
The league uses the current
World Standardized Rules for 8-Ball, with a few adjustments for the sake of fairness in league play. The numbers on the left below refer to the sections of the offical Rules. These numbers have been maintained for ease of reference. Not all rules have been transcribed, only those with significance to the league. Any discrepancies or clarifications with rules should be taken up with the Rules Committee of the league. Any decision rendered by the Rules Committee will be deemed final.
ADDITIONAL RULES REQUIRED FOR LEAGUE PLAY
Rules for Tournament Play
1.1 PLAYER RESPONSIBILITY
It is the player's responsibility to be aware of all rules, regulations, and schedules applying to league competition. While league officials will make every reasonable effort to have such information readily available to all players as appropriate, the ultimate responsibility rests with the player. The player has no recourse if such information is not volunteered; the responsibility for knowing the situation and/or the rules lies with the player.
1.9 ASSISTANCE NOT ALLOWED
While a game is in progress, players are not allowed to ask for assistance in planning or executing shots. If a player asks for and receives assistance, it is a foul and the incoming player will receive cue ball in hand.
1.14 CONCESSION
If a player concedes, he loses the game. That is, if a player attempts to unscrew his jointed playing cue stick while the opponent is at the table shooting the eight ball, it will be a concession of the game. No warning is required in the case of a concession.
1.16.1 CUE BALL FOULS ONLY
When a referee is not presiding over a game, it is not a foul to accidentally touch stationary balls located between the cue ball and the shooter while in the act of shooting. If such an accident occurs, the player should allow the opposing player the option to have any disturbed balls returned to their original positions. If the player does not allow such a restoration, and a ball set in motion as part of the shot touches such an unrestored ball, or passes partly into a region originally occupied by a disturbed ball, the shot is a foul. In short, if the accident has any effect on the outcome of the shot, it is a foul. The opposing player may elect to leave the disturbed balls in their new positions. In this case, the balls are considered restored, and subsequent contact on them is not a foul. It is still a foul to make any contact with the cue ball whatsoever while it is in play, except for the normal tip-to-ball contact during a shot.
1.16.3 THIRD OPINION
When a shot comes up that seems likely to lead to controversy, either party may request a league official or a third party to judge the legality of the shot.
1.16.4 SPLIT HITS
If the cue ball strikes a legal object ball and a non-legal object ball at approximately the same instant, and it cannot be determined which ball was hit first, the judgement will go in favour of the shooter.
Instructions for Referees
2.2 JUDGING DOUBLE HITS
When the distance between the cue ball and object ball is less than the width of a chalk cube, special attention is required. In such a situation, unless positively determined that a legal shot has been performed, the following guidance may apply: if the cue ball follows through the object ball more than 1/2 ball, it is a foul.
AMENDMENTS TO RULES FOR LEAGUE PLAY
General Rules of Pocket Billiards
3.1 TABLES, BALLS, EQUIPMENT
Equipment and playing conditions will be deemed acceptable or not by the league, and will not have to meet any specific BCA requirements.
3.6 LAG FOR BREAK
The lag will only apply to tournament play. On regular league nights, including the playoffs, players will be designated two breaks for the four games they will play. The home team will decide if they or their opponents will break the first round, and breaks will alternate for each subsequent round.
3.7 OPENING BREAK SHOT
See Amendment 3.6
3.9 DEFLECTING CUE BALL ON THE GAME'S OPENING BREAK
The opponent will not get the option to break, it will be a re-break by the offending player. There will be no loss of game for further violations, only re-breaks.
3.27 JUMP SHOTS
It is illegal for any player to play a jump shot during league play. Swerve shots are legal, however, masse shots may only be played providing the house rules allow it. If masse shots are not allowed, it must be posted conspicuously in the the playing area of the club.
3.36 BREAKING SUBSEQUENT RACKS
Does not apply to league play.
8-Ball
4.4 ORDER OF BREAK
See Amendment 3.6
4.5 LEGAL BREAK SHOT
..... or 2) having the balls re-reacked and allowing the offending player to re-break.
4.18 JUMP AND MASSE SHOT FOUL
See Amendment 3.27