(F) The Break
(1) The Object Balls are racked with the Eight-Ball on the Spot.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.
(4) The Break will be deemed a "Fair Break" if:-
(4.1) If the Break is not a Fair Break it is a Non-Standard Foul and:-
- The opponent is awarded two visits.
- The balls are re-racked.
- The opponent re-starts the game and is under the same obligation to achieve a Fair Break.
(4.2) If the Cue Ball is potted on a Fair Break it is a Non-Standard Foul that is penalised by the turn passing to the opponent.
(4.3) If the break is not a Fair Break and the Cue Ball is potted, the penalty for failure to perform a Fair Break applies. (see 4.1 above).
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).
(I) Time Allowed
(1) A player has a maximum of sixty seconds to play each shot.
(2) The Referee will start timing when all balls have come to rest from the previous shot.
(3) If the first thirty seconds elapses before a shot is played, the referee will call "Thirty Seconds" 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.
(4) If a shot is not played within sixty seconds it is a Non-Standard Foul. The incoming player is awarded two visits from:-
(5) 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 the player.)
(K) Standard Fouls
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 awards two visits to the opponent.
(1) Potting the Cue Ball - "In Off" {except on a Fair Break }. The incoming player plays from Baulk {see (E) Playing from Baulk }
(2) Playing from outside Baulk when obliged to play from Baulk.
(3) Potting an opponent's ball. (except when it is the properly nominated ball following a Foul Snooker or Foul Jaw Snooker)
(4) Failing to cause the Cue Ball's initial contact with a ball, to be with a ball "On".
(5) Accidentally striking the Cue Ball with any part of the cue other than the tip.
(6) Accidentally striking an Object Ball with any part of the cue.
(7) Playing a shot before all balls have come to rest from the previous shot.
(8) Playing a shot before any balls that require spotting, have been spotted.
(9) Touching the table:-
- 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.
(10) 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.
(11) Not moving away from the table within 10 seconds of the time that all the balls stopped moving from the final shot of a turn at the table.
(12) 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 bone 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.
(13) 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. { see (I) Time Allowed }
(14) Playing a shot after neglecting to nominate a choice of Colour when the obligation and right to do so existed. {see (H) Deciding Colours }
(15) Playing A Push Shot or Double Hit of a type defined in (O) Push Shots and Double Hits.
(16) Failing to perform a "Legal Shot".
(17) After being awarded a Foul Snooker or Foul Jaw Snooker:- Playing an opponents ball or the Eight Ball without firstly nominating that ball.
(18) Playing a shot while not having at least one foot touching the floor.
(19) Failing to "Play Away" from a touching ball.
(20) A ball remaining off the table. { see (U) Balls Off the Table }
(21) Players body or clothing touching any ball.
(M) Serious Fouls
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.
(1) 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.)
- A shot played out of turn accidentally that disrupts the balls to such an extent that the referee deems it impossible to replace them. 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.
(2) Deliberately striking a ball other than the Cue Ball with the tip of the cue.
(3) Deliberately causing any ball or balls to be moved in a manner other than that which may result from playing a normal shot.
(4) Deliberately striking the Cue Ball with other than the tip of the cue.
(5) 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.)
(6) Deliberately interfering, by word or action, so as to disrupt an opponents play.
N) Loss of Frame Fouls
(1) Committing a foul in the same shot that the Eight Ball is potted. (except on the Break).
(2) Potting the Eight Ball when a ball or balls of the player's own Colour are still on the table (except on the Break)
(3) Potting the Eight Ball and the last ball or balls of the player's own Colour in the same shot.
(4) Committing two Serious Fouls in the one frame.
(5) 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.
(6) 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.
(7) If a player breeches the "Spirit of the Game" to such an extent that the frame (or match) should be awarded to the opponent.
(P) Snookers
(1) 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.
(2) A player cannot be Snookered by a ball of the player's own Colour. That is, if one of the player's own coloured group is an obstructing ball, it will be ignored for the purposes of determining a Snooker.
(3) A player cannot be Snookered on an Object Ball if the Cue Ball is touching that Object Ball.
(4) A player cannot be Snookered by the straight sections of the cushions. If a straight section of a cushion is preventing the finest possible cut on the side of an Object Ball, that section of cushion will be deemed not to exist for the purposes of determining a Snooker on that Object Ball.
(5) If an Object Ball is partly obscured by a curved section of a cushion (Jaw), this in itself does not constitute a Snooker.
(R) Foul Snookers
(1) Definition: When a foul occurs and this results in the incoming player being snookered, the incoming player is deemed to be Foul Snookered.
(2) If a player believes that a Foul Snooker exists, the player may ask the referee for a ruling.
(3) If the referee rules that a foul snooker exists, the player initially has the following options:-
- (a) Play the Cue Ball from where it lies. {see (4) (a) below}
or
- (b) Ask the referee to remove the Cue Ball so as to allow the player to play from Baulk. {see (4)(b) below}
(4) (a) (1) If the player chooses to play the Cue Ball from where it lies, the player may, if the player wishes, nominate the Eight Ball (but see (5) below) or any one of the opponent's Colour. The player can nominate a particular ball by verbal description of it or its position or by pointing at it. The referee may ask for further information if any doubt exists as to which ball has been nominated.
(4) (a) (2) Once nominated, a ball is deemed to "become one" of the player's Colour for the first shot of the first visit. The player may then play any of the player's own Colour or the nominated ball. If any of the player's Colour and/or the nominated ball are potted, the player continues with the first visit.
(4) (b) If the player chooses to play the Cue Ball from Baulk, a Foul Snooker may nolonger exist. In this case the procedure under the heading (E) Playing from Baulk should be followed. If the referee decides that a Foul Snooker does still exist, the player may nominate a ball and follow the procedure in (4)(a) above.
(5) If the Eight Ball is nominated it may be played, but potting it will mean loss of frame.
(6) If a player is "On" the Eight Ball and Foul Snookered:- The player may play a nominated ball or the Eight Ball and pot either or both of these balls, directly or indirectly, in any pocket or pockets. Assuming the player does not commit a foul:-
(7) If a Foul Snooker exists and the Cue Ball is touching an opponent's ball or balls, the player may, but is not obliged to, nominate one of those touching balls.
(W) Interference
(1) 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
then 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.
(2) (a) 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.
(b) 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 breeched the Spirit of the Game and award the frame to the opponent.
(c) Exception to (a) above:- A cigarette or beverage container. { see (K) Standard Fouls }.
(Z) Referee's Guidelines and Duties
The referee's Duties and Guidelines listed below supplement those directions contained in various other sections of these rules.
(1) 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.
(2) 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.
3) The referee shall toss a coin to determine the break and announce the result.
4) If an Object Ball or balls are potted on the break the referee will advise both players of this fact by announcing the balls that were potted. When Colours are decided for the first time, the referee will announce "Player "A" On Red (or Yellow) Balls". When that player's turn is complete the referee will advise the incoming player of the situation by announcing "Player "B" On Yellow (or Red) Balls".
5) (a) The referee will call fouls as soon as they occur and the fouled player immediately loses control of the table.
(b) After a player has been awarded two visits the referee will make no call until the player fails to pot a ball "On". (Except for 30 second time warnings and for any fouls that may occur) 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.
(6) The referee will call any instance when the Cue Ball is touching a ball "On".
(7) 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 "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 a foul, the other referee can not overrule the call. That is, the two referees have equal authority.