from Baulk. The frame
commences the instant that the Cue Ball is played 4. a) The Break will be deemed a "Fair
Break" if:- ii) At least one Colour is pottedAND/OR iii) Four Object Balls (at least) are
driven to a cushion. b) If theBreak is not a Fair Break it is a Non-Standard Foul AND:-
ii) The opponent is awarded two visits. iii) The balls are re-racked iv) The opponent re-
starts the game and is under the same obligation to achieve a Fair Break c) i) 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. ii) If the break is not a Fair Break and the Cue Ball is potted, the
penalty for failure to perform a Fair Break applies. 5. 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 breach of the
„Spirit of the Game‟ occurs 6. Where the wrong player performs the break, if:- ii) The
break is fair, the opponent will continue with 2 visits and an open table. iii) The break is
not a Fair Break, see 4(b) above

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G. Legal Shot
1. On all shots, the player must:- a) Cause the Cue Ball's initial contact with a ball to be
with a ball "On", AND THEN b) Pot a ball "On" OR; Cause the Cue Ball or any Object
Ball to contact a cushion. 2. Failure to play a Legal Shot is a Standard Foul. 3.
EXCEPTIONS: a) On the Break, the conditions of a Legal Shot do not apply. {See (F)
The Break} b) When playing out of a Total Snooker a player is only obliged to meet the
conditions of(1)(a) above. i) Definition: A player is in a Total Snooker when it is
impossible to play any part of any of the player's own Colour by way of a "straight line"
shot. Leaving an opponent in a Total Snooker is not a foul. ii) If a player believes that a
Total Snooker exists, the player may ask the referee for a ruling. iii) 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. iv) In a Total Snooker, the straight sections of the cushions DO come into
consideration. If a player has to strike a cushion prior to impact with a “ball on”, then a
“Total Snooker” does exist. 4. INTERPRETATIONS: a) 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. b) If the Cue Ball and an 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
1 GENERAL a) 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. b) Colours can
never be decided on a foul shot. b) Once Colours are decided, the player remains "On"
that coloured group for the duration of the frame. c) 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. 2. ON THE BREAK a) If
no Colours are potted on the break the table is "Open". b) 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. c) i)
If the player nominates a Colour that was potted on the break, the player is on that colour
no matter what happens next. ii) If the player nominates a Colour that was not potted on
the break, to be on that Colour, the player must pot a ball of that Colour on the next shot.
3. AFTER THE BREAK a) If a player pots one or more balls of the same Colour, the
player is then "On" that Colour. b) If a player pots one or more balls of different Colours,
the player must verbally advise the referee of a choice of Colour before proceeding.
Failure to do so is a Standard Foul.
I. Time Allowed
1. A player has a maximum of sixty seconds to play each shot. 2. If the first thirty
seconds elapses before a shot is played, the referee will call "Thirty - seconds" as a
warning to the player. 3. If a shot is not played within sixty seconds it is a Non-Standard
Foul. The incoming player is awarded two visits from:- a) Where the Cue Ball lies, OR,
if the player wishes b) From Baulk. 4. The referee may decide to grant "Time Out", if
warranted. a) At the request of a player. (For example, something is obstructing the
player or the player needs to leave the playing area.) WEPF Website: www.wepf.org

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J. Fouls
There are three types of foul. Standard Fouls, Non-Standard Fouls, and Loss of Frame
Fouls. A player can only be penalised for one foul at a time. If two or more fouls are
committed during a shot, the foul that carries the most severe penalty will apply.
K. Standard Fouls
Are to be called by the referee as soon as they occur and the fouled player is in control,
until all balls from that shot come to rest. The referee then awards two visits to the
opponent. 1) Potting the Cue Ball - "In Off" {Except on a Fair Break}. 2) Playing from
outside Baulk when obliged to play from Baulk. 3) Potting an opponent's ball. {Except,
when it is the properly nominated ball following a Foul Snooker or Foul Jaw Snooker} 4)
Playing out of turn. {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. 5)
Accidentally striking the Cue Ball with any part of the cue. 6) Accidentally striking an
Object Ball with any part of the cue. 7) Playing a shot before all balls have come to rest
from the previous shot. 8) Playing a shot before any balls that require spotting, have been
spotted. 9) a) Touching the table while having a cigarette (lit or unlit) in hand or mouth.
b) Causing a cigarette (lit or unlit) to touch the table or enter the space directly above the
table. c) Touching the table while having a beverage container in hand. d) Causing a
beverage container or beverage to touch the table or enter the space directly above the
table. 10) Touching the table when not in control of the frame. 11) Not moving away
from the table within 10 seconds of the time that all the balls stopped moving from the
final shot of a turn at the table. 12) Coaching: - During a frame, a player is required to
play without receiving any advice from other personsrelating to the playing of the frame.
Should a team member or bone-fide supporter of a player offer advice, the referee will
issue a "First and Final Warning" to that person, or persons, thata repetition will result in
the player being penalised via a Standard Foul. 13) Leaving the playing area without
permission.. 14) Playing a shot after neglecting to nominate a choice of Colour when
required to do so.{seeDeciding Colours1.(d)} 15) Playing A Push Shot or Double Hit 16)
Failing to perform a "Legal Shot". 17) After being awarded a Foul Snooker or Foul Jaw
Snooker: - Playing an opponent‟s ball or the Eight Ball without firstly nominating that
ball. 18) Playing a shot while not having at least one foot touching the floor. 19) Failing
to "Play Away" from a touching ball. 20) A ball remaining off the table. 21) Players‟
body or clothing touching any ball. 22) Jump shot, (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). A break shot that results in the pack being jumped will be deemed to be not
a Fair Break (see 4b)
L. Non-Standar d Fouls
are to be called by the referee as soon as they occur and the fouled player is in control,
until all balls from that shot come to rest. The referee will then impose the relevant
penalty. 1) Failure to perform a Fair Break. { see The Break (4)(a)&(b) } 2) 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) } 3) Potting the cue ball on a fair break.{ see The Break
(4)(c)(1)}

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M. Loss of Frame Fouls
1) 1) Committing a foul in the same shot that the Eight Ball is potted. (EXCEPT on the
Break) 2) 2) Potting the Eight Ball when a ball or balls of the player's own Colour are
still on the table.(EXCEPT on the Break) 3) 3) Potting the Eight Ball and the last ball or
balls of the player's own Colour in the same shot. 4) 4) Deliberately striking a ball other
than the Cue Ball with the tip of the cue 5) 5) Deliberately causing any ball or balls to be
moved in a manner other than that which may result from playing a normal shot. 6) 6)
Deliberately striking the Cue Ball with other than the tip of the cue. 7) 7) Deliberately
interfering,by word or action, so as to disrupt an opponent play. 8) If a player breeches
the „Spirit of the Game‟ to such an extent that the frame (or match) should be awarded to
the opponent.
N. Push Shots and Double Hits
1) DEFINITIONS: Generally, any shot played with speed will not be deemed to be a
Push Shot regardless of the fact that the cue tip may have come into contact with the Cue
Ball more than once. 2) EXCEPTIONS that are Standard Fouls:- 3) 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. 4) 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. 5) When the Cue Ball is played into a touching Object Ball.
O. Snookers
1) DEFINITION: A player is „Snookered‟ when it is impossible to play the finest cut
possible on both sides of any of that player's own Colour by way of a "straight - line"
shot. 2) 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. 3) A player cannot be Snookered on an Object Ball if
the Cue Ball is touching that Object Ball. 4) 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. 5) If an Object Ball
is partly obscured by a curved section of a cushion (Jaw), this in itself does not constitute
a Snooker.

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P. Foul Snookers
DEFINITION: When a foul occurs, and this results in the incoming player being
Snookered, the incoming player is deemed to be Foul Snookered. 2) If a player believes
that a Foul Snooker exists, the player may ask the referee for a ruling. 3)If the referee
rules that a foul snooker exists, the player initially has the following options: a) Play the
Cue Ball from where it lies. {see (4) (a) below} OR b) Ask the referee to remove the Cue
Ball so as to allow the player to play from Baulk. {see (4) (b) below} 4) a) i) If the player
chooses to play the Cue Ball from where it lies, the player may 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. ii) Once
nominated, a ball is deemed to „become one‟ of the player's Colour for the first shot of
the first visit. The player may then play any of the player's own Colour or the nominated
ball. If any of the player's Colour and/or the nominated ball is potted, the player
continues with the first visit. b) If the player chooses to play the Cue Ball from Baulk, a
Foul Snooker may no longer exist. 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. FOR FU
RTHE R INFORMATION ABOUT THE WEPF AND ITS MEMBE RS, PLEASE
VISIT THE WEPF WEBSITE AND CONTACT THE SECRETA RY. 5) If the Eight
Ball is nominated it may be played, but potting it will mean loss of frame. 6) If a player
is "On" the Eight Ball and Foul Snookered: - The player may play a nominated ballor the
Eight Ball and pot either or both of these balls, directly or indirectly, in any pocket or
pockets. Assuming the player does not commit a foul:- i) If neither the Eight Ball nor the
nominated ball is potted, the player's first visit is complete. ii) If the nominated ball is
potted and the Eight Ball is not, the player continues with the first visit. iii) If the
nominated ball and the Eight Ball are potted, the player wins the frame. iv) If the Eight
Ball is potted and the nominated ball is not, the player wins the frame. 7) 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.
Q. Foul Jaw Snooker If an opponent fouls and the Cue Ball comes to rest on or near a Jaw
(curved part of a cushion), and that Jaw is preventing the player from playing the finest cut
possible on both sides of any of that player's own Colour by way of a "straight - line" shot,
the player is deemed to be Foul Snookered and all the rules pertaining to Foul Snookers will
apply.
R. Touching Balls
1) GENERAL a) If the Cue Ball is touching an Object Ball, the player is obliged to
"Play Away" from that Object Ball at an angle of more than 90 degrees. (That is, play the
shot without causing the Cue Ball to make any initial further contact with that Object
Ball) b) 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. 2) 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 fulfil the
requirements of a Legal Shot

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S. Balls Off the Table
1) It is a Standard Foul if a ball leaves the playing surface (other than being potted) and
remainsoff the playing surface or doesn't return by its own means. 2) DEFINITIONS /
EXAMPLES "Playing Surface":- The Playing Surface of the table is the flat part of the
table between the cushions "By its own means":- ii) It is not a foul if a ball leaves the
playing surface, runs along the top of a cushion, drops back on to the playing surface and
comes to rest there or falls into a pocket. iii) It is a Standard Foul if a ball leaves the
playing surface, comes into contact with a person or object that is not a part of the table
and then returns to the playing surface. "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 this is not possible, as near as is possible to the spot, in a direct line
between the spot and the centre point of the baulk line. If any of the following balls
require spotting, they are spotted in the following order:- 1. Eight-Ball, thenRed Balls
then Yellow Balls 2.Eight-Ball, then Numbered Balls in numerical order 3) If a ball
leaves the playing surface and remains off the playing surface, it shall be returned to the
table:- a If it is the Cue Ball it is to be played from Baulk. b If it is an Object Ball (or
Balls) it is to be Spotted.
T. Balls Falling Wit hout Being Hit
1. Any ball that falls into a pocket at any time, without being struck, shall be replaced by
the Referee to its original position, no penalty. Time will be re-started and the player in
control continues with the visit. 2. Should any ball fall into the pocket after a shot is
played and before balls come to rest, providing the fallen ball played no part in the shot,
once all other balls have stopped moving, it shall be replaced as described above. a) If a
legal pot was made play continues with the same visit. b) If no pot was made play
continues with the next visit. c) If a foul was made then the next player will continue
with the appropriate penalty. 3. Should any ball fall into the pocket after a shot is played,
but before balls come to rest, and the fallen ball would have been struck, then the Referee
will replace all balls to their original positions a) If no infringements of the rules were
committed during the shot, or the Cue Ball is potted as a result of a ball falling that the
cue ball would otherwise hit, the player who played will replay the shot or may play a
different shot. b) If any foul was committed (other than as defined in a) above) then the
next player will continue with the appropriate penalty. c)
U. Interference
1 If any balls are moved during a frame:- a) By a person other than the players taking
part in the frame OR, b) As a direct result of one of the players being bumped OR, c)
Due to any other event deemed outside the players' control such as:- i) „Act of God" such
as an earthquake etc ii) Tip falling off a cue or end falling off a spider etc, the referee
will replace the balls as near as possible to the positions they were in before the incident
occurred, no penalty shall be imposed on either of the players and the frame shall
continue.
V. Impossible Shot
A situation may arise during a frame where it is impossible for a player to play a shot
without fouling. In such a situation the player has no other option but to commit a foul.

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W.Stale mate
The referee shall declare a Stalemate if both the player and the opponent have three turns
in succession 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.

Referees Guidance (See separate sheet) Established 1992 © Copyright of the World
Eightball Pool Federation (WEPF) ABRIDGED Version - Issued January 2015
OFFICIAL RULES OF THE WORLD EIGHTBALL POOL FEDERATION
www.wepf.org