Rules

All games played within the Ipswich Independent Pool League are subject to World Eight Ball Federations Rules. The full text version of these rules can be found at the English Pool Association website (Rules Page).

For the 1999/2000 season certain of the rules have been waived as follows:-
Rule I
Rule K Sect 9
Rule K Sect 10
Rule K Sect 11
Rule K Sect 13
Rule L Sect 2

Below is a summarised version of the rules for quick reference purposes only and in attempting to resolve any dispute or adjudicate for any issue, reference to the full text is recommended.

The letters and numbers in brackets refer to paragraphs in the full text of rules.

Racking
Same as previous EPA rules but with two balls of back row swapped

Black Ball Spot - Same as previous

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Breaking
Centre of Cue Ball BEHIND the baulk line (E2a)

Tip of the cue touches = shot played (E2b)

At least 4 object balls must hit cushion or at least one colour potted (F4a)

White in-off, one visit awarded (F4c)

8-Ball potted - re rack, same player breaks (F5)

Coloured ball/balls potted - MUST nominate (H2)

Legal Shot
Cause the cue ball to hit an object ball, then pot or drive any ball to hit a cushion (G1)

NB:- Exception ‘Total Snooker’ (Q) Must be confirmed by ref.

NB:- Balls Touching Cushions…(G4)

Player ‘in Control’ from when balls stop rolling after final shot of opponents turn.

Deciding Colours (if after the Break)
First legal ball potted, or if one or more of both colours - MUST nominate (H3)

Time Allowed (NOT implemented this season)
60 seconds/shot, 30 seconds reminder, player may request Time Out (I1-5).

Although not implemented this season, if a player is taking an exceptionally long time, a referee should urge him to hurry up.

Fouls (four types)
Standard, Non-Standard, Serious, Loss of Frame

It is not considered unsporting to commit certain standard fouls deliberately eg playing/potting an opponents ball or making no attempt to hit your ball. Penalty is two visits to the opponent, but sometimes this is the only way to clear a pocket (a free table is never allowed).

Standard Fouls
Penalty Two Visits, but you NEVER get a Free Table.

Free Ball (like in Snooker) if ‘Foul Snookered’ or ‘Foul Jaw Snookered’ (R & S) ie cannot see both sides of any one of own balls (P1).

Player may ask ref for ruling on whether foul snooker exists or not (R2).

MUST nominate if free ball to be chosen (R4a).

May choose to play from Baulk but must ask ref to recover cue ball (E2d)

NB cannot be snookered by own ball or cushion (P2).

New Fouls
Cigarettes/Drinks (K9)

Touching the table (K10)

Not moving away within 10 seconds (K11)

Coaching (K12) NB ‘First and Final Warning’

Leaving the area without permission (K13)

Redefined
Push shots/double hits/touching balls

Push shots generally OK if played with speed (Q1).

Double hit a foul if it can be seen clearly by ref (Q1a)

Touching Ball - MUST play away (T1), but if touching more than one, may play away from one of own group into any other (T2d).

Balls Off Table OK if it returns without contacting any person or object not part of table Balls remaining off the table are re-spotted in the order (U2d):-

Black

Reds

Yellows

re-spotting on the black spot or as close as possible in a straight line between the spot and the centre of the cushion furthest from the baulk line (U2d).As close as possible without touching!

Non-Standard Fouls (L)
Failure to perform a fair break - re-rack, two visits

Cue ball ‘in-off’ on a fair break - one visit

Failure to play within 60 seconds - two visits, may choose to play from baulk

Opponents ball falling without being hit - one visit

Balls Falling Without Being Hit
If own ball, continue with visit (V1a), but still obligation to play legal shot!

If opponents, non-standard foul, loss of turn - one visit (V1b).

If Black, replaced together with any other balls moved at same time, no penalty!

Balls placed as close as possible to original positions.

Serious Fouls - Penalty- two visits, balls replaced (M)
Playing out of turn.

Deliberately striking a ball other than the cue ball.

Deliberately causing balls to be moved in a way other than might be expected from a normal shot.

Deliberately striking the cue ball with other than the tip of the cue.

Deliberate jump shots - defined as jumping over part of a ball which would have been hit if the ball hadn’t jumped.

Deliberately interfering by word or action so as to disrupt an opponents play.

Loss of Frame Fouls (N)
Fouling in same shot as potting Black

Potting Black early

Two serious fouls

Serious foul that disrupts balls to much for ref to be able to replace

Deliberate attempt to prevent opponent potting black by serious foul or unsporting move

If a player breeches the spirit of the game to such extent that frame/match should be awarded to opponent

Interference (W)
Balls moved outside players controlled - replace balls, no penalty

Marking table (eg Chalk) - Ref will ensure removal, ultimately may award frame away.

Impossible Shot (X)
Must play it anyway, ie NOT a re-rack

Stalemate (Y)
Three consecutive shots each, cue not contacting an object ball.

Re-rack, same player breaks.