The game is known as Cannonball Pool. It is expected
that players will always play the game in the true spirit and in a sporting
manner. The referee will take whatever action is necessary to ensure that the
spirit and rules of the game are observed.
The game of Eight-Ball Pool is played with:-
- A "Cue Ball" - being a white ball.
- Fifteen "Object balls" - consisting of:-
- "Colours" - being a group of seven red balls
(or balls numbered 1-7) and a group of seven yellow balls (or balls
numbered 9-15).
- The "Eight-Ball" - being a black ball marked
with a number "8".
- A six pocket rectangular Pool Table with general
characteristics as follows:
- The cloth will be marked with a "Spot" at the
position where a straight line drawn diagonally from the centre of a
side pocket to the centre of a corner pocket would intersect with a
straight line drawn from the centre of the opposite side pocket to the
centre of the other corner pocket.
- The cloth will be marked with a "Baulk Line"
being a straight line drawn from cushion to cushion, parallel to, and
one fifth of the length of the table from, the face of the cushion that
lies the greatest distance from the spot.
- Shot: A "Shot" begins when all balls stop moving
from the previous shot. A player "Plays a Shot" by striking the
Cue Ball with the tip of the cue. A "Shot" ends when all balls
stop moving from the current shot.
- Play: To "Play" and Object Ball is to play a shot
that results in the Cue Ball's first contact with another ball to be with
that Object Ball. To "Play" the cue ball is to strike it with the
tip of the cue.
- Object Ball: At any time during a frame, the first ball
contacted by the white is deemed the object ball.
- The first player to pot a legal ball is deemed to be
"On" the same colour as the potted ball unless:
a. he pots a ball (except the
black) from the break
or b. he pots at least one ball from each set of colours
on the first potting shot after the break
and in either of these cases he may choose which colours he is
"on". When a choice is available he must nominate his colour prior
to his next shot or a fowl is committed when he takes his next shot.
- Pot: A ball is "Potted" when it leaves the bed of
the table, enters a pocket and remains in that pocket.
- A "free table" applies when a foul is committed
and the incoming player is free to play any object ball on the table. He may
also pot any ball or balls on the table (except the black in the case where
rule M2 applies).
- Visit: A "Visit" comprises one shot or a series
of shots. Each visit lasts until the player fails to pot a ball with a legal
shot. (Or until a foul is committed or the frame ends).
- Turn: A players "Turn" at the table comprises one
visit or, after a foul committed by the opponent, by two shots if the first
shot (provided an object ball is contacted) does not result in a ball being
potted, when only one visit applies.
- Frame: A "Frame" is one game of Eight-Ball Pool
between two players or two pairs of players. A frame is played from the
opening break and usually through until the Eight-Ball is potted. (Note:
there are other ways that a frame may end - see loss of frame).
- Match: A "Match" is a predetermined number of
frames of Eight-Ball Pool between two players, two pairs of players or two
teams of players.
- Player in Control: A player (and the player's partner in
doubles) is deemed to be "In Control" of the frame from the time
that the balls stop moving from the final shot of an opponent's turn until
the balls stop moving from the final shot of the player's turn. There can be
no instance, once a frame has commenced, that someone is not in control.
- The object of the game is to win by being the first player
to Pot a group of colours in any order and in any pocket and legally Pot the
Eight-Ball in any pocket on his final shot.
- When "On" a group of colours, potting more than
one ball of that Colour in the same shot is allowed.
The various combination shots allowed in cannonball also mean that if at
least one of your own balls is potted on a shot, then any number of
opponents colour balls may also be potted on that shot. (see combinations)
The black ball may be potted on the same shot as his final colour.
- Various combination shots are allowed in Cannonball which
would be deemed foul shots in standard 8-ball pool. These combination shots
are detailed below.
- "Baulk" is the rectangular area of the table that
is bordered by the Baulk Line and the three cushions at that end of the
table.
- When playing from Baulk:-
- The centre point of the Cue Ball must be in Baulk when
a shot is played. If the centre of the Cue Ball is directly on the Baulk
Line it is not deemed to be in Baulk.
- The Cue Ball can be moved into position by hand or with
the shaft of the cue, but when touched by the tip of the cue, a shot is
deemed to have been played.
- The Cue Ball may be played in any direction.
- A player must play from Baulk in the following 3 cases:
i. after an "In Off"
ii. after a foul shot where the white goes off the table
iii. on the break off shot
- A player MAY move the white and play from anywhere in
the Baulk only in the situation where he is Foul Jaw Snookered and
cannot see either side of ANY ball on the table.
In each of these cases the referee will recover
the Cue Ball and hand it to the incoming player or place it on top of,
and in the centre of, the cushion at the Baulk end of the table for the
player to retrieve by hand.
- The object balls are racked with the Eight-Ball on the
Spot.
- In the absence of any competition / tournament rules to the
contrary, a coin will be tossed to determine which player will break. If a
series of frames is to be played (A Match), the break of each subsequent
frame will alternate.
- The first shot of a frame is called the "Break".
To "Break". the Cue Ball is played at the triangle of Object Balls
from Baulk. The frame is deemed to have commenced the instant that the Cue
Ball is played.
-
- The Break will be deemed a "Fair Break" if:-
- At least one Colour is potted.
and/or
- Four Object Balls (at least) are driven to a
cushion.
- If the Break is not a Fair Break it is a Foul and:-
- The opponent is awarded two visits, but two shots
do not carry if a ball is potted on the first shot.
- The balls are not re-racked.
- If the cue ball is potted (or goes 'off' the table) on
either a fair or unfair break a normal foul applies and turn passes to
the opponent without the balls being re-racked.
- If the Eight-Ball is potted on any break, the balls are
re-racked and the same player will break again. When the Eight-Ball is
potted on the break, all other aspects of the shot are ignored. (Except if a
Serious Foul or breech of the "Spirit of the Game" occurs).
- On all shots, the player must attempt to hit an object
ball.
- A legal shot is achieved if
a. the white ball makes an
initial contact with one of that players own colours
or b. if he makes contact with an opponents ball
first but one of his own balls is subsequently potted on that shot.
- Failure to play a Legal Shot is a Foul.
- General
- When Colours have not been decided the table is deemed
to be "Open". When the table is open a player may play at
either group of Colours.
- Colours can never be decided on a foul shot.
- Once Colours are decided, the player remains
"On" that coloured group for the duration of the frame. The
opponent remains "On" the opposite coloured group.
- Playing a shot after neglecting to nominate a choice of
Colours is a Foul. Any balls potted on such a shot are left in the
pocket and ignored for the purpose of deciding Colours.
- On the Break
- If no Colours are potted on the break the table is
"Open".
- If more than one Colour is potted on the break the
player then has a right and obligation to verbally advise the referee of
a choice of Colour before proceeding. Failure to do so is a Standard
Foul. If a player is fouled under this rule the opponent faces an
"Open" table.
- If one or more balls from only one colour are potted on
the break, a player will be deemed to be on that colour unless he
nominates the other colour prior to his next shot.
The choice of colour by either method is assumed from when the choice is
made and the player is then on that colour no matter what happens on the
next shot.
- After the Break
- If a player pots one or more balls of the same Colour,
the player is then "On" that Colour.
- If a player pots one or more balls of different
Colours, the player then has a right and obligation to verbally advise
the referee of a choice of Colour before proceeding. Failure to do so is
a Standard Foul. If a player is fouled under this rule, the opponent
faces an "Open" table.
- A player has a maximum of sixty seconds to play each shot.
- The Referee will start timing when all balls have come to
rest from the previous shot.
- If the first thirty seconds elapses before a shot is
played, the referee will call "Thirty Seconds Remaining" as a
warning to the player. This call must be made the instant the thirty seconds
has expired. A Referee should not postpone the call because it appears that
the player is about to play a shot.
- If a shot is not played within sixty seconds it is a Foul.
The oncoming player is awarded two visits, except if a ball is potted on the
first shot, and he must take his shot from where the Cue Ball lies.
- Only in the exceptional circumstance of the player making
obviously no attempt to strike an object ball will the opponent have the
option of playing the next shot from baulk.
- The referee may decide to grant "Time Out". being
a period when timing ceases:-
- At the request of a player. (For example,
something is obstructing the player or the player needs to leave the
playing area.) AND/OR
- Because the referee deems that it is warranted. (For
example, the referee may call time out when making a close foul snooker
decision or when searching for a piece of equipment requested by a
player.)
There are three types of foul. Standard Fouls, Serious
Fouls and Loss of Frame Fouls. A player can only be penalised for one at a time.
If two or more fouls are committed during a shot, the foul that carries the most
severe penalty will apply.
Standard fouls are to be called by the referee as soon
as they occur and the fouled player immediately loses control of the table. The
referee then wards two visits to the opponent, which reverts to one visit if a
ball is potted on the first shot (two shots 'do not carry'). The player is
awarded a 'free table' on the first shot.
Each of the following situations constitutes a Standard
Foul
- Potting the Cue Ball - "In Off". The
oncoming player plays from Baulk.
- Playing from outside Baulk when obliged to play from Baulk.
The next TWO rules form the central
idea behind Cannonball:
- Potting an opponent's ball constitutes a foul except
if
a. the first ball contacted on the shot is one of his OWN colour balls.
b. at least one of his own balls is ALSO potted on
the same shot.
or
c. it is potted immediately following a Foul.
- Playing the white first onto an opponents ball constitutes
a foul, except if
a. at least one of his own colour balls is
subsequently potted on the shot
or
b. it is played immediately following a
Foul.
these two rules appear complicated to understand
you may wish refer to the combination
shots which are allowed in Cannonball, which are shown
on our summary home page.
(Basically, you can:
1. you can pot an opponents ball (except black in situation M2)
as long as the first ball you contacted was one of your own colours.
or
2. make initial contact with an opponents ball as long as one of your own
balls is subsequently potted on the shot
3. Multiple combinations of these two are allowed in the same shot as long
as either 1 or 2 applies at some point.
The black ball is considered an opponents ball (except when all of his own
colour balls have been potted) when making combination shots, and rule
M2 applies at all times.
- Failing to cause the Cue Ball's initial contact with an
object ball.
- Accidentally striking the Cue Ball with any part of the cue
other than the tip.
- Accidentally striking an Object Ball with any part of the
cue.
- An opponent's ball falling without being hit while the
player is in control.
- Playing a shot before all balls have come to rest from the
previous shot.
- Playing a shot before any balls that require spotting, have
been spotted.
-
- Touching the table while having a cigarette (lit or
unlit) in hand or mouth.
- Causing a cigarette (lit or unlit) to touch the table
or enter the space directly above the table.
- Touching the table while having a beverage container in
hand.
- Causing a beverage container or beverage to touch the
table or enter the space directly above the table.
- Touching the table when not in control of the frame.
Exception - When a player's turn is finished, that player has a maximum of
10 seconds to move away from the table. (see 11 below)
- Not moving away from the table within 10 seconds of the
time that all balls stopped moving from the final shot of a turn at the
table.
- Failure to play a shot within 60 seconds of the time that
the balls came to rest from the previous shot.
- Coaching:- During a frame, a player is required to play
without receiving any advice from other persons relating to the playing of
the frame. Should a team member or bona-fide supporter of a player offer
advice, the referee will issue a "First and Final Warning" to that
person that a repetition will result in the player being penalised via a
Standard Foul. Because it may not always be possible for the Referee to hear
if a statement made to a player is advice, the referee may issue the First
and Final Warning on the grounds that any statement made to a player, other
than general barracking, is deemed to be coaching. In a tournament setting,
a First and Final warning may be given once only, before the commencement of
the day's play as a block warning to all players and spectators.
- Leaving the playing area without permission. If a player
needs to leave the playing area during a frame or match, "Time
Out" must firstly be granted by the referee.
- Playing a shot after neglecting to nominate a choice of
Colour when the obligation and right to do so existed.
- Playing a push shot or Double Hit of a type defined in (N)
Push Shots and Double Hits.
- Failing to perform a "Legal Shot".
- Failure to perform a 'Fair Break'.
- Playing a shot while not having at least one foot touching
the floor.
- Failing to "Play Away" from a touching ball.
- A ball remaining off the table.
- Players body or clothing touching any ball
Serious Fouls are to be called by the referee as soon
as they occur and the fouled player immediately loses control of the table. The
referee will replace the balls as near as possible to the positions they were in
before the Serious Foul was committed and award two visits to the opponent,
which reverts to one shot if a ball is potted on the first shot.
A 'free table' is also awarded to the incoming player on the first shot.
- Playing a shot out of turn (accidentally or deliberately).
A player who plays a shot at any time during a frame when the right to do so
does not exist has played out of turn. (For example, A player who
plays a shot immediately after playing a foul or immediately after the
referee has called a foul on that player, has played out of turn.)
- Deliberately striking a ball other than the Cue Ball with
the tip of the cue.
- Deliberately causing any ball or balls to be moved in a
manner other than that which may result from playing a normal shot.
- Deliberately striking the Cue Ball with other than the tip
of the cue.
- Causing the Cue Ball to jump over any ball. (If the Cue
Ball leaves the bed of the table and misses an Object Ball that would have
been struck had the Cue Ball not left the table on an otherwise identical
shot, the Cue Ball is deemed to have jumped over that Object Ball.)
- Deliberately interfering, by word or action, so as to
disrupt an opponents play.
- Committing a foul in the same shot that the Eight Ball is
potted. (Except on the Break).
- Potting the Eight Ball when a ball or balls of
the player's own Colour are still on the table at the end of the shot
(except on the Break).
- Causing the black to go off the table on any shot.
- Committing two Serious Fouls in the one frame.
- Committing a Serious Foul that disrupts the balls to such
an extent that the referee deems it impossible to replace them as close as
possible to their original positions. (Exception - a shot played out of turn
accidentally. In this case the Referee will give the opponent the choice of
either playing the balls from where they lie or replaying the frame. If the
frame is replayed, the same player is to break again.)
- Any deliberate attempt to prevent the opponent from potting
the Eight Ball, when the opponent is on the Eight Ball, by way of a Serious
Foul or other unsporting manoeuvre.
- If a player breeches the "Spirit of the Game" to
such an extent that the frame (or match) should be awarded to the opponent.
- Definitions: Most shots commonly known as "Push
Shots" in the game of "Snooker" are allowed in the game of
Eight-Ball Pool. Generally, any shot played with speed will not be deemed to
be a Push Shot regardless of the fact that the cue tip may have come into
contact with the Cue Ball more than once.
- Exceptions that are Standard Fouls:-
- When, during the playing of a shot, the tip of the cue
strikes the Cue Ball twice and the referee is able to actually see each
contact.
- When, during the playing of a shot, a player plays the
cue so slowly through the Cue Ball that the cue tip remains in contact
with the Cue Ball so as to be visibly pushing it along.
- When the Cue Ball is played into a touching Object
Ball.
- Definition: A player is Snookered when it is impossible to
play the finest cut possible on both sides of any of that player's own
Colour by way of a "straight-line" shot. Snookering an opponent is
not a foul.
Definition: A player is in a Total Snooker when it is impossible to play any
part of any of the player's own Colour by way of a "straight line"
shot. Leaving an opponent in a Total Snooker is not a foul.
- Definition: When an opponent plays a foul shot and this
results in the incoming player being either snookered or total snookered,
the incoming player is deemed to be Foul Snookered.
In this instance, the incoming player merely receives his award of two shots
(not to be carried) and he must play the white from where it lands. A 'free
table' is deemed to apply on his first shot.
If an opponent fouls and the Cue Ball come to rest on
or near a Jaw (curved part of a cushion), and that jaw is preventing the player
from playing the finest cut possible on either side of ANY ball, the player is
deemed to be Foul Jaw Snookered and he may move the white ball to anywhere in
the baulk. The normal foul rules will then apply with the player receiving two
shots (not to carry if first shot results in a pot) and he is awarded a
'free table'.
- General
- If the Cue Ball is touching an Object Ball, the player
is obliged to "Play Away" from that Object Ball at an angle of
not more than 90 degrees. (That is, play the shot without causing the
Cue Ball to make any initial further contact with that Object Ball)
- If, when playing away from a touching ball, the
touching ball rocks or moves without being contacted further, but simply
because the Cue Ball is no longer there, no penalty will apply.
- When Colours have been decided:-
- Playing away from a touching Object Ball of the
player's own Colour:-
The instant a player plays away from a touching Object Ball of the
player's own Colour, the player is deemed to have played that ball.
- Playing away from a touching Object Ball of the
opponent's Colour The player must play away from the touching ball and
then meet all the requirements of a Legal Shot.
- Playing away from two or more touching Object Balls:-
- If any of the touching Object Balls are of the
player's Colour, the player will be deemed to have played away if
the player plays away from any one of the touching balls of the
player's Colour. That is, the player may play into any of the other
touching balls.
- If none of the touching Object Balls are of the
players coloured group, the player must play away from all the
touching balls and then meet all the requirements of a Legal Shot.
- When Colours have yet to be decided:-
- Playing away from a touching Coloured Ball:- The
instant a player plays away from a touching Object Ball the player is
deemed to have played that ball.
- Playing away from a touching Eight Ball:- The player
must play away from the touching Eight Ball and then meet all the
requirements of a Legal Shot.
- Playing away from two or more touching Object Balls:-
If the player plays away from any of the touching Coloured Balls the
player is deemed to have played that ball. That is, the player may play
into any of the other touching Object Balls.
- It is Standard Foul if a ball leaves the playing surface
(other than being potted) and remains off the playing surface or doesn't
return by its own means.
- Definitions / Examples
- "Playing Surface":- The playing surface of
the table is the flat part of the table between the cushions.
- "By its own means":-
- It is not a foul if a ball leaves the playing
surface, runs along the top of a cushion, drops back on to the
playing surface and comes to rest there or falls into a pocket.
- It is a Standard Foul if a ball leaves the playing
surface, comes into contact with a person or object that is not a
part of the table and then returns to the playing surface.
- "Off the Table":- It is a Standard Foul if a
ball leaves the playing surface and comes to rest on other than the
playing surface. (e.g. On the floor or on the top of a cushion)
- If a ball leaves the playing surface and remains off the
playing surface, it will be deemed to have been potted but a Standard foul
will apply.
- If it is a Cue Ball it is to be played from Baulk.
- If it is an Object Ball (or Balls) it is considered
potted and is placed in a pocket.
- If it is the black a Loss of Frame Foul is committed.
- The Player in Control {see (C)
Definitions (9)} is responsible for any stationary ball that
subsequently falls into a pocket without being hit by another ball.
- If one of the player's own Colour falls the player is
deemed to have potted that ball and the player in control continues with
that visit.
- If one of the opponent's Colour falls into a pocket
without being hit, while a player is in control, it is a Non-Standard
Foul this will result in end of visit.
- If the cue ball falls at any time without being hit, it
is replaced as near as possible to its original position. If any other
balls are moved in these circumstances they shall also be replaced as
near as possible to their original positions and the player in control
continues with that visit.
- If the eight ball falls at any time without being hit,
the player in control of the table is deemed to have potted it and this
will result in a Loss of Frame Foul unless that player was on the black
and in which case he wins the game.
- If any balls are moved during a frame:-
- By a person other than the players taking part in the
frame or,
- As a direct result of one of the players being bumped
or,
- Due to any other event deemed outside the players'
control such as:-
- "An Act of God" such as an earthquake etc
- Tip falling off a cue or end falling off a spider
etc,
The referee will replace the balls as near as possible to
the positions they were in before the incident occurred, no penalty
shall be imposed on either of the players and the frame shall continue.
-
- The referee will prevent any unauthorised marking of
the table. If a player causes a block of billiard chalk or other foreign
matter to be on any part of the table it is not a foul. However, the
referee will ensure that the item is removed.
- If a player repeatedly causes a block of billiard chalk
or other foreign matter to be on any part of the table the referee may
deem that the player has breached the Spirit of the Game and award the
frame to the opponent.
- Exception to (a) above:- A cigarette or beverage
container.
A situation may arise during a frame where it is
impossible for a player to play a shot without fouling (although we can't
think of one). In such a situation the player has no other option but to
commit a foul.
The referee shall declare a Stalemate if both the
player and the opponent have three turns in succession where the Cue Ball fails
to make contact with an Object Ball. In such a case, the frame will be replayed
with the same player breaking.
The Referee's Duties and Guidelines listed below
supplement those directions contained in various other sections of these rules.
- The Referee's decision is final except where players have
been advised that it is possible to appeal to a Head Referee or other higher
authority.
- Information to be disclosed / not disclosed by a referee:-
- A player is responsible for knowing the rules of the
game. It is not the referee's duty to explain or quote the rules to a
player.
- A referee, if asked by a player, may divulge certain
information pertaining to the frame in question under the guidelines of
the "Past, Present and Future Rule". A referee may divulge
information relating to any past event or present situation in the
frame. For example:- "Who's turn is it?" - Present. "Was
that a foul?" - Past. Which Colour am I On?" - Present.
However, "If I play this shot will it be a foul?" is a
question regarding the Future and the referee should advise the player
that the referee cannot answer this type of question.
- The referee shall toss a coin to determine the break and
announce the result.
- If an Object Ball (or balls) is potted on the break the
referee will advise both players of this fact by announcing "Ball (or
balls) potted". When a player has a right and an obligation to nominate
a choice of Colour, and does so, the referee will announce "Player 'A'
On Red (or Yellow) Balls". When that player's turn is complete the
referee w ill advise the incoming player of the situation by announcing
"Player 'B' on Yellow (or Red ) Balls".
-
- The Referee will call fouls as soon as they occur and
the fouled player immediately loses control of the table.
- The call for a Standard Foul is "Foul, Two
Shots not carried, free table".
- The call for a Serious Foul is "Serious Foul,
Two Shots not carried, free table".
- The call for a loss of Frame Foul is "Loss of
Frame".
- After a player has been awarded two visits the referee
will make no call unless a player fails to pot any ball on his first
visit and the referee will then call "Second Visit" to advise
the player that the first visit is complete and the second visit is
about to begin. If a player does pot a ball on his first shot then he is
considered to be playing a normal visit to the table and his visit will
then finish once he fails to pot a further legal ball.
- The referee will call any instance when the Cue Ball is
touching an object ball.
- In the absence of any competition / tournament rules to the
contrary, two referees will referee each frame. One referee will make the
standard calls such as "Second Visit" and a "Player a on Red
(or Yellow) Balls" while the other referee will keep the time. Both
referee's will be involved in the refereeing of the frame and either can
call fouls. If one referee calls afoul, the other referee can not overrule
the call. That is, the two referees have equal authority.
© Copyright World Cannon Ball Pool Association 2000 - all
rights reserved.
No reproduction of the these rules is permitted without the express permission
of the WCBPA, the Governing Body of Cannon Ball Pool.
Official Cannon Ball Pool tournaments are sanctioned by the WCBPA.
