Association Rules

Association Rules

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The Rack

1. Step 2: The Table

   The game of 8-ball pool is played on a regulation UK pool table. It is covered in a green baize with 6 pockets, 1 in each corner and 1 on each side equidistant from either end of the table. There are also a couple of markings on the table that you need to be aware of to play the game effectively, they are. The baulk line and The Spot. The Baulk line is the perpendicular line that crosses the entire width of the table at one end. The cue ball needs to placed behind this line for the break, it can also be put here when you are fouled if you choose to do so. The spot is where the eight ball needs to be placed to position the rack of balls before you start.

2. Step 3: Setting up the balls

   Amazingly most people that play pool only have a vague idea about how the rack should be set up, and some have no idea at all.
   The official rules state that the eight-ball should be positioned on the spot with the rest of the balls arranged in a triangular formation around it, with a ball of each colour in the two corners at the base of the triangle with the point of the triangle facing towards the baulk line. As long as you have done this the rest of the balls can be placed anywhere in the rack.
   This said, there is a preferred method to do this, place the rack on the table pointing towards the baulk line. Starting from the right hand corner, place a yellow ball then continuing along the base to the left corner, place a red, a yellow, another yellow and a red. Above this red place a yellow ball then going back the other way, a red, a yellow and a red. Above this red place a yellow ball, next to that the eight-ball and next to that a red ball. Above this ball place a yellow ball and then a red next to that, which leaves the final red ball at the apex of the rack. You can of course do this the other way round but the general idea of this is to split up the balls so no one colour can gain an advantage on the break. To position the rack in the correct position, the best method is to remove the eight-ball and position the rack with the spot where the eight-ball should be and then replace it before carefully removing the rack to leave the balls in a perfect triangular formation.

How To Master The Rules Of Pool

1. Step 1: The Object of the Game

   The object of the game is to be the first player to pot a group of balls of the same colour, and then finish by potting the eight ball. So lets go through the basic rules.

2. Step 2: Playing from the behind the Line

   The line in question is the Baulk Line, this is the line that crosses the entire width of the table. This is where the cue ball is placed for the break, the ball can be played from anywhere in this area as long as it is behind the line. It is important to remember that the centre point of the cue ball must be behind the line, if the centre point of the ball is on the line and the player takes the shot this is considered a foul.

3. Step 3: The break

   The first shot of the frame is called the 'Break'. To Break, the cue ball is played from behind the line towards the triangular formation of balls. Before you start you need to decide who breaks, there are two recognised ways to do this, one is to simply flip a coin and whoever wins gets to break. The other way is not in the official rules, but is a bit more fun as it is a test of skill. The idea is for the two players to simultaneously hit a ball from the baulk line up the table and back again, the person who's ball stops closest to the baulk line has the choice to break or not.
   
   It is considered a Fair Break if at least one ball is potted or four of the balls are pushed to a cushion. If neither of these actions happen then the Break is not considered Fair and the opponent is awarded 2 shots
   If the cue ball is potted by mistake on a Fair Break then the player is penalised by the turn passing to the other player. If the cue ball is potted on a break not considered to be fair then the other player is awarded two shots rather than one.
   If the eight ball is potted on the break, then the balls are re-racked and the same player starts again.

4. Step 4: Choosing colours

   If the Break has been made and one or more balls of one colour have been potted the player must continue to play that colour for the rest of the frame. If the player potted a ball of each colour they then have the choice of which colour to continue playing with. If no balls where potted on the Break then the other player has the choice of colours.

5. Step 5: Fouls

   There are three types foul in pool. The Stationary Foul, The Movable Foul, and The Loss of Frame Foul.
   The stationary foul is the most common type of foul, when it happens the cue ball stays in it's position for the opposing player to take their two shots. This penalty is awarded to the other player when:
   A player plays the cue ball in front of the line.
   
   A player misses all the balls of their colour on the table
   
   A player hits one of the other players balls
   
   A player pots an opponents ball.
   
   A player makes a shot while not having one foot on the floor.
   
   A player makes a push shot. This is when a player plays the cue so slowly through the Cue Ball that the cue tip remains in contact with the Cue Ball so as to be visibly pushing it along
   
   A player makes a double hit. This is when the tip of the cue strikes the Cue Ball twice and the other player is able to actually see each contact.
   
   A player fails to play way from a touching ball, This is when the cue ball has stopped so close to another ball that they are visibly touching, in this case the balls have made contact, to play this ball would be considered
   double hit so a foul. To avoid this, it is best to play away,
   in this case the cue ball does not have to make contact
   with another ball as it is already considered to have made
   contact at the start of the shot.
   
   A players body or clothing touches any ball.
   A player causes interference, while the other player is taking a shot.

6. There are not as many reasons for the moveable foul, but it happens just as much as the previous one. When this foul occurs, the Cue Ball must be moved back behind the line for the other player to take their two shots. This penalty is awarded when
   A player pots the Cue Ball
   When a player plays a ball that leaves the table and does not return to the playing service, if the ball does return to the surface without any help from an outside influence then there is no foul incurred.
   Once the ball has been placed behind the line it can be played in any direction, up or down the table.

7. This is the most drastic foul you can make during a game of pool and will generally mean that the win will be awarded to the other player. This penalty occurs when
   A player pots the Eight-Ball while they still have some balls of their colour on the table
   A player breeches the 'Spirit of the Game' to such an extent that the frame is awarded to the other player.

8. Step 6: Other Rules

   These are the basic rules, but there are just a couple of extra bits that you need to know.
   If a ball is near a pocket and drops into it without being hit, then the ball must be replaced to it's original position without any penalty being awarded to the other player.
   If any balls are moved during a frame by anyone else other than the players at the table, then the balls will be replaced to their original positions, with no penalty awarded to the other player.
   If you're interested in learning more about the game of pool why not look at The English Pool Association website at www.epa.org.uk.

How To Play Pool Shots That Will Win You The Game

1. Step 2: The Shots you will need

   There are a number of shots that you will find useful when playing pool. Here are some of the more simple ones so they should be fairly easy to get the hang of.
   The Break
   The Straight Shot
   The Bank Shot
   The Slice
   and The Canon.

2. Step 3: Before you start

   First you will need to prepare the cue. Hold the cue in one hand with the tip pointing up, with your other hand take the chalk and rub it over the tip of the cue (ensure that the whole of the tip is covered with chalk). When you have done this, blow lightly across the face of the tip to blow off any excess chalk.
   Before you hit a ball, always check that the tip is screwed in securely to the end of the cue. The tip can sometimes work itself loose and even fall off, if this happens it will effect how you strike the Cue ball and put you at a disadvantage.

3. Step 4: The Break

   Place the Cue ball behind the line, so the first ball it will make contact with is the ball at the apex of the rack. Then, with the tip of the cue strike the Cue ball, if you hit it hard enough the rack should be spread quite evenly around the table.

4. Step 5: The Straight Shot

   This sounds like it should be very easy, but when the ball you are aiming for is at the far end of the table it does take a certain amount of skill. It is important to stay calm, as it is easy to get nervous especially if this is an important shot.
   Use your cue to line up the shot between the cue ball and the ball you are aiming for, as it is sometimes hard to judge just with your eye alone.
   Once you have decided on the angle of your shot bring the cue back and line up the shot. Ensure that you line up the tip of your cue with the centre of the white ball, if you do not strike the ball dead in the centre then the ball will head off at an angle, missing your ball. So before you take the shot check the position of the Cue ball and the position of the ball you intend to hit. Then, when you are sure you are lined up, take the shot.

5. Step 6: The Bank Shot

   This is one of the most popular shots in pool, the basic idea is to either hit the cue ball so it bounces off a cushion and hits a ball. Or to strike the Cue ball so it hits a ball which then rebounds off a cushion. This is the basic bank shot, and is known as a double.
   As before, use your cue to help you work out the angle of your shot by lining up your ball with the cushion to judge how it will bounce.

6. Step 7: The Slice

   This is a shot you will find very useful. It is best used to direct a coloured ball either into a pocket or onto another coloured ball. The idea is to hit the cue ball towards a coloured ball, but rather than hit the ball dead on, you want to hit the ball off centre. How far off centre depends on where you want the coloured ball to end up. If you try and slice the ball too much, there is a chance that you might miss the it completely.

7. Step 8: The Canon

   Now you know how to Slice it's an easy step up to the Canon. This is a useful shot if the ball you want to hit is blocked by one or more balls
   Look at the balls in question, how do you want to hit the first ball in order for it to strike the second ball at the right angle, for that to maybe hit the third.
   Once you have decided how to hit the Cue ball, hit it firmly, but not too hard as this may cause the balls to fly off around the table.

8. Remember, pool is a game of skill, so the more you practice the better you will become.

How To Play Pool In The Spirit Of The Game

1. Step 1: The Rules

   The official rules of pool state that "It is expected that players will always play the game in the true spirit and in a sporting manner". This means that they will not only play by the rules, but also win or lose gracefully.

2. Step 2: Loss of Frame

   This only occurs when a player is considered to have done something unsporting. This could be anything from gloating or boasting about successful shots, moving balls that are in play or serious disruption of play.

3. Step 3: Fouls

   There are a number of rules that cover the use of drinks and cigarettes near the table. For example placing a drink on the table or smoking too close to the table so that it causes a distraction to the other player means a foul will be awarded. A foul results in the other player being given a free shot.

4. Step 4: Distraction

   This is generally considered against the rules, even when done as a joke. When playing an informal game it depends how serious the infringement has been, but should result in a foul being given against the culprit.

5. Step 5: Tampering

   This covers all kinds of tampering, from hiding the chalk to removing the tip of a cue so the other player is at a disadvantage.

6. Step 6: Alcohol

   Spiking the other player's drinks is against the rules as they may not be able to focus on the game. It is also dangerous for their health, and may affect their ability to drive legally, so don't ever do this.

7. As long as you follow the general rules of pool, and keep to these do's and don'ts then your pool playing should go from strength to strength.

World Rules 2009

A full copy of the 2009 World Rules.

http://www.qpool.com.au/images/world_rules/2009_world_rules.pdf

World Rules what are the changes?

World Rules what are the changes?

There is a printable list below, also some were renumbered.

http://qpool.com.au/images/world_rules/world-rules-changes-2009.pdf