General

Situation A player won the lag, but miscues on the break and does not strike any balls

Answer It is the opponents break.  Should the opponent break and run out - it is considered a break and run.

 

Situation Can we use a "Magic Rack"?

Answer It is allowed only when all of the captains in a team league or all of the players in a singles league agree.  Magic Rack is not allowed in any of the national (tour) events.

 

8-Ball

Situation What if a player racks wrong?

Answer Advise them that it is wrong and have them re-rack correctly.  You must have a solid and stripe in the rear two corners, the 8 ball must be in the middle, the front ball must be on the head spot and the racked balls must be tight.

 

9-Ball

Situation Player breaks, but does not hit the 1 ball

Answer This is an illegal shot, the balls are re-racked and it is the opponent break.

 

10-Ball

Situation The Shooting player is shooting at a ball, but believes that they can make the 10 ball. Does the shooter call both balls? What happens if if he only makes one?

Answer In 10 ball you can only call a single ball each shot, so the player will have to choose.

 

Lagger's Choice

Situation The winner of the Lab chooses the format, can they still get a rackless?

Answer No.  In fact, neither player can get a rackless if the winner of the lag chooses the format.

 

When do you get ball in hand?

Breaking

• Not a legal break (not hitting the 1 ball first in 9 ball), cue ball in hand behind the head string 1.6.2
• Not a legal break (pocket a ball or 4 balls to a rail), cue ball in hand behind the head string 1.8.1
• Cue ball pocketed on the break, cue ball in hand behind the head string 1.8.1
• Cue ball driven off the table, cue ball in hand behind the head string 1.8.2
• Object ball driven off the table, cue ball in hand behind the head string and object ball spotted 1.8.3

During the Game

• Hitting the 8 ball first on a combination is cue ball in hand. 1.10, 1.14
• If a shooter pockets an object ball and scratches, it is ball in hand. 1.10
• A shooter must hit his category of balls first. If not it is ball in hand. 1.11
• In shooting, an object ball or the cue ball must contact a cushion after initial contact with an object ball. 1.11
• If, during the placement of the cue ball in ball in hand situations, the arm or hand comes in contact with another ball, it is ball in hand 1.13, 3.3.1
• If the shooter touches the cue ball with the ferrule of the cue stick it is ball in hand. 1.1.3
• If the shooter scratches while shooting the 8 ball but the 8 ball is NOT pocketed, it is ball in hand. 1.16
• Telling your teammate which category of balls he or she has is a foul and it is ball in hand. 2.1
• Touching or causing the slightest movement of the cue ball (other than a normal shot) is ball in hand. 3.1
• Touching a moving object ball is a ball in hand foul. 3.3.2
• Accidentally pocketing a ball by hand or stick or any part of the shooters body is ball in hand AND loss of turn. 3.3.4
• If the shooter makes a shot and after the shot is made makes contact with the cue ball before it comes to rest, it is ball in hand. 3.2
• Any ball accidentally moved can only be replaced by the opponent. If the shooter touches any of the disturbed balls without consent of the opponent, it is ball in hand. 3.3.3
• Pocketing the cue ball is ball in hand. 3.5
• If the first ball contacted by the cue ball is not from the shooters established group it is ball in hand. 3.6
• If after the cue ball strikes a legal hit and neither the cue ball or any other ball hits a cushion or is pocketed it is ball in hand. 3.7
• If any ball, other than the 8 ball, is jumped off the table it is ball in hand AND loss of turn. Ball is spotted. If it was the 8 ball it is loss of game. 3.8
• If any ball is jumped off the table and hits something (a person, etc) that brings it back onto the table is a ball in hand. Table remains as it is. 3.9
• Not having one foot on the floor while shooting is a ball in hand foul unless a physical handicap or limitation is involved. 3.10
• In jumping a ball a legal jump shot must be made. No scooping or miscues. Ball in hand. 3.11, 9.5
• Jump cues are allowed but using a half cue or just a shaft is ball in hand. 4.6
• Shooting while any ball is moving or spinning is a ball in hand foul. 3.12
• All double hits are ball in hand fouls. If there is separation between the balls equal to or less than the width of a piece of chalk the shooter MUST keep from double hitting the cue ball. To avoid a double hit elevate the cue to a 45 degree angle. If balls are frozen no double hit can be called. If the distance is greater than the width of a piece of chalk any double hit is a ball in hand. If a third party is not called it is the shooters decision. Recommend a third party to watch to avoid controversy. 3.13, 9.8
• Using an out of play ball to measure gaps or spaces is a ball in hand foul. 3.16
• Taking more time to shoot than allowed is a ball in hand foul. NAPA allows 60 seconds to execute each shot. A first warning must be given. After a first warning is given a shot clock can be instituted. 3.17, 9.1
• Using a laser sight will result in loss of turn and ball in hand. 4.4
• If the shooter proceeds with their next shot after having been asked by the opponent to wait, it is a ball in hand foul. If the opponent does not dispute the shot before the next shot is played it is assumed a legal shot. 9.7

Time-out related

• If a time out is not available but a time out is taken, it is a ball in hand. 2.1
• If the coach marks any part of the table with chalk or another object, it is ball in hand. 2.3
• If the coach touches any ball, other than the cue ball, at any time, it is ball in hand. 2.3
• If the shooter’s time out exceeds one minute, it is ball in hand. 2.4

When is it loss of turn, but not ball in hand?

• If the shooter does not call their intended object ball and pocket when performing a bank shot, a kick shot, a jump shot, a masse shot, or a combo shot, it is loss of turn. However, for obvious shots the ball and pocket does not have to be called. But to be safe, ALWAYS call ball and pocket because if it is clear to you what you are doing it may not be clear to your opponent. 1.2
• If the shooter pockets a ball in any other pocket than the called pocket it is not ball in hand. 1.2.
• If the base of the cue ball in not behind the head string it is not ball in hand but a foul and a loss of turn. 1.7, 3.14

When is it Loss of Game (8-ball)?

• If 8 ball jumps off the table, it is loss of game. 1.17, 3.8
• If 8 ball is moved accidentally either by hand, stick or body, AND the 8 ball is pocketed as a result, it is loss of game for shooter causing foul. 3.4
• If 8 ball is pocketed in any pocket other than the intended pocket it is loss of game. 1.16, 1.17
• If 8 ball is made in intended pocket but shooter scratches, it is loss of game. 1.16
• If 8 ball is made in the intended pocket but the shooter hits an opponents object ball first, it is a loss of game.  1.16
• If you make the 8 ball on the same stroke as the last of his group. 1.17
• If you pocket the 8 ball when it is not the legal object ball. 1.17

Other Tidbits

• The BASE of cue ball must be behind the head string for the break. 3.14
• Use of ANY outside balls, including red dot cue balls, must be agreed upon by both teams. 4.5
• After 3 consecutive turns at the table by each player, both SHOOTERS agree to restart the game with the original breaker breaking again. 1.18
• The coach can change at any time. 2.1
• If a time out is called it must be taken. This includes any mention of a time out such as “want to talk about it” 2.1
• If the cue ball is frozen to the object ball, pushing through the cue ball is legal. 9.3
• If you intend to do a safety but do not call a safety, and make a ball, you MUST shoot again. 9.6
• Any forfeited matches will be AFTER all other matches have been played. 9.14