CLUB CHARLESTON "LIGHTS OUT" BILLIARD LEAGUE...

RULES FOR 9-BALL BILLIARDS

This will be a BCA sanctioned 9-ball billiard league. 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 billiard league session. There are no gender restrictions on the team composition.

The season will have 6 teams playing each other 3 times. (If the billiard league consists of 7 or 8 teams, we will play each team twice.) The billiard league format is a 5 x 5 x 2 Round Robin between 2 5-person teams. Each person will play all of the opposing team’s players in a 2-game set, a total of 10 games per player, 50 games per match. 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 practice. 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 set, they will be allowed to make up that set if they are present before their next set is called. Players wishing to practice after the conclusion of their match may do so free of charge until all League matches are concluded, at which time all play goes on the clock at the rate of $6/hour. If billiard league scheduling includes BYES, the team with the bye is welcome to show up and practice on the table made available for them.

GAME RULES

The game is single foul 9-ball billiards. To begin the game, the balls are arrayed in a diamond with the 9-ball in the center and the
1-ball at the apex. All other balls are placed in a random order. The 1-ball is to be placed on the spot at the foot of the table. Lag for the break. The winner of the 1st game receives the break in the 2nd game of the set. The person breaking places the cue ball anywhere behind, but not in contact with, the head string. The cue ball must strike the 1-ball on the break. If the 9-ball is pocketed on the break and cue ball is not scratched, the shooter wins. If the 9-ball is pocketed on the break and cue ball scratches, the 9-ball is spotted and the opposing player has ‘ball in hand’. The shooter immediately after a break shot may play a “push out.” The opponent can accept the next shot or force the shooter to then execute a legal shot. 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. The game is won by the player who pockets the 9-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 the lowest numbered object ball first and then pocket or rail any ball. All object balls that leave the table are pocketed, except the 9-ball, which is spotted. Incidental contact with an object ball by either clothing or a player’s bridge hand prior to striking the cue ball is not a foul.

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.

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 or the location manager will 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