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OFFICIAL RULES OF THE BCA POOL LEAGUE
General Rules
OFFICIAL RULES OF THE BCA POOL LEAGUE
Text appearing in bold and
italics highlights rules that are either new or that have significant
changes.
RULES SECTION 1
GENERAL RULES
These rules apply to all BCAPL
tournaments, league play, and other BCAPL events. Unless clearly
contradicted or suspended by specific game rules, the General Rules apply
to all games.
1.1 Player Responsibility
You are responsible for knowing
the rules, applied rulings, regulations, and schedules that pertain
to any BCAPL event you enter. You are also responsible for cooperating
with all referees and event officials, and for accurately providing all
requested information concerning your participation in the event to
referees and event officials when asked to do so.
1.2 Acceptance of Equipment
1. Once your match begins, you
accept the equipment as standard and legal. After a match has begun, only
a referee or event official may declare the equipment to be defective or
unsuitable for play. If equipment is declared unsuitable for play, all
games previously played on that equipment will be counted. (AR)
2. It is a foul if you attempt to modify
equipment without the permission of a referee or event official. The foul
occurs immediately upon the attempt, regardless of whether or not a stroke
or shot is attempted. (AR)
1.3 Use of Equipment
The BCAPL reserves the right to
prohibit any equipment it deems untested or inappropriate, or that has not
been evaluated by the BCAPL National Office.
1. You are responsible for all
equipment and accessory items you bring to the table. You may not use,
or attempt to use, equipment or accessory items in a manner other than
their intended use:
a. You may use only your cue stick, held in your
hand or not, to help align a shot.
b. You may use either a
built-in or an add-on cue extender.
c. You may use your own chalk
provided the color is compatible with the cloth.
d. You may not use more than
two mechanical bridges at any one time. A bridge may only be used to
support the cue stick or another bridge.
e. You may not use any item
to prop up your bridge hand. You may hold chalk in your bridge hand
while bridging, but the chalk may not be used to elevate your hand off
the table.
f. You may not use any ball,
your cue stick, the rack, or any other equipment or width-measuring
device to determine if the cue ball or any object ball would fit
through a gap or to judge what ball the cue ball would contact first.
2. You may not wear any
electronic headgear or use any electronic device during a match. Examples
include, but are not limited to:
a. Headphones, earphones, or
electronic earplugs, including Bluetooth accessories, whether turned
on or not. Medically required hearing aids are permitted.
b. Cell phones, pagers, or
music devices. Cell phones may be worn on the belt or kept in pockets,
but may not be accessed for messages or conversations at any time
during a match by singles or scotch doubles players or during your
game in team play. You must turn off all audible ringers and other
notification tones while on the event floor. Emergency communications
are permitted at any time.
3. Violation of this rule is a
foul, and an unsportsmanlike conduct warning must be issued; a second
violation results in loss of game; a third violation results in loss of
match. (AR)
1.4 Cue Stick Requirements
1. Your cue sticks must meet
BCAPL specifications.
2. If you use an illegal cue
stick it is a foul, and the illegal cue stick must be removed from play.
An unsportsmanlike conduct warning must be issued; a second violation
results in loss of game; a third violation results in loss of match. (AR)
1.5 Starting time of Match
The start time for your match is
its scheduled time or the time the match is announced, whichever is later.
If you are not present at the table with your equipment within 15 minutes
after the start time you lose the match by forfeit. (AR)
1.6 Playing Without Referees
When a referee is not available,
the Tournament Director or designated event official will fulfill the
duties of the referee.
1.7 Beginning of Game or Match
Your match or game begins when
the cue tip strikes the cue ball during any stroke on the opening break.
1.8 No Practice Allowed During Match
1. It is a foul if you practice
at any time during your match, including time-outs and periods of
suspended play. "Practice" is defined as any stroke or shot that is not a
part of your match, taken on any table at the event venue. In team play,
this rule applies to all members of the team roster, whether or not they
are playing at the time and whether or not they are listed on the score
sheet of the match in progress. (AR)
2. Singles and Doubles penalties:
the first violation is a foul, and an unsportsmanlike conduct warning must
be issued; a second violation results in loss of game; a third violation
results in loss of match.
3. Team Penalties – all penalties
are team penalties; second and third penalties may be incurred by any
member of the team.
a. For practice violations by
players who are actually playing in a game at that time: it is a foul,
and an unsportsmanlike conduct warning must be issued to the team; a
second violation results in loss of game for the player that commits
the second violation; a third violation results in loss of match for
the team.
b. For practice violations by players who are not
actually playing in a game at that time: it is a foul on all tables, and
an unsportsmanlike conduct warning must be issued to the team; a second
violation results in loss of the current game on all tables; a third
violation results in loss of match for the team. (AR)
1.9 Stopping Play
1. You may request the assistance
of a referee if you believe that that a foul may occur or has occurred, or
if you need clarification concerning the rules. If you desire the
assistance of a referee, you must notify your opponent and your opponent
must acknowledge your request. You must notify your opponent before they
are down on the shot. (AR)
2. If your opponent requests that
play be stopped in order to summon a referee or other event official, you
must acknowledge and honor that request. After play has stopped, it is a
foul if you take any stroke or shot until you are authorized to
shoot by a referee.
1.10 Suspended Play
Play may be suspended at the
referee's discretion. It is a foul if you take any stroke or shot
while play is suspended.
1.11 Time Out
If time outs are allowed by event
regulations, you may only take a time out during your inning or when it
is your turn to break. Each player is allowed one time out per match.
Time outs are limited to five minutes. If you exceed your allotted five
minutes, or leave the playing area when not authorized to do so, you will
forfeit one game for every two minute period you fail to return to the
match. The two minute period begins once a referee has determined you are
not present when you should be. Time outs are not allowed in team play
during BCAPL sanctioned tournaments. (AR)
1.12 Lag for Break
1. The lag begins with each
player having ball in hand behind the head string, one to the left of the
long string and one to the right. The balls must be of equal size and
weight. The players shoot at approximately the same time toward the foot
cushion. The ball must contact the foot cushion. When the balls come to
rest, the player whose ball is closest to the head cushion wins the lag.
If the lag is a tie, it is replayed.
2. You lose the lag if your ball:
a. does not contact the foot
cushion;
b. contacts the foot cushion
more than once;
c. crosses the long string;
d. contacts a side cushion;
e. is pocketed or jumped off
the table;
f. comes to rest past the
nose of the head cushion (see Diagram 6);
g. is shot after your
opponent's ball contacts the foot cushion.
3. The player who wins the lag
may either break or require their opponent to break.
1.13 Breaking Subsequent Games of
a Match
In matches consisting of multiple
games the Administrative Authority of the event will set the procedure for
determining which player or team will break subsequent racks. (AR)
1.14 Racking Procedures
1. All BCAPL events require you
to rack for yourself when you are breaking. You must rack the balls as
tightly as possible. That means that each ball should touch all balls
adjacent to it. (AR)
2. After you rack the balls your
opponent may inspect the rack but must not touch any ball. If your
opponent is not satisfied with the rack, they may require you to re-rack
the balls one time. After one re-rack, if both players cannot agree that
the rack is suitable for play a referee must be called. The referee will
then rack the balls for that game.
3. You should refrain from
tapping balls unless necessary. It is preferable to brush the area of the
rack to even out the cloth, and ensure that the spot attached to the
cloth, if any, is in good condition.
1.15 Deflecting the Cue Ball When
Breaking
When breaking, it is a foul if
you stop, grab, or deflect the cue ball after your cue tip strikes it. You
will also receive a mandatory unsportsmanlike conduct warning. A second
violation results in loss of game; a third violation results in loss of
match.
1.16 Shot Clock Procedures
1. The use of a shot clock is
intended to prevent slow play. There is normally no time limit for you to
take a shot. However, a shot clock may be implemented if a referee judges
that you are delaying a match unnecessarily or in an unsportsmanlike
manner, or if event officials require that a match proceed at a faster
pace. (AR)
2. If you feel your opponent is
deliberately or consistently playing at an abnormally slow pace, you may
call a referee. If, after a reasonable period of observation, the referee
judges that slow play is occurring, the offending player(s) will receive a
warning. After the warning, if the referee further judges that the pace of
play remains abnormally slow, the match will be placed on a 30 second shot
clock.
3. If a shot clock is used, it
always applies to all players at that table. Shot clock procedures follow:
a. During a player’s inning,
the 30 second shot clock starts when the previous shot ends and runs
until cue tip to cue ball contact begins the next shot. If a player
has ball-in-hand, the shot clock starts when the player has possession
of the cue ball and any spotting of balls or racking is finished.
b.
If they are not already down on the shot when
ten seconds remain on the shot clock, the player will receive a ten
second warning from the referee (announced as “ten”).
If the player does not strike the cue ball
within ten seconds it is a shot clock violation.
c. “Down on the shot” means
the player is in a customary shooting position as it relates to their
bridge hand and grip of the cue, or, if using a mechanical bridge, the
bridge has been placed for the shot and the cue stick placed in the
bridge’s groove with the player’s grip hand on the cue.
d.
If a player is already down on the shot at the
10 second mark, no announcement will be made and the player may exceed
the time limit provided they do not stand up off the shot. However, if
the player stands up off the shot, the referee will immediately
announce “ten” and if the player does
not strike the cue ball within ten seconds it is a shot clock
violation.
e. Each player is allowed one
30 second extension per rack. If both players are on the hill, each
player receives two extensions in the decisive game. To use an
extension, the player must verbally announce “extension” to the
referee. The referee will then respond with “extension”, or “extension
not allowed” if the player has no extension remaining. Timing
procedures for extensions are the same as for other shots.
f. Any shot clock violation
results in a foul and is penalized according to the specific rules of
the game being played. (AR)
g. If a shot clock is used it
does not apply to the first shot after the break in any game.
1.17 Calling Ball and Pocket
(AR)
1. This rule applies only to
games designated by specific game rules as Call Shot games. You must
designate the called ball and the called pocket before each shot. The
designation may be made verbally or by gesture. You do not have to call
obvious shots. You do not need to indicate incidental kisses and caroms,
or incidental cushion contacts that do not constitute bank shots or
kick shots.
2. If you are not certain what
shot your opponent is attempting, it is your responsibility to ask. You
must ask before your opponent is down on the shot. With the exception of
bank, kick, or combination shots, if you are not certain about a shot and
you do not ask, the shot will be considered obvious
3. Regardless of whether or not
your opponent asks, and regardless of how simple or obvious a shot may
appear to you, bank shots, kick shots, and combination shots are
defined as being not obvious and must always be called.
4. When calling bank shots, kick
shots and combination shots you only have to designate the called ball and
called pocket. If shooting a combination you do not have to say the word
“combination” or state which ball will be struck first or the sequence of
balls. When shooting a bank shot or kick shot you do not have to say the
word “bank” or “kick” nor specify which cushions will be involved in the
shot.
5. When the game winning ball is
your legal object ball, if you pocket the ball on a bank shot, kick
shot, or combination shot but fail to call the shot your inning ends,
the ball is spotted, and the incoming player must accept the table in
position.
6. If you do not call a bank
shot, kick shot, or combination shot and you pocket any ball on
that shot, your inning ends and the incoming player must accept the table
in position.
7. If a shot that was obvious
prior to the stroke inadvertently becomes a bank shot because the ball did
not go directly into the called pocket but instead contacted two or more
cushions prior to being pocketed in the called pocket, the shot is scored
for the shooter and the inning continues.
1.18 Legal Stroke
You must use a legal stroke. Any
lifting, sideways, or other brushing motion of the cue stick, such that
the force that propels the cue ball does not primarily result from a
forward motion of the cue stick as defined under “Legal Stroke”, is a
foul. (See Diagrams 4 and 5).
1.19 Legal Shot
Unless otherwise stated in
specific game rules, a shot is legal if:
a. a legal stroke is used;
b. the first ball contacted
by the cue ball is a legal object ball;
c. after that contact, any
object ball is pocketed, or the cue ball or any object ball contacts a
cushion.
If any of the above requirements
are not met, it is a foul. Cushion contact under (c) may be subject to
Rule 1.20. (AR)
1.20 Object Ball Frozen to
Cushion (AR)
1. If the first object ball
contacted by the cue ball is frozen to a cushion, then after the cue ball
makes contact with the frozen object ball:
a. any object ball must be
pocketed, or;
b. the cue ball must contact
a cushion, or;
c. the frozen ball must
contact a cushion attached to a separate rail, or;
d. another object ball must
contact a cushion.
2. Any ball, including the cue
ball, which is frozen to a cushion at the start of a shot and then is
forced into a cushion attached to the same
rail is not considered to have
contacted that cushion unless it leaves the cushion, contacts another
ball, and then contacts the cushion again.
1.21 Cue Ball Frozen to Object
Ball or Cushion (AR)
1. If the cue ball is frozen to a
legal object ball, it is legal to shoot toward the object ball provided
you use an otherwise legal stroke and no other foul is committed.
2. If the cue ball is frozen to a
cushion, it is legal to shoot the cue ball into the cushion provided you
use an otherwise legal stroke and no other foul is committed.
3. While the initial cue tip to
cue ball contact of a stroke in the situations described in 1.21.1 and
1.21.2 is always legal, the presence of one or more object balls nearby
may create the possibility of a violation of Rule 1.31 during the
same stroke, but after the initial cue tip to cue ball contact.
4. Shooting the cue ball away
from an object ball that is frozen to the cue ball does not constitute
contact with that object ball.
1.22 Penalties for Fouls
1. If you commit a foul or
otherwise violate the rules you are penalized according to the General
Rules, the specific rules of the game being played, or both.
2. Unless otherwise stated in a
specific General Rule or specific game rules, if you commit a foul or
otherwise violate the rules your inning ends and your opponent is awarded
ball in hand.
1.23 Fouls Not Called
Any foul not called before the
next stroke is taken is considered to have not occurred. The failure to
call a foul on any previous shot does not restrict the ability to call a
similar foul on any future shot.
1.24 Multiple Fouls
If you commit more than one foul
during a shot, only the foul that carries the most severe penalty is
enforced. However, unsportsmanlike conduct and deliberate fouls may
be penalized in conjunction with any foul.
1.25 One Foot on the Floor
It is a foul if you do not have
at least one foot in contact with the floor when the cue tip strikes the
cue ball. Footwear must be normal in regard to size, shape and manner in
which it is worn.
1.26 Balls in Motion
It is a foul if you shoot while
any ball is in motion. A spinning ball is in motion.
1.27 Failure to Contact Legal
Object Ball First
It is a foul if the first object
ball that the cue ball contacts is not a legal object ball. A simultaneous
hit with a legal and illegal object ball is a legal hit.
1.28 Scratch
It is a foul if you scratch.
1.29 Balls Jumped Off the Table
It is a foul if you cause any
ball to be jumped off the table. (AR)
1.30 Push Shot
It is a foul if you shoot a push
shot.
1.31 Double Hit
1. It is a foul if your cue tip
strikes the cue ball more than once on the same stroke.
2. It is a foul if your cue tip
is still in contact with the cue ball when the cue ball strikes an object
ball. However, if the cue ball and object ball are in close proximity to
each other and the cue ball strikes the object ball at a very slight angle
the shot will be considered legal provided no other foul is committed. The
referee is the sole judge of whether or not the angle taken results in a
legal shot. The referee may not advise you concerning the angle taken for
the shot. (AR)
1.32 Miscues
A miscue is not a foul if the
shot is otherwise legal.
1.33 Disturbed Balls (Cue
Ball Fouls Only) (AR)
1. It is not a foul to
accidentally touch or disturb a single object ball, with any part of your
body, clothing or equipment, unless the accidental movement has an effect
on the outcome of the shot.
2. "Effect on the outcome of the
shot" means that either the disturbed ball makes contact with any ball set
in motion as a result of the shot, or that the base of any ball set in
motion as a result of the shot passes through the area originally occupied
by the disturbed ball. That area is defined as a circle approximately
seven inches in diameter centered on the position originally occupied by
the disturbed ball (see Diagram 7).
3. If there is no effect on the
outcome of the shot, your opponent has the option to leave the disturbed
ball in position or restore it to its original location on the table. If
the disturbed ball is to be restored, a referee may restore it, your
opponent may restore it, or you may restore it with your opponent’s
permission. If you touch or restore the disturbed ball without your
opponent's permission it is a foul.
4. It is a foul if there is an
effect on the outcome of the shot. Your opponent is awarded penalties
in accordance with the General Rules and specific game rules and has
no restoration option.
5. If you accidentally move a
single object ball, and in the same shot commit a foul that is not related
to the disturbed ball, your opponent is awarded the penalty for the foul
and also has the restoration option for the disturbed ball that was not
involved in the foul.
6. If a disturbed ball falls into
a pocket with no effect on the outcome of the shot, your opponent has the
restoration option. However, if the disturbed ball is designated by
specific game rules as the game winning ball, it must be restored.
7. It is a foul if you disturb
more than one object ball.
8. It is a foul if a disturbed
ball contacts any other ball.
1.34 Jump Shots and Massé Shots
1. Jump shots are legal shots.
However, it is a foul to intentionally cause the cue ball to rise off the
bed of the table by "digging under" or "scooping" the cue ball with the
cue stick. (AR)
2. (Deleted)
3. If you attempt to jump over or
massé around an impeding illegal object ball then Rule 1.33, Disturbed
Balls, does not apply to the impeding ball for that shot. If the
impeding ball moves during the stroke it is a foul regardless of whether
it was moved by the cue ball, your equipment or any part of your body.
4. Any attempt to curve the cue
ball around an impeding ball is a massé shot, regardless of the degree of
elevation of the cue stick or amount of
curve.
1.35 Position of Ball
The base of a ball determines its
position unless otherwise stated in specific game rules (see Diagram 2).
1.36 Shooting with Ball in Hand
Behind the Head String (AR)
1. When you have ball in hand
behind the head string, it is a foul if the first ball contacted by the
cue ball is behind the head string unless you first shoot the cue ball
past the head string and it contacts a cushion at a point below the head
string before contacting that ball.
2. It is a foul if, before
contacting the first object ball, the first cushion contacted by the cue
ball is behind the head string.
1.37 (Deleted)
1.38 Ball in Hand Placement
1. When you have ball in hand,
you may use your hand or any part of your cue, including the tip, to
position the cue ball. If you use your cue stick to place the cue ball,
any action which would be a legal stroke will be considered a shot, and
must meet the requirements of a legal shot or it is a foul.
2. Once you have picked up the
cue ball to take ball in hand, it remains in hand until your next stroke.
After it has been picked up,
the cue ball may be placed,
picked up again and replaced successive times until that stroke is taken.
3. Immediately after a foul, when
you are picking up the cue ball the first time to take ball in hand (as
opposed to placing the cue ball or picking it up again for successive
placements before the next shot), the provisions of Rule 1.33.1 apply to
touching or disturbing a single object ball with the cue ball or your
hand. You may request that a referee pick the cue ball up for you
immediately after a foul.
4. When placing the cue ball, it
is a foul to touch any object ball with the cue ball or your hand which
holds the cue ball. "Hand" is defined as including the wrist up to a point
where a wristwatch would normally be worn. If the foul involves only a
single object ball your opponent has the option of restoration as
described in Rule 1.33. If more than one object ball is involved, there is
no restoration option.
1.39 Illegal Marking
It is a foul if you intentionally
mark the table in any way to assist you in executing any shot or future
shot. Marking includes the deliberate placement of chalk or any other
object at a specific point on a rail or cushion to aid the alignment of a
shot, or placing any mark on any part of the table. The foul occurs
at the moment you attempt to mark the table, regardless of whether you
remove the mark, or whether a shot is taken.
In addition to any penalty
required by specific game rules, an unsportsmanlike conduct warning must
be issued; a second violation results in loss of game; a third violation
results in loss of match.
1.40 Deliberate Foul
It is a deliberate foul if you:
a. intentionally strike the
cue ball with anything other than your cue tip;
b. pick up the cue ball or
contact the cue ball with your hand in order to end your inning;
c. intentionally stop or
deflect any ball that is in motion;
d. catch any ball that is
falling into a pocket;
e. place your hand into a
pocket while any ball is in motion near or toward that pocket;
f. cause a ball to move by
contacting or moving any part of the table in any way.
In addition to any penalty
required by specific game rules, the mandatory penalty for a deliberate
foul is an unsportsmanlike conduct warning. A second violation results in
loss of game; a third violation results in loss of match.
Unless otherwise stated in specific game rules, if
you violate (c) your opponent may have the ball either spotted or
pocketed. If you violate (d) your opponent may have the ball spotted,
placed on the lip of the pocket, or pocketed. The remaining balls are left
in position.
1.41 Coaching
1. During your match, it is a
foul if you ask for or intentionally receive assistance in planning or
executing any shot. A mandatory unsportsmanlike conduct warning will be
issued. A second violation results in loss of game; a third violation
results in loss of match.
2. Any person except your
opponent who offers any significant assistance to you, whether verbal or
non-verbal, will be removed from the area.
3. The Administrative Authority
of the event may modify this rule for team or doubles play. (AR)
1.42 Non-Shooting Player
Requirement
When it is not your turn, you
must not intentionally do anything which distracts your opponent or
interferes with their play. Any such act is unsportsmanlike conduct. (AR)
1.43 Concession of Game
1. You must not concede any game
at any time for any reason. “Concede” means that as a result of any verbal
or non-verbal action, you lead your opponent to believe that you are
awarding them the game before its normal conclusion on the table. Before a
game has ended, you must refrain from making any statements such as “good
game”, etc., or any other verbal inference that the game is over. You must
also refrain from any non-verbal action, such as putting away your cue or
accessory items, beginning to mark a score sheet, changing clothes,
juggling tokens, etc., that infers the game is over. Whether or not you
have conceded a game is determined solely by the referee’s judgment.
2. If you concede a game you will
receive an unsportsmanlike conduct warning. A second violation results
in a deduction of one game from your score (if you have zero games, your
score would be "minus one game"); a third violation results in loss of
match. In team play, the second or third violations may be committed by
any member of the team.
3. In the absence of any act that
may be considered a concession under Rule 1.43.1, you must not assume that
your opponent has conceded the game. If you do, you lose that game.
(AR)
1.44 Concession of Match
When your opponent is on the
hill, if you make a motion to unscrew your playing cue stick during your
opponent's inning you lose the match. (AR)
1.45 Unsportsmanlike Conduct (AR)
1. You must not commit any act
which is unsportsmanlike in nature. This includes, but is not limited to,
actions which are embarrassing, disruptive, or detrimental to other
players, spectators, event officials, or the sport in general.
2. Players are responsible for
their actions at all times while they are present at the event venue,
whether playing or not.
3. Unsportsmanlike conduct is
penalized at the discretion of the referee or other designated event
officials. Penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct vary and are based upon
the referee’s or event official’s judgment of the severity and nature of
the unsportsmanlike act. Referees or event officials have the authority to
penalize or disqualify, with or without warning, any player who acts in
this manner.
4. Unsportsmanlike conduct
warnings and penalties required by rule carry forward only in regard to
the specific rule violated. Unsportsmanlike conduct warnings and penalties
related to conduct or behavior carry forward and are cumulative during the
entire event. (AR)
5. Disqualification from any
BCAPL event for unsportsmanlike conduct includes forfeiture of any prize
money, trophy, or award won by that
player or team. In addition, any
championship recognition will be deleted from the official records for
that event.
1.46 Spotting Balls (see Diagram
9)
1. Balls to be spotted are placed
on the long string with the number facing up. A single ball is placed on
the foot spot. If more than one ball is to be spotted, they are placed on
the long string in ascending numerical order, beginning on the foot spot
and moving toward the foot of the table.
2. If other balls interfere with
spotting, the ball(s) will be spotted on the long string below the foot
spot but as close as possible to the foot spot without moving the
interfering balls. If there is no space available on the long string below
the foot spot, the ball(s) will be spotted on the long string beginning at
the foot spot and moving toward the head of the table.
3. Whenever possible, spotted
balls will be placed frozen to interfering object balls or other spotted
balls. If the cue ball is the interfering ball, the spotted ball will be
placed as closely as possible to the cue ball without being frozen to it.
(AR)
1.47 Jawed Balls
If balls are wedged between the
sides of a pocket or between cushions and any of those balls are suspended
in the air, the referee will inspect the balls and judge whether, if they
were free to fall directly downward, the balls would come to rest on the
bed of the table or in the pocket. The referee will then place the balls
in the positions as judged and play will continue.
1.48 Non-Player Interference
If balls are moved because of the
action of a non-player or other influence beyond the control of the
players, a referee will restore the balls as nearly as possible to their
original positions and play continues. If the referee judges that the
balls cannot be restored, the game will be replayed with the player who
broke the game breaking again.
1.49 Balls Settling or Moving
1. If a ball settles or otherwise
moves by itself, it will be left in the
position it assumed and play
continues.
2. If a ball that is frozen to
the cue ball moves as the cue ball leaves the area on a shot, whether or
not it was moved by the cue ball or settled on its own is determined
solely by the referee's judgment.
3. If a ball is hanging on the
lip of a pocket and falls into that pocket by itself after the shooter has
left the table to end their inning or after being stationary for five
seconds or longer, it will be replaced as closely as possible to the
position it was in prior to falling.
4. If a hanging ball drops into a
pocket by itself as you are shooting, the ruling depends on the ensuing
action of the balls:
a. if no ball passes through
the region previously occupied by the hanging ball, it is restored and
play continues;
b. if the cue ball, before
contacting another ball, passes through the region previously occupied
by the hanging ball and, without contacting any other balls, either
scratches or remains on the table, both the cue ball and the object
ball are restored to their prior positions and you shoot again; (AR)
c. if the shot is otherwise
legal and any ball passes through the region previously occupied by
the hanging ball, including the cue ball with or without scratching,
and any other balls are contacted by such a ball at any point during
the shot, a referee will attempt to restore the position prior to the
shot and you shoot again. If restoration is not possible, the game
will be replayed with the player who broke the game breaking again;
(AR)
d. if the shot is illegal
because the cue ball first contacts an illegal object ball before it
or any other ball passes through the region previously occupied by the
hanging ball, it is a foul. The incoming player is awarded
penalties in accordance with the General Rules and specific game rules
and accepts the object balls in position. If the hanging
ball was designated by specific game rules as the game winning ball it
must be restored, otherwise it is not restored.
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