CLUB CHARLESTON "LIGHTS OUT" BILLIARD LEAGUE...

RULES FOR 8-BALL BILLIARDS

This will be a BCA sanctioned 8-ball billiard league utilizing the 10-point scoring system. BCA rules will apply unless otherwise specified. Players must be 21 years or older. Players will conduct themselves in a gentlemanly or ladylike manner and play with good sportsmanship. Each team will have a designated Captain. It is the Captain’s responsibility to see that all team members are aware of the rules of play and conduct. If a problem or complaint arises with any team or individual, put it in writing and turn it in to Greg. A Captain’s meeting will be called. The problem or complaint will be addressed at that time.

Each player is required to fill out the BCA sanctioning sign-up sheet. It is due after play the first week. Ten players may be carried on the team’s roster. All players and any later additions are required to be BCA sanctioned. No players can be added the last 4 weeks of the league session. There are no gender restrictions on the team composition.

The season will have 6 teams playing each other 3 times. (If the League consists of 8 teams, we will play each team twice.) The billiard league format is a Round Robin between two five-person teams. Matches will utilize 2 tables. Game scheduling is detailed on the score sheet. All score sheets must be filled out completely for each match. Each team should compare and agree on both sheets. The Captains are required to sign and verify the score sheets. Matches will be played if at least 3 team members are present.

Rescheduling of matches will be allowed. A 24-hour notice is required to reschedule unless of extreme emergency. Do not reschedule except under extreme conditions. The match must be rescheduled within 2 weeks. ALL MATCHES NOT PLAYED WITHIN 2 WEEKS WILL BE A FORFEIT. There will be no rescheduling of matches during the last 2 weeks of the season.

Each match will be assigned a specific pair of tables as detailed in the billiard league schedule. Tables are made available promptly at 6:45 pm for 45 minutes of FREE practice. (Practice is optional).* Matches must commence by 7:30 pm. Delaying to wait for late players is not permitted. If a player is not present to start a scheduled game, they will be allowed to make up that game if they are present before their next game is called. *Note: Sunday afternoon 8-ball league practice (optional) begins at 1:45 pm. Sunday afternoon league matches commence at 2:30 pm.

GAME RULES

The game is 8-Ball Call Pocket. WITH EACH SHOT, YOU HAVE TO CLEARLY INDICATE THE INTENDED POCKET. The 8-ball is not a neutral ball but can be used in combinations.

To begin the game, the balls are placed in a triangle rack with the 8-ball in the center. All other balls placed alternating solids and stripes. The ball at the top of the triangle is to be placed on the spot at the foot of the table. Lag for the break. The person breaking places the cue ball anywhere behind, but not in contact with, the head string. The cue ball may strike any ball on the rack to break the rack. If a legal break is not executed (at least 4 balls driven to a rail), then the racking player has the option of taking the break or having the shooter re-rack and breaking the rack themselves or returning the break to the original shooter. Scratching on the break gives the opponent “ball in hand” behind the head string. If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break, the shooter has the option of breaking again or spotting the 8-ball and continuing play.

A player’s object ball group is determined by the first pocketed called shot. If a player pockets any balls legally on the break, the group has not been determined and the table is still open. The player must then pocket a ball legally to determine their group. On an open table where no player has determined their group, an odd combination shot may be used to determine a group. A player continues to shoot his/her object balls until they fail to pocket a ball with a legal shot.

In the event of a foul (illegal shot), the opponent has “ball in hand.” A foul is committed if the cue ball is pocketed or leaves the table,or any object ball leaves the table, or shooter fails to contact a ball in their object group first and then pocket or rail any ball. All object balls that leave the table are placed on the spot if shooter’s, or pocketed if opponent’s.

Fouls committed during billiard league play result in loss of shot only, unless otherwise stipulated. All fouls must be called at the time committed. If the player shoots his/her next shot before the foul is called, there is no foul. No protests will be accepted after the next shot is made. It is the responsibility of the players shooting to call fouls except if the player asks the Captain to watch and to Call.

When the 8-ball is the object ball, the player must verbally and clearly call the intended pocket. Failure to hit the
8-ball is a foul. The 8-ball must be hit first, but then may be shot in combination with another ball or balls to make the 8-ball in a called pocket.

A player loses the game if he/she:
1.    Jumps the 8-ball off the table at any time during the game.
2.    Pockets the 8-ball when it is not the object ball.
3.    Pockets the 8-ball in any pocket other than the one called.
4.    Fouls when the 8-ball is the object ball and the 8-ball is pocketed.

OTHER RULES OF BILLIARD PLAY

1.    One foot in contact with the floor while shooting.
2.    Incidental contact with an object ball before striking the cue ball is not a foul. If clothing or bridged hand accidentally disturbs any        object balls, they may be returned to the original position or left alone, it is up to your opponent.
3.   It is a foul if a player disturbs a ball while the cue ball or any ball is in motion.
4.    It is a foul if the cue ball is struck more than once on a shot by the cue tip.
5.    The cue ball may not be struck with anything other than the cue’s attached tip.
6.    Jump shots and masse shots are not allowed.
7.    If the balls are moved in any way by outside interference, the game will be played over. If a non-player either verbally or visually        interferes with the players, the team Captain or the location manager must ask the person to refrain or to leave the playing area        or the location.
8.    There will be no heckling from either the person playing the game or their teammates. Any such behavior could result in a loss        of that game for the person or team doing the heckling. It can be brought before the Captains for further reprimands.
9.    It is not permitted to “coach” the shooter. The first incident during a game receives a warning. Subsequent incidents during a        game are deemed a foul.
10. For any rule not covered herein, BCA rules will apply.

All players must honor opponent’s request that play be halted if a Captain or Co-captain is summoned to verify a rule. Failure to honor such a request may result in a disqualification of the game being played at the time.

The billiard league has the right to disqualify any player or team from a game or a complete match for unsportsmanlike conduct or the use of tactics that may alter the outcome of a game.

CLUB CHARLESTON 5740 W. Charleston Las Vegas 89146 702-880-3738