Tauranga Citizens Club a Member of Charter Clubs NZ

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CNZ EIGHT BALL RULES - 2008

1. OBJECT - the object is to win by potting a set of balls in any sequence and then potting the

8 ball in accordance with the following rules.

2. SET OF BALLS - a set of balls is either “1-7 /under’s/solids” or “9-15 /over’s/stripes”.

3. CHALK – chalk colours that adversely affect the cloth and/or balls will not be allowed.

4. CONCEDED FOULS - any foul that is not called or claimed by the opponent will be

conceded once the next shot is played. No claim for a penalty will apply to that unclaimed foul.

5. RACKING – the spot (front) ball to be placed on the rack spot, 8 ball in centre of third row, and an ‘under’ and an ‘over’ to each back corner of the triangle. The cue ball to be placed in the ‘D’.

6. RACK BREAK - no penalties (Rule 7 through to Rule 37) will apply to the rack break.

(a) Cue ball to be played from within the ‘D’

(b) Toss/lag for break and then break alternately;

i). Break attempt must occur within 30 seconds following the toss/lag.

(d) If rule 6© is not achieved, the balls will be re-racked and the opponent may decide who plays

whilst retaining original breaking order for the following frames.

(e) When an object ball is potted from the rack break, and four balls have touched a cushion,

the player has the choice of set and continues. They must make their choice of set known

either to the opponent and/or the referee before play continues; failure to do so will

incur loss of turn. The incoming opponent has an open table.

(f) When the 8 ball is potted it is re-spotted.

(g) When the cue ball is potted by itself or in conjunction with any other ball(s), or any ball is

played off the table, the turn ends. No set can be claimed and no penalty applies. If the

cue ball was potted or played off the table it is re-placed in the ‘D’ and it is the

opponent’s turn. Set claim is now to be established in accordance with rule 7.

(h) If either of the set balls can not be played because of a full snooker by the 8 ball or the

cushion, the break will be deemed to be invalid and the balls will be re-racked in accordance

with rule 6(d).

7. SET CLAIM

A set is established by a player nominating and potting one or more balls of a set without fouling

This will also apply to any free ball potted legally within the provision of rule 15.

8. TURN. – refers to a sequence of legally played shots by a player or team (in the case of doubles).

(a) A turn ends when a player either (i) fails to pot a ball, (ii) fouls, (iii) asks opponent to play again.

9. PLAY AGAIN OPTION - if a player fouls, the opponent may make that player play again from

where the cue ball rests. There will be no play again option, when the penalty is a Multi-Combo. Clubs NZ 8 Ball Association - 2008 Page 2 of 5

10. BALLS OFF THE TABLE - off the table means coming to rest right off the bed of the table.

(a) player’s set balls and the 8 ball are to be re-spotted on the rack spot in accordance with rule 11.

(b) opponent’s set balls are pocketed.

11. RACK SPOT - the ball is to be placed on the rack spot or as close to it, as is possible, along the

centre line without touching any other ball.

12. WITHIN THE ‘D’ - contact point of cue ball and table to be on or within the line of the ‘D’.

13. BALL IN PLAY - a ball in play is a ball that is in contact with the bed of the table at a

position not less than ¼ of its diameter from the drop lip of the pocket.

If a declared ball in play falls into a pocket unaided, it shall be replaced and no penalties or claims will apply. Any ball that is not declared and has been pocketed unaided will remain pocketed and no penalty or claim will apply. If an undeclared 8 ball falls in to the pocket unaided it shall be re-spotted in accordance with rule 11.

14. POTTED 8 BALL - whenever the 8 ball is potted as a freeball or potted out of sequence it shall be

re-spotted on the rack spot in accordance with rule 11.

15. FREEBALL PENALTY - a player may ask the opponent to play again or use a free ball

(any ball) as an extra ball to their own set for that penalty shot only. A nomination by

ball number is required before the shot is played.

16. MINOR FOUL - the following fouls have a freeball penalty.

cue ball pocketed

any snooker by the opponent

one or more balls of the un-nominated set is potted in an open table turn

jump shot

failure to nominate

unintentional interference

ball off the table

shot time foul

communication during play

striking any ball other than the cue ball

playing before any appropriate balls have been re-spotted and/or come to rest

playing a shot without at least one foot touching the floor

playing the cue ball from outside the “D” when applicable

double cueing

17. SHOT - a shot is the tip of the cue making contact with the cue-ball to apply forward motion to the cue-ball in an attempt to strike an object ball. A shot cannot be played until all balls are stationary

Clubs NZ 8 Ball Association - 2008 Page 3 of 5

18. DOUBLE CUEING.

(a) When, during the playing of a shot, the tip of the cue strikes the cue ball twice and each contact can be clearly seen or heard

(b) When, during the playing of a shot, the player plays the cue so slowly through the cue ball that the tip can be seen to remain in contact with the cue ball and visibly pushing it along

19. SNOOKER - a player is snookered if unable to strike both extreme edges of any of their set balls

all of a player’s set balls must be snookered for a claim to apply.

a player’s own set balls and rail cushions are not a cause of a snooker.

a jaw snooker by an opponent is the cause of a snooker

any player may request a referee’s opinion as to whether or not they are snookered

wherever a trainee referee gives a decision, players can request a senior referee to check that the correct decision was given

20. COMBO-BALL PENALTY - a player may ask the opponent to play again or place the cue ball in any position on the table and then by choice include a freeball as in rule 15. If the offending player removes the cue ball after committing a combo-ball foul the opponent may;

a) request that the cue ball is replaced for a play again option

b) take a combo-ball penalty (There will be no play again option, when the penalty is

a Multi-Combo)

21. MAJOR FOULS - the following fouls have a comboball penalty;

playing or potting the opponents ball

playing or potting 8 ball out of sequence

playing out of turn

any two successive fouls, (on a play again option)

anytime the cue ball fails to contact an object ball

22. MULTI COMBO-BALL PENALTY (no play again option will apply) – will give the opponent a combo-ball with the first visit of their turn. At the conclusion of the first turn the player will be given a second turn (refer to rule 8). Any foul committed in the execution of the multi combo will result in an end to the penalty with all applicable fouls to be applied.

23. EXTREME FOULS - the following fouls have a multi combo-ball penalty;

(a) playing the opponents ball directly with intent;

(b) playing the 8 ball out of sequence with intent;

(d) any intentional and/or demeanour foul at the discretion of the referee or tournament controller as per Rule 31.

24. JUMP SHOT - a jump shot is when the cue ball is played off the bed of the table before contacting

an object ball

25. LOSS OF FRAME - the following foul has a loss of frame penalty:

(a) any foul when on the 8 ball except a snooker in which case a free ball will apply in accordance with rule 16 (b).

(b) the moment the 8 ball is pocketed legally, all rules cease with the exception of 16 (a) “in off” & 23(d ) “intentional/demeanour foul”.

Clubs NZ 8 Ball Association - 2008 Page 4 of 5

26. STALEMATE - a stalemate is when the players have repeatedly played shots that are not an

attempt to pot a ball. The referee will issue a warning to players that the frame is in jeopardy of

being declared a stalemate. If the players fail to satisfy the referee that the frame situation has

been resolved, the referee will declare a stalemate and all play will cease. The 8 ball will then be

placed at the centre of the back cushion (behind the rack spot). Players will now have only one

ball of their original set and the 8 ball left to play. A ball from each set will be placed on

the back cushion on opposite sides of the 8 ball at the approximate centre of each half of the table.

The cue ball will be placed in the D; the players will toss/lag to decide who takes 1st turn.

27. SHOT TIMING - starts from when a referee calls for a 30 seconds allowance to continue play

28. BALL CLEANING - a referee will have the discretion to clean a ball only following a player/s

request. If a player requests a ball to be cleaned during a referee shot timing, the clock will only

be paused and timing will resume once the referee signals a return to play.

29. TIME CALL - to be conducted by referees, only with notification and authorisation of the

tournament control

(a) any player who is not ready at the control area within 2 minutes of their match being called

up for play, shall forfeit the first frame to the opponent

(b) after each additional minute a frame will be forfeited until the match is lost

30. COMMUNICATION DURING PLAY

a) no player may discuss tactics or seek coaching during play.

b) doubles players may discuss tactics at the table on the 1st shot of each turn.

31. DEMEANOUR - in all instances players are to refrain from coaching from the sidelines

and to ensure their behaviour both on and off the floor is exemplary. Wherever a player becomes

abusive or uncontrollable, or chooses not to play to the rules in accordance with their intent

the appointed referee may apply a penalty.

32. PROTESTS – any player wishing to lodge a protest must notify the tournament controller

within 10 minutes of a match ending. Protests may be lodged on any ruling given by either a

trainee or qualified referee.

33. DRESS STANDARDS.

(a) Tailored slacks, dress or skirt (for ladies) or trousers (for men).

(b) Collared shirt or a collared blouse with sleeves.

Optional - waistcoat, dress pullover or cardigan, tie or bow tie.

Team uniforms are welcome provided they comply with the above.

34. DEFAULTS - any player who defaults from an event after the start of play without good cause shall

be subject to possible disciplinary action.

35. REFEREES - may call fouls at any stage of play and have the discretion to apply a ruling in

keeping with the objects of the game. Clubs NZ 8 Ball Association - 2008 Page 5 of 5

36. RE-FRAMES - no re-frames will be permitted if and when a table is deemed to be out of level.

The frame in progress is to be completed and then the table and/or balls can be checked by the

table groomer at the discretion of the tournament controller.

37. MEASURES & MARKERS - no form of measure or marker is allowed to be used on the table.

All balls that are pocketed are out of play & cannot be used by players as a measure