8 Ball Billiard
BCA Rules
“The game of
golf would lose a great deal if croquet mallets and
billiard cues were allowed on the putting green.” -Ernest Hemmingway, 1899-1961
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the
Billiard Congress of America. Any modification or
sale of the information herein is strictly prohibited
by the laws governing that copyright. Please direct
questions regarding interpretation of the following,
or information on how to receive the current BCA
Billiards - The Official Rules and Records Book to the
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D, Colorado Springs, CO. 80918.
"Effective January 1,
2006"
Except when clearly
contradicted by these additional rules, the
General Rules of Pocket Billiards apply.
4.1 OBJECT OF THE GAME [ top ]
Eight-Ball is a call shot game played with a cue ball
and 15 object balls, numbered 1 through 15. One player
must pocket balls of the group numbered 1 through 7
(solid colors), while the other player has 9 through 15
(stripes). The player pocketing either group first, and
then legally pocketing the 8-ball wins the game.
4.2 CALL SHOT[ top ]
In Call Shot, obvious balls and pockets do not have to
be indicated. It is the opponent’s right to ask which
ball and pocket if he is unsure of the shot. Bank shots
and combination shots are not considered obvious, and
care should be taken in calling both the object ball and
the intended pocket. When calling the shot, it is never
necessary to indicate details such as the number of
cushions, banks, kisses, caroms, etc. Any balls pocketed
on a foul remain pocketed, regardless of whether they
belong to the shooter or the opponent. The opening break
is not a “called shot.” Any player performing a break
shot in 8-Ball may continue to shoot so long as any
object ball is legally pocketed on the break.
4.3 RACKING THE BALLS [ top ]
The balls are racked in a triangle at the foot of the
table with the 8-ball in the center of the triangle, the
first ball of the rack on the foot spot, a stripe ball
in one corner of the rack and a solid ball in the other
corner.
4.4
ORDER OF BREAK [ top ]
Winner of the lag has the option to break. The winner of
each game breaks in the next. The following are common
options that may be designated by tournament officials
in advance:
(a)
Players alternate break.
(b) Loser breaks.
(c) Player trailing in game count
breaks the next game.
4.5 LEGAL BREAK SHOT [ top ]
(Defined) To execute a legal break, the breaker (with
the cue ball behind the head string) must either (1)
pocket a ball, or (2) drive at least four numbered balls
to the rail. When the breaker fails to make a legal
break, it is a foul, and the incoming player has the
option of (1) accepting the table in position and
shooting, or (2) having the balls re-racked and having
the option of shooting the opening break or allowing the
offending player to re-break.
4.6 SCRATCH ON A LEGAL
BREAK [ top ]
If a player scratches on a legal break shot, (1) all
balls pocketed remain pocketed (exception, the 8-ball:
see rule 4.8), (2) it is a foul, (3) the table is open.
Please Note: The incoming player has cue ball in hand
behind the head string and may not shoot an object ball
that is behind the head string, unless he first shoots
the cue ball past the head string and causes the cue
ball to come back behind the head string and hit the
object ball.
4.7 OBJECT BALLS JUMPED
OFF TABLE ON THE BREAK [ top ]
If a player jumps an object ball off the table on the
break shot, it is a foul and the incoming player has the
option of (1) accepting the table in position and
shooting, or (2) taking cue ball in hand behind the head
string and shooting.
4.8 8-BALL POCKETED ON
THE BREAK [ top ]
If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break, breaker may ask
for a re-rack or have the 8-ball spotted and continue
shooting. If the breaker scratches while pocketing the
8-ball on the break, the incoming player has the option
of a re-rack or having the 8-ball spotted and begin
shooting with ball in hand behind the head string.
4.9 OPEN TABLE [ top ]
(Defined) 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. Note: The table is always
open immediately after the break shot. When the table
is open, it is legal to hit any solid or stripe first in
the process of pocketing the called stripe or solid.
However, when the table is open and the 8-ball is the
first ball contacted, it is a foul and no stripe or
solid may be scored in favor of the shooter. The
shooter loses his turn; the incoming player is awarded
cue ball in hand; any balls pocketed remain pocketed;
and the incoming player addresses the balls with the
table still open. On an open table, all illegally
pocketed balls remain pocketed.
4.10 CHOICE OF GROUP [ top ]
The choice of stripes or solids is not determined on the
break even if balls are made from only one or both
groups, because the table is always open immediately
after the break shot. The choice of group is determined
only when a player legally pockets a called object ball
after the break shot.
If the groups have been determined and the player
mistakenly shoots at and pockets a ball of the group,
the opponent must call a foul on him before he takes his
next shot. If he fails to do so, the player
automatically takes over the group of balls (solids or
stripes) at which he has been shooting during this
inning.
4.11 LEGAL SHOT [ top ]
(Defined) On all shots (except on the break and when the
table is open), the shooter must hit one of his group of
balls first and (1) pocket a numbered ball, or (2) cause
the cue ball or any numbered ball to contact a rail.
Please Note: It is permissible for the shooter to bank
the cue ball off a rail before contacting the object
ball; however, after contact with the object ball, an
object ball must be pocketed, or the cue ball or any
numbered ball must contact a rail. Failure to meet these
requirements is a foul.
4.12 “SAFETY” SHOT [ top ]
For tactical reasons, a player may choose to pocket an
obvious object ball and also discontinue a turn at the
table by declaring “safety” in advance. A safety shot is
defined as a legal shot. If the shooting player intends
to play safe by pocketing an obvious object ball, then
prior to the shot, the shooter must declare a “safety”
to the opponent. It is the shooter’s responsibility to
make the opponent aware of the intended safety shot. If
this is not done, and one of the shooter’s object balls
is pocketed, the shooter will be required to shoot
again. Any ball pocketed on a safety shot remains
pocketed.
4.13 SCORING [ top ]
A player is entitled to continue shooting until failing
to legally pocket a ball of his group. After a player
has legally pocketed all of his group of balls, he
shoots to pocket the 8-ball.
4.14 FOUL PENALTY [ top ]
Opposing player gets cue ball in hand. This means that
the player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table
(does not have to be behind the headstring except on
opening break). This rule prevents a player from making
intentional fouls which would put an opponent at a
disadvantage. With “cue ball in hand,” the player may
use a hand or any part of a cue (including the tip) to
position the cue ball. When placing the cue ball in
position, any forward stroke motion contacting the cue
ball will be a foul, if not a legal shot. (Also see Rule
3.39.)
4.15 COMBINATION SHOTS [ top ]
Combination shots are allowed; however, the 8-ball can’t
be used as a first ball in the combination unless it is
the shooter’s only remaining legal object ball on the
table. Otherwise, should such contact occur on the
8-ball, it is a foul.
4.16 ILLEGALLY POCKETED
BALLS [ top ]
An object ball is considered to be illegally pocketed
when (1) that object ball is pocketed on the same shot a
foul is committed, or (2) the called ball did not go in
the designated pocket, or (3) a safety is called prior
to the shot. Illegally pocketed balls remain pocketed
and are scored in favor of the shooter controlling that
specific group of balls, solids or stripes.
4.17 OBJECT BALLS JUMPED
OFF THE TABLE [ top ]
If any object ball is jumped off the table, it is a foul
and loss of turn, unless it is the 8-ball, which is a
loss of game. Any jumped object balls are not
re-spotted.
4.18 JUMP AND MASSÉ SHOT
FOUL [ top ]
While “cue ball fouls only” is the rule of play when a
match is not presided over by a referee, a player should
be aware that it will be considered a cue ball foul if
during an attempt to jump, curve or massé the cue ball
over or around an impeding numbered ball that is not a
legal object ball, the impeding ball moves (regardless
of whether it was moved by a hand, cue stick
follow-through or bridge).
4.19
PLAYING THE 8-BALL [ top ]
When the 8-ball is the legal object ball, a scratch or
foul is not loss of game if the 8-ball is not pocketed
or jumped from the table. Incoming player has cue ball
in hand. Note: A combination shot can never be used to
legally pocket the 8-ball, except when the 8-ball is the
first ball contacted in the shot sequence.
4.20
LOSS OF GAME [ top ]
A player loses the game by committing any of the
following infractions:
1. Fouls when
pocketing the 8-ball (exception: see 8-Ball Pocketed On
The
Break).
2. Pockets the 8-ball on the same stroke as the
last of his group of balls.
3. Jumps the 8-ball off the table at any time.
4. Pockets the 8-ball in a pocket other than the
one designated.
5. Pockets the 8-ball when it is not the legal
object ball.
Note: All infractions must be called before another shot
is taken, or else it will be deemed that no infraction
occurred.
STALEMATED GAME [ top ]
If, after 3 consecutive turns at the table by each
player (6 turns total), the referee judges that
attempting to pocket or move an object ball will result
in loss of game, the balls will be re-racked with the
original breaker of the stalemated game breaking again.
The stalemate rule may be applied regard-less of the
number of balls on the table. Please Note: Three
consecutive fouls by one player in 8-ball is not a loss
of game.
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