Billiard Congress Of America
(World Standardized Rules)
Except when clearly contradicted by these additional rules,
the General Rules of Pocket Billiards apply.
Table Of Contents
OBJECT OF THE GAME
Eight Ball is a call shot game played with a cue ball and fifteen object balls, 1
through 15. One player must pocket balls of the group numbered 1 to 7 (solid colors),
while the other player has 9 through 15 (stripes). THE PLAYER POCKETING HIS GROUP FIRST
AND THEN LEGALLY POCKETING THE 8-BALL WINS THE GAME.
CALL SHOT
In Call Shot, obvious balls and pickets do not have to be indicated. It is the
opponent’s right to ask which ball and picket 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. Any balls
pocketed on a foul remain pocketed, regardless of whether they belong to the shooter or
the opponent. The opening break is not a "called shot." Any player performing a
break shot in 8-Ball may continue to shoot his next shot so long as he has legally
pocketed any object ball on the break.
RACKING THE BALLS
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 footspot, a stripe ball in one corner
of the rack and a solid ball in the other corner.
ALTERNATING BREAK
Winner of the lag has the option to break. During individual competition, players will
alternate breaking on each subsequent game.
JUMP AND MASSE SHOT FOUL
While "cue ball fouls only" is the rule of play when a match is not presided
over by a referee, a player should be aware that it will be considered a cue ball foul if
during an attempt to jump, curve or masse the cue ball over or around an impeding numbered
ball that is not a legal object ball, the impeding ball moves (regardless of whether it
was moved by a hand, cue stick follow-through or bridge).
LEGAL BREAK SHOT
(Defined) To execute a legal break, the breaker (with the cue ball behind the headstring)
must either (1) pocket a ball, or (2) drive at least four numbered balls to the rail. If
he fails to make a legal break, it is a foul, and the incoming player has the option of
shooting the opening break himself or allowing the offending player to rebreak.
SCRATCH ON A LEGAL BREAK
If a player scratches on a legal break shot, (1) all balls pocketed remain pocketed
(exception, the 8-ball: see 8-BALL POCKETED ON THE BREAK), (2) it is a foul, (3) the table
is open. PLEASE NOTE: Incoming player has cue ball in hand behind the head string and may
not shoot an object ball that is behind the head string, unless he first shoot the cue
ball past the headstring and causes the cue ball to come back behind the headstring and
hit the object ball.
OBJECT BALLS JUMPED OFF THE TABLE ON
THE BREAK
If a player jumps an object ball off the table on the break shot, it is a foul and the
incoming player has the option of (1) accepting the table in position and shooting, or (2)
taking cue ball in hand behind the head string and shooting.
8-BALL POCKETED ON THE BREAK
If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break, the breaker may ask for a re-rack or have the
8-ball spotted and continue shooting. If the breaker scratches while pocketing the 8-ball
on the break, the incoming player has the option of a re-rack or having the 8-ball spotted
and begin shooting with ball in hand behind the headstring.
OPEN TABLE
(Defined) The table is "open" when the choice of groups (stripes o solids) has
not yet been determined. When the table is open, it is legal to hit a solid first to make
stripe or 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 or the 8-ball first in the
process of pocketing the called stripe or solid. However, when the table is open and the
8-ball is the first ball contacted, no stripe or solid may be scored in favor of the
shooter. The shooter loses his turn; any balls pocketed remain pocketed; and the incoming
player addresses the balls with the table still open. 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. THE TABLE IS ALWAYS OPEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BREAK SHOT. The
choice of group is determined only when 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 his object ball; however, after
contact with his object ball, an 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.
"SAFETY" SHOT
For tactical reasons a player may choose to pocket an obvious object ball and also
discontinue his turn at the table by declaring "safety" in advance. A safety
shot is defined as a legal shot. If the shooting player intends to play safe by pocketing
an obvious object ball, then prior to the shot, he must declare a "safety" to
his opponent. If this is NOT done, and one of the shooters object balls is pocketed, the
shooter will be required to shoot again. Any ball pocketed on a safety shot remains
pocketed.
SCORING
A player is entitled to continue shooting until he fails to legally pocket a ball of his
group. After a player has legally pocketed all of his group of balls, he shoots to pocket
the 8-ball.
FOUL PENALTY
Opposing player gets cue ball in hand. This means that the player can place the cue ball
anywhere on the table (does not have to behind the headstring except on opening break).
This rule prevents a player from making intentional fouls which would put his opponent at
a disadvantage. With "cue ball in hand," the player may use his hand or any part
of his cue (including the tip) to position the cue ball. When placing the cue ball in
position, any forward stroke motion contacting the cue ball will be a foul, if not a legal
shot.
COMBINATION SHOTS
Combination shots are allowed; however, the 8-ball cannot be used as a first ball in the
combination except when the table is open.
ILLEGALLY POCKETED BALLS
An object ball is considered to be illegally pocketed when (1) that object ball is
pocketed on the same shot a foul is committed, (2) the called ball did not go in the
designated pocket, or (3) a safety is called prior to the shot. Illegally pocketed balls
remain pocketed.
OBJECT BALLS JUMPED OFF THE TABLE
If any object ball is jumped off the table, it is a foul and loss of turn, unless it is
the 8-ball, which is a loss of game. Any jumped object balls are spotted in numerical
order according to General Rules for spotting balls.
PLAYING THE 8-Ball
When shooting at the 8-ball, a scratch or foul is not loss of game if the 8-ball is not
pocketed or jumped from the table. Incoming player has cue ball in hand. Note: A
combination shot can never be used to legally pocket the 8-ball.
LOSS OF GAME
A player loses the game if he commits any of the following infractions:
Fouls when pocketing the 8-ball (exception: see 8-ball
POCKETED ON THE BREAK).
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.
Note: All infractions must be called before another shot is
taken, or else it will be deemed that no infraction occurred.
STALEMATED GAME
If, after 3 consecutive turns at the table by each player (6 turns total), the referee
judges (or if no referee, both players agree) that attempting to pocket or move an object
ball will result in loss of game, the balls will be reracked with the original breaker of
the stalemated game breaking again. The stalemate rule may only be used when there are
only two object balls and the 8-ball remaining on the table.
PLEASE NOTE: Three consecutive fouls by one player is not a loss
of game.
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