House Rules 8-ball

Tournament Play Players have a coin toss for the break and they split the cost of the rack.

Racking 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. All racked balls should be touching one another.

Call Your shots 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 necessary to indicate details such as the number of cushions, banks, kisses, caroms, etc. Specify (clean, # of rails, kisses) the opening break is not a called shot.

Open Table 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. However, when the table is open and the 8-ball is the first ball contacted, it is a foul and the shooter loses his turn; the incoming player is awarded cue ball in hand behind the head string; and the incoming player addresses the balls with the table still open.  The choice of group is determined when a player legally pockets an object ball or balls of one single group.  If at least one object ball of each group is made, the table is still open. If the groups have been determined and the player mistakenly shoots at and pockets a ball of the opponents group, the opponent must call a foul on him before he takes his next shot. If he fails to do so, the player automatically takes over the group of balls (solids or stripes) at which he has been shooting during this inning.

Combination Shots are allowed; however, the 8-ball can’t be used as a first ball in the combination. Otherwise, should such contact occur on the 8-ball, the shooter loses his turn and the opponent resumes play as the balls lay.  Each ball in the combination must be called.  

Jump shots are not permitted by scooping the cue ball below the center line.

Masse shots are permitted. However, if the impeding ball moves (regardless of whether it was moved by a hand, cue stick follow-through or bridge); the opponent resumes play as the balls lay. If the cue tip strikes the table, during masse or any other shot, it is considered a foul and the opponent resumes play as the balls lay.

Illegally Pocketed Balls An object ball is considered to be illegally pocketed when that object ball did not go in the designated pocket. The shooter loses his turn and the opponent resumes play as the balls lay.  

8-BALL Pocketed On Break If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break, the breaker is declared the winner. If the breaker scratches while pocketing the 8-ball on the break the breaker is declared the loser.

Object Balls Jumped Off Table If a player jumps an object ball off the table the object ball is spotted,  the incoming player has the option of accepting the table in position and shooting, or taking cue ball in hand behind the head string and shooting.

Scratch Shot If the cue ball leaves the table or is pocketed it is considered a scratch shot. The opponent will resume play with cue ball in hand behind the head string.

Cue Ball In Hand Behind The Head String A player 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.

Miscue/Accidental Contact. If a shooter moves a ball before making the shot, the ball may be moved back to the original position and resume shooting again. It is the responsibility of the opponent to approve the placement. A miscue is not considered accidental contact and results in the loss of turn with the opponent playing the balls as they lay.

Playing The 8-Ball When the 8-ball is the legal object ball a scratch or the 8-ball leaving the table results in a loss. A combination shot can never be used to legally pocket the 8-ball. When the 8-ball is not the legal object ball, any pocketing, or leaving the table results in a loss of the game.  

Intentional Dog at any time if a player does not hit their object ball and their opponent feels that this was an intentional attempt to leave a difficult shot; the opponent has the right to ask the shooter to shoot again from where the ball lays.

Foot on floor one foot must remain on the floor during play.

Members Only A membership is required to win a tournament. If a non member wins a tournament, the membership fee is deducted from the winnings.

Judgments If there are any questions regarding the rules ask the person running the tournament to make a decision. DO NOT continue play based on anyone’s opinion other than the tournament organizer.

Coaching is not permitted; no shot or strategy advice and no questions concerning the rules or anything related to tournament play should be asked of anyone except the tournament organizer. If a third party volunteers such information; the players should ask them to stop. If they do not stop; speak to the tournament organizer.