Rules

EIGHT BALL RULES USED BY THE BCBC POOL LEAGUE

1. THE LAG

Players will lag for break. At the same time, players shoot a ball from behind the head string, banking it off the foot rail and back to the head of the table. Striking the side rails or pockets loses the lag. The ball closest to the head rail wins the lag. You may strike the head rail.

If during the lag the balls touch each other you must lag over.

All games must be played with a red dot cue ball.

2. THE BREAK

The break must be an open break. A minimum of three (3) object balls must be driven to a rail to constitute an open break. Pocketing a ball is the same as hitting a rail. If an open break is not made, the balls shall be re-racked, and the opposing player shall break.

On the break, when the cue ball is scratched or jumped off the playing surface, a ball-in-hand penalty is enforced.

If an object ball leaves the table on break, spot the ball – no foul (except for the 8-ball, which constitutes automatic loss of game).

3. CHOICE OF GROUP

The choice of stripes or solids is not determined on the break. The table is always open immediately after the break shot. The choice of group is only determined when a player legally pockets a ball after the break shot.

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. You may also hit the eight ball first to pocket a stripe or solid. Intention should be made as to where a designated ball will be pocketed.

If on the shot, the player meets the conditions above, but is called for a foul in the process of that particular shot, the table shall remain open. The opponent receives ball in hand.

4. PLAYING THE 8 BALL

A ball-in-hand penalty is assessed when a player has the 8 ball as his object ball and commits a foul but does not:

1. Pocket the 8 ball;
2. Scratch the cue ball;
3. Jump the 8 ball off the playing surface; or
4. Jump the cue ball off the playing surface.

5. AUTOMATIC LOSS-OF-GAME FOULS

Automatic loss of game shall occur in any of the following conditions:

1. Making the 8 ball on the break, and the cue ball either scratches or jumps the table coming to rest off the playing surface;
2. Jumping the 8 ball off the table at any time;
3. Making the 8 ball in a pocket other than the pocket designated;
4. Making the 8 ball when it is not the designated ball;
5. Scratching the cue ball when playing the 8 ball;
6. Pocketing the 8 ball by hand, bridge, body, jewelry, etc.;
7. Failure to allow the cue ball to come to a complete stop prior to anyone touching the cue ball; or
8. Pocketing the 8 ball and touching the cue ball.

6. STALEMATE

A stalemate occurs when neither player wants to shoot because he/she will open the table for his/her opponent. This usually occurs late in a game when few balls remain on the table and are touching or are very near to each other.

If the cue ball is handed back and forth 3 consecutive times, a stalemate is declared and a replay game is started with the same player breaking.

BCBC LEAGUE RULES

THE 10 POINT RULE

At any point in a match, the handicaps of a team’s players for all 5 matches must total 10 or more, regardless of which players from the team are present.

A team cannot shoot a couple of matches, then forfeit the rest if their handicaps don’t add up to 10 or more.

To enable the team to play the following week, the League Operator and the Captain will meet to decide what steps can be taken to lower their handicaps so the team can satisfy the 10 Point Rule for their next match.

This league was established to allow players of all skill levels to compete fairly and have an enjoyable night out.

REMEMBER – When one of your players shoots in a RT3, his established handicap whether he/she is a 1, 2, 3 or 4 – it is this handicap that is counted towards the 10 POINT RULE, not a “3”!

PLAYING THE WRONG BALLS

If a player begins shooting at the wrong group of balls and strikes one, whether it is pocketed or not – IT IS A FOUL. Although it would be good sportsmanship to tell an opponent that he/she is about to do this, it is not required. The shooter’s opponent must immediately tell the shooter of the foul after the wrong ball is shot, NOT after more balls are pocketed. THAT THEN IS A FOUL. Captains should pay attention to tell his player that he/she is shooting the wrong ball and call a timeout.

FOULS

If a player wishes, he/she can pick up the cue ball and hand it to the opponent.

Fouls can be called by any player on either team. Only the shooters must agree that a foul has occurred. Ignorance of the rules is no excuse for committing a foul or failing to acknowledge that a foul has occurred. If the shooter is not sure a foul has occurred, the team Captain must make the decision for the shooter before the game can resume. Disputes are to be settled by the team Captains. If the Captains are unable to resolve the issue, the game will continue as if no foul had occurred.

Captains should watch close hits for possible fouls when asked. Before taking the cue ball in hand, a foul must be called and acknowledged by the opponent.

A player can call a foul for the following reasons and a ball-in-hand penalty results:

1. Scratching the cue ball or causing the cue ball to leave the table is an automatic foul and need not be called.
2. Failure to strike an object ball of the correct group first.
3. If a shooter is in position to make his/her shot and a teammate asks them “Do you want a timeout?” or “Do you want to talk about it?” (or anything similar) in an effort to stop the shooter from taking the shot he/she is preparing to take, that will be considered a TIMEOUT, because you are changing the player’s mind concerning the shot he/she was going to take.
4. If a shooter already had a timeout in a game and another is called, or a coach approaches the shooter and talks to him/her – a foul can be called. This is a sportsmanship call.
5. Failure to drive a ball into a rail or a pocket.
6. “Digging” under the cue ball with intent to make it jump.
7. If your stick or the bridge comes into contact with and moves 1 or 2 balls, it is a foul. If 3 or more balls are moved, which will change the outlook of the game, it is a GAME-ENDING FOUL.
8. If the players disagree with a shot, then it goes to the Captains. If they can’t agree, the game is shot over. If one of the players refuses to shoot that game over, then he/she loses that game.
9. Touching the cue ball with your hand, your stick or a bridge.
10. A person not involved in the game interfering or coaching other than that explained in the “Coaching” section. After 1 warning for this infraction, a foul should be called.
11. Marking the table in any way as an aiming aid. Examples: Having a coach hold a finger on a spot for aiming purposes while the player is shooting; using a stick in a sawing motion to mark for aiming; using a piece of chalk on a rail as a target; marking the table with a wet finger as an aiming point; using the cue tip to make a mark for aiming purposes.
12. Tapping your hand on the table while a ball is still rolling. One warning by the opposing captain should be made before calling a foul.
13. The ferrule on a pool stick is considered part of the tip, so moving the cue ball on the lag, lining up a shot from a ball in hand or when setting up to break is a foul. It doesn’t matter if you are attempting to move the cue ball forward, backwards or sideways – you cannot touch the cue ball with the tip or the ferrule.
14. If any ball is accidentally moved during a shot and then comes in contact with any ball putting it in motion as a result of the shot – it is a ball-in-hand foul.

GAMBLING

1. There shall be no wagering on BCBC league matches.
2. Gambling is cause for expulsion.

COACHING

1. Once during each game, a time-out may be called by the shooter or any player on his/her team.
2. Only 1 coach can join the shooter at the table. When a player calls for a time-out, that coach must come to the table right away – NO HUDDLES. Your 1 minute for time-out starts when you call for a time-out.
3. The coach provides the necessary info, then moves away from the table.
4. If the coach returns to the table a 2nd time, IT IS A FOUL.
5. Time-Outs are limited to 60 seconds. Warning 1st, then – IT IS A FOUL.
6. The coach cannot position the cue ball or mark the table for the shooter.
7. The coach can never pick up or touch the cue ball. Nor can he bring his stick or use the player’s stick to show how to hit the ball. IT IS A VERBAL TIMEOUT ONLY!
8. You must be on the team roster to serve as a coach. If not, IT IS A FOUL.
9. A player can ask his teammates which group of balls he/she is shooting and it is not a foul. If a teammate tells a player that he/she is about to shoot an opponent’s ball without the shooter asking – IT IS A FOUL.

CUE BALL IN HAND

When a player is given cue ball in hand, he/she can place it where they want by hand or by using their cue shaft. If the ferrule or tip of the cue stick touches the cue ball – IT IS A FOUL.

CUE BALL FROZEN TO OBJECT BALL

1. If the cue ball is frozen to another ball, hitting it straight WILL result in a double kiss – a ball-in-hand foul.
2. You must raise your stick or shoot at an angle of at least 45 degrees to allow the cue ball to glance off of the object ball, avoiding the double-kiss. The opponent must call the balls frozen prior to the shot being taken. Raising your stick in this instance is permitted as long as your hand remains lower than your armpit.

SPLIT HIT

1. When shooting at a ball that has another ball so close to it that it will be difficult to determine which ball is hit first, it is called a “split hit”.
2. In this circumstance, the benefit of the doubt goes to the shooter.

NO SHARKING ALLOWED

1. When your opponent is shooting at a match-ending 8 ball, DO NOT BREAK DOWN YOUR CUE STICK or break stick before the game is over. This is a game-ending foul and the shooter doesn’t even have to shoot the 8 ball. Unless the stick falls and is damaged, then he can use another.
2. After your turn is over, do not return to the table for any reason until it is your turn again. This includes grabbing the chalk or rack and checking to see if a ball is frozen without notifying your opponent. This can be called as a ball-in-hand foul.

SPOTTING BALLS

1. If an object ball leaves the table, it shall be placed on the foot spot unless other balls interfere, in which case it shall be placed on the long string, behind the foot string as close as possible to the foot spot. The ball can be frozen to an object ball, but not the cue ball.
2. In the event the cue ball or an object ball stops on the edge of a pocket and then falls into the pocket because of bumping of the table, or stomping of feet, it shall be placed on the edge of the pocket as near as possible to its previous position.
3. If a ball stops by the pocket, then falls in before the next shooter, the home team Captain will replace the ball as close to the spot where it fell in. Even the cue ball. But if the cue ball falls in again before the next shooter comes to the table, it stays in – then it’s a ball-in-hand foul. This is also true for any object ball or 8 ball. If the next player’s stomping their feet or bumping the table, it is a foul against the player causing the ball to drop.
4. The home Captain shall replace the ball; however if it remains on the edge for 5 seconds or more and falls in again, it shall remain pocketed.
5. If the object ball drops into the pocket while the player is shooting, it is replaced and the shot is executed again, provided the player was shooting at that ball.
6. Failure to do any of the above is a ball-in-hand foul.

INDIVIDUAL SCORING AND QUALIFYING

1. Individuals receive 1 point for each match won.
2. Players handicaps are based on their performance percentages.
3. Individuals must play a minimum of 5 matches per session to qualify for the playoffs.
4. The top 16 shooters combined from the Fall and Spring sessions (as ranked by performance) will play a single elimination tournament called Top Gun at the annual summer picnic.
5. Monetary awards will be presented to the teams finishing at the top of the standings at the end of each regular session. The amount paid will depend on the number of teams participating in the session and the balance in the League treasury. The amount will be set by the League Operator.
6. A $5 cash award will be given for each break and run and for each 8 ball on the break made during match play. Team Captains should note these on their score reports – for your team and your opponent. B/Rs and 8 balls on the break must be reported by 1 PM Thursday or you will lose it.

PLAY-OFFS

A single-elimination tournament will be held immediately after each session. We use a bracket format involving only the top 16 teams from the session. Money is awarded to the winner of the tournament. Payouts depend on the number of teams and money in the league treasury. Only 1st and 2nd will get plaques. 3rd and 4th will only receive money along with 1st and 2nd place.

GRIEVANCES

Grievances will be made to the arbitration board. Currently the board members are Barry Weirich (724 712-9187), Ray Brooks (724), and John Bolas (724 302-7316). They will make their decision and pass it on to the League Operator for final approval.

OBJECT BALL FROZEN TO RAIL

If a ball is frozen to a rail, opponent and shooter must agree. Players must be advised at each attempt to shoot a frozen ball. When playing such a shot, the player must:

1. Pocket the frozen ball.
2. Cause the cue ball to contact a rail after hitting the frozen ball.
3. Drive the frozen ball into another rail.
4. Cause another object ball to be pocketed or hit a rail.

SUMMER PICNIC

1. A picnic will be held after the Spring session each year for all league members free of charge with a $10 fee for 1 guest.
2. Food and beer is free. A one-time $5 payment gets you mixed drinks all day.
3. There will be door prizes and a 50/50 raffle.
4. A Top Gun tournament and an All-Star tournament will be held for anyone who played in the Spring session.
5. Each team picks 1 player for the All-Star tournament.
6. The Top Gun players are determined by the league based on performance.
7. If a team has only 2 players at the picnic and both are on the Top Gun list, they must both shoot in the Top Gun Tournament.
8. If you decline to shoot in the Top Gun tournament, you cannot shoot in the All-Star tournament.
9. A player cannot participate in both tournaments.
10. A pool cue will be awarded to the “Most Improved Player” as determined by the league based on performance.
11. A player who has played more than 50% of the matches over the last 3 sessions is eligible for the “Most Improved Player” award.
12. A player cannot win the “Most Improved Player” 2 years in a row.

LEAGUE BY-LAWS

The following items will necessitate a 75% Captains vote to pass:

1. Any change to the 10 point rule.
2. Any change to the handicap percentage system.
3. Reinstatement of a player who has been suspended or banned from the league for initiating a physical confrontation, a financial issue, or any reason the league saw fit.

LEAGUE DISCIPLINE

1. Players getting into a heated face-to-face argument get a warning.
2. Captains getting behind in dues more than twice get a warning.
3. If you have been given a warning, the next warning you get will lead to a suspension starting with the current session and continuing until the completion of the following session.
4. If you cause any damage to one of the sponsoring bars or clubs on pool night or throw or slam a stick across the pool table, you will be suspended as described in #3 of the By-Laws.
5. Warnings will remain in effect for 5 years.
6. Suspensions last for the current session and continue until the end of the following session. You will be allowed to attend the picnic should it be at the end of your total suspension.
7. EXPULSION: If you initiate a physical confrontation, you will be out of the league for 4 sessions after which you will need a 75% approval of the Captains to return.