|
OFFICIAL RULES OF THE BCA POOL LEAGUE
9-BALL
3.1 The Game
9-Ball is a rotation-style game played
with a cue ball and nine object balls numbered 1 through 9. The 9-ball is
the game winning ball. The object of the game is to pocket the 9-ball on
any legal shot.
3.2 9-Ball Rack
The balls are racked as follows (see Figure 3-1):
a. in a diamond shape with
the 1-ball as the apex ball on the foot spot;
b. the rows behind the apex are parallel to the foot rail;
c. the 9-ball is in the middle of the rack;
d. the remaining balls are placed at random.
3.3 9-Ball Break Requirements
1. You begin the break with ball in hand
behind the head string. The cue ball must contact the 1-ball before any
other ball or cushion or it is a foul. You must either pocket a ball or
cause at least four object balls to contact the cushions, or it is an
illegal break. If you pocket a ball you continue to shoot; if you do not
pocket a ball or if you commit a foul, your inning ends.
2. If your break is illegal, your inning ends and your opponent is awarded
ball in hand.
3. In all cases on the break, jumped object balls other than the 9-ball
are not returned to the table. If the 9-ball is jumped, it is spotted.
4. If you pocket the 9-ball on a legal break you win the game. If you
pocket the 9-ball and foul on the break and it is spotted.
3.4 Push-out After the Break
1. On the first shot after a legal break,
the player taking that shot has the option to shoot a push-out. On a
push-out:
a. the cue ball does not have
to contact the lowest numbered ball or any object ball at all;
b. no ball has to contact a cushion
c. all other rules and fouls still apply.
2. Any object balls except the
9-ball that are pocketed on a push-out remain pocketed. If the 9-ball is
pocketed, it is spotted.
3. If you play a push-out, you must notify your opponent before the shot
and your opponent must acknowledge your intention.
4. Your inning always ends after a push-out. Your opponent may:
a. accept the table in
position and shoot, or;
b. require you to shoot again with the table in position.
5. You may not play a push-out if
you have ball in hand on the shot after the break.
3.5 Continuing Play
1. After the break (and push-out, if one
occurs), play continues as follows:
a. the lowest numbered ball
on the table must be the first object ball contacted by the cue ball
or it is a foul;
b. If you legally pocket any ball your inning continues;
c. the 9-ball is spotted if it is pocketed on a shot on which a foul
occurs or if it is jumped;
a. other jumped balls and illegally pocketed balls are not returned to
the table.
2. When it is your inning, you
must continue to shoot as long as you legally pocket a ball on each shot.
If you do not legally pocket a ball or if you commit a foul, your inning
ends.
3. The game is won by the player who legally pockets the 9-ball.
3.6 Three Successive Fouls
If you commit three successive fouls in
one game you lose the game. After your second successive foul your
opponent or a referee must warn you that you are on two fouls and
you must acknowledge the warning. If the warning is not issued and
you foul a third successive time:
a. it is not considered your
third successive foul;
b. you do not lose the game;
c. your foul count remains at two.
3.7 Stalemate
If the table is in a position such that a
referee has determined that any attempt to pocket or move a ball will
result in loss of game, and each player has had three innings without
significantly changing the position, the referee will declare a stalemate
and the game will be replayed with the player who broke the game breaking
again. |
