One Pocket 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
DISCLAIMER: This file contains property copyrighted by
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
Billiard Congress of America, 4345 Beverly St., Suite
D, Colorado Springs, CO. 80918.
Except when clearly
contradicted by these additional rules, the
General Rules of Pocket Billiards apply.
ONE POCKET [ top ]
Except when clearly contradicted by these additional
rules, the General Rules of Pocket Billiards apply.
TYPE OF GAME [ top ]
One Pocket is a unique game in which only two of the six
pockets are employed for legal scoring. Any ball may be
played and need not be called. What is required is that
an object ball falls in the player's "target" pocket. It
requires a wide variety of strokes, cue ball control,
shot-making ability, patience and defensive strategy.
PLAYERS [ top ]
2, or 2 teams.
BALLS USED [ top ]
Standard set of object balls 1-15, plus cue ball.
THE RACK [ top ]
Standard triangle rack; balls placed entirely at random.
OBJECT OF THE GAME [ top ]
Score a total of eight object balls in a player's target
pocket before opponent.
SELECTION OF POCKETS [ top ]
Prior to the opening break shot, the starting player
chooses one of the corner pockets on the foot end of the
table as a target pocket; the opponent then has the
other foot end corner as a target pocket.
SCORING [ top ]
A legally pocketed ball is scored as one ball for
shooter. Any ball pocketed in opponent's target pocket
counts, unless the cue ball should scratch on the same
shot. If the shot constitutes a foul other than a
scratch, the opponent is allowed to keep the ball. A
shooter's inning ends on a scratch or foul and any balls
pocketed in the shooter's pocket don't count on a foul
or scratch. In addition, the shooter is penalized one
ball for a foul or scratch.
OPENING BREAK [ top ]
Starting player must (1) legally pocket an object ball
into his targeted pocket, or (2) cause the cue ball to
contact an object ball and after contact, at least one
object ball must contact a cushion. Failure to do so is
a foul. Note: The cue ball does not have to strike a
rail on the opening break.
RULES OF PLAY [ top ]
- A legal shot requires that the cue ball contact an
object ball and then (1) pocket a numbered ball, or
(2) cause the cue ball or any numbered ball to contact
a cushion. Failure to do so is a foul.
- A legally pocketed ball in a target pocket
entitles shooter to remain at the table until failing
to pocket a ball in the target pocket on a legal shot.
Player may choose to shoot any object ball, any ball
pocketed in the target pocket on an otherwise legal
stroke is a scored ball.
- Balls pocketed in the four non-target pockets are
"Illegally Pocketed Balls."
- Balls pocketed by a shooter in an opponent's
target pocket are scored for the opponent, even if the
stroke was a foul, but would not count if the cue ball
should scratch or jump the table. However, if the
stroke is not a foul and the shooter pockets a ball(s)
in both target pockets, the shooter's inning
continues, with all legally pocketed balls scored to
the appropriate player. If a shooter pockets a ball
that brings the opponent's score to the number
opponent needed to win the game, the shooter has lost
unless the cue ball scratches or jumps off the table.
- When a player has the cue ball in hand behind the
head string (as after a scratch) and all object balls
are also behind the head string, the object ball
nearest the head string may be spotted upon request.
If two or more balls are an equal distance from the
head string, the highest numbered ball is spotted.
- Three successive fouls by the same player is loss
of game.
ILLEGALLY POCKETED BALLS [ top ]
All spotted. Special spotting rules: When a ball(s) is
pocketed in a non-target pocket, spotting is delayed
until the shooter's inning ends. Should a player legally
score the last ball(s) on the table while any illegally
pocketed balls are being held for delayed spotting,
those balls are then spotted so the player may continue
the inning.
Let's help to achieve BCA's goal to make billiard as
everyone's game!
Goodluck =)
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