Each game shall have one registered player of the league as the referee. In team matches the away team will referee the first game with alternate referees from each team thereafter. All referees will be accountable to the League and should remain impartial. A referee represents the League, not their own team.
The home team pays for the games and the home captain will choose his players first in all games, but does not nominate his team in advance. Commencement of each game will be decided by the toss of a coin.
When the balls are racked the black ball must be placed on the spot.
Beginning the game (The Break). The opening player must play at the triangle of object balls using the cue ball from any position behind (not on) the baulk line. The opening player must pocket a ball or drive at least two balls to hit a cushion. Failing to do so can result in the opponent accepting the balls as they lie, or demanding the balls to be re-racked and the break shot retaken.
The Break
* the term “open” means no colour or denomination group have been decided
If no balls are potted, the opening players turn at the table ends and the opponent plays from where the cue ball lies, the table is open.
Potting balls legally from the break (except the black), means the player continues and the table is open
If a foul is committed, the incoming player has “two shots” with the 1st shot being a “free table” with ball in hand, if required (see rule 6), and does not count in assigning colour group. Once the 1st shot has been played the table is open.
Failure to pot with the 2nd shot means the table is open to the incoming player.
If a foul is committed on the 1st or 2nd shot, the incoming player should revert to the earlier point c “If a foul is committed” above
Deciding colour group when the table is open. The players colour group is decided when the player pots a ball or balls from only one colour group on a normal legal shot. Potting a combination of colours legally while the table is open means the player continues and the table remains open.
If the black ball is potted from the break the balls will be re-racked and the game re-started with the offending player paying for the game
In the event of any of the following fouls, the incoming player will be allowed, after asking the referee for “ball in hand”, to replace the cue ball anywhere behind (not on) the baulk line if they consider it will be to their advantage. They will also be given a FREE TABLE on their first shot only of their two strokes, whereby they may legally hit and pot in any manner of combinations any ball on the table, remembering that once on black ball it is potted independently of all other balls but can be potted using the opponents ball on the first stroke only.
In off
Hitting opponents ball before his own. (Unless free table).
Hitting black ball before his own. (Unless free table).
Intentional jump shot.
Potting opponents ball. (Unless free table).
Missing the balls from the break. (The cue ball must leave the baulk area when breaking. If it does not a foul stroke has not been committed and the player re-breaks).
A ball leaving the table. If own ball, it must be replaced in the centre of the top or bottom cushion (or as near to the centre as possible, without disturbing other balls), to be decided by the opponent. If opponents ball, it must be pocketed.
If a player touches any ball (other than the cue ball) with the cue.
If a player’s clothing or body should touch a ball.
Failing to hit a ball.
Playing out of turn.
Player not having at least one foot on the floor.
Playing before balls have come to rest or have been respotted.
Failure to comply with the Pairs/Mixed Pairs match rules.
In the event of a touching ball situation a player has the option of playing into their object ball or playing away from their object ball.
When an occasion arises where a ball falls, unassisted, into a pocket (referee’s decision), the ball or balls should be replaced and the game continues.
Any unavoidable outside interference and the balls are moved they must be either re-placed or the game re-started at the referees discretion.
Any player(s) taking more than two minutes between shots, will be deemed to be impeding the progress of a game/match and will in the first instance be warned by the referee and asked to play their shot, failure to comply or further infringements will consequently, without further warnings, be deemed a foul (Rule 6j) and the referee will call a foul shot.
If a player is unable under any circumstances to hit their own object balls (or black ball once object balls have been potted) without committing a foul stroke (referee’s decision), that player has the option of asking for a re-rack or continuing to play.
LOSS OF GAME
Potting black ball before own combination have been potted.
Black ball leaving the table.
Committing a foul when black ball is potted.
Intentional playing of black ball before all object balls have been potted (unless free table/mis-cuing not applicable).
Deliberately disturbing the table to move or pocket a ball.
Is coached by a registered player (to be decided by the referee).
PAIRS/DOUBLES MATCHES
The Break - This will be Alternate Breaks, no Player can break more than once until the format moves to 5 frames or more
Conferring is permitted once the balls have been broken, whilst the players decide a colour to nominate.
Conferring is also allowed between visits, not shots.
Once the teams visit has started (i.e. the white ball has been struck) conferring is not allowed until the end of the visit.
Players play one shot each, alternately. No player can play consecutive shots.
Failure to comply with these rules will result in a foul being committed.