Official Pool Rules
The official 8-ball ruleset for the Tuesday night pool group. Clear guidelines to keep games fair and fun, with detailed specifications for settling disputes.
Main Rules
- Coin toss for the first break. Winner of previous game breaks thereafter.
- Break must send at least two object balls past the middle line or pocket a ball, or else the opponent re-racks and breaks.
- If no balls are potted on break, the table remains open.
- First legally potted ball determines groups (solids or stripes).
- If both groups are potted on the break, the shooter must nominate their group.
- Player continues their turn until they fail to pot a ball or commit a foul.
- Shots do NOT need to contact a cushion (unless using deliberate safety play).
Common fouls (opponent gets two shots):
- Cue ball in-off (potted).
- Hitting opponent's ball first.
- Jumping a ball off the table.
- Potting the 8-ball early (except on break, see below).
- Pot all your balls, then the 8-ball in a nominated pocket.
- If the 8-ball is potted in the wrong pocket or on a foul shot, you lose.
Detailed Rules for Disputes
Re-rack, same player breaks.
Opponent plays from anywhere on the table (not a foul).
Stay down (except 8-ball, which is re-spotted if on the break).
Must declare a safety shot before playing (otherwise, standard turn rules apply).
- Pocketing the 8-ball in the wrong pocket.
- Jumping the 8-ball off the table.
- Potting the 8-ball on a foul shot.
Rule Clarification Assistant
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