Rule Clarifications

Pool League Information > Rules

These are clarifications from NAPA that resulted from instances coming up in league play. If there was a discussion then I took it to NAPA for clarification. Here are their responses.

OVERALL

Situation: A player places his cue on the table to study a shot and it rolls into the 8 ball and moves it. Is it a loss of game, a foul, or put the 8 ball back and continue the turn?

Answer: It was before the shot and not intentional. It is put the 8 ball back where it was and continue the turn. If it was put back without the permission of the other player it is a foul.

Situation: A player won the lag and miscues on the break not striking any ball. The opponent breaks and runs out. Is is a break and run?

Answer: Yes

Situation: Is it legal for a player to change cues in the middle of a game?

Answer: Currently the NAPA rules do not prohibit it so it is legal according to NAPA. Also you CANNOT break down your cue to shoot with the just a half cue or the shaft. It is a ball in hand foul.

Situation: After a player shot the cueball, they realize it is going into a pocket for a scratch. They put their hand into the pocket to catch the cueball but it does NOT go in the pocket. They say they did not touch the cueball to keep it from going into the pocket. What to do?

Answer: NAPA says it is a ball in hand foul because the player approached the table with the intent to interfere.

Situation: Shot clock is 60 seconds. What if the player continually goes over the 60 seconds?

Answer: Give a first warning to the coach and player. If it continues the team captains institute a time clock. Any violation of the time clock is a ball in hand foul.

Situation: What if a player racks it wrong?

Answer: Advise them that it is wrong and have them re-rack. Must have a solid and a stripe on the corners, 8 in the middle, on the headspot, and a tight rack.

Situation: When a team only has 3 players they can ask for a forfeit saviior. The other team MUST comply. But what if the other teamcannot field a 4th player without going over the team handicap?

Answer: The forfeit savior is still asks for by the team with 3 players. The other team, unable to field four players under the team handicap forfeits. However, sportsmanship dictates that you can arrange for the match to be played on another night thus avoiding any forfeits. The NAPA system CAN accomodate both teams doing a forfeit savior BUT must comply with all rules such as not using forfeit savior to avoid going over the team handicap.

Situation: You are shooting at the 8 ball and after you shoot the 8 ball you move a ball accidentally. Is it a ball in hand foul? Is it a loss of game? (Aug 12 2020)

Answer: The rule now reads "3.1.6 DID THE SHOOTER ACCIDENTALLY CAUSE A BALL TO MOVE AFTER STRIKING THE CUE BALL AND BEFORE ALL BALLS HAVE COME TO REST? FOUL - The incoming shooter has cue ball in hand. Any object ball(s) that were pocketed shall remain pocketed. If the shooter was shooting at the 8-ball this scenario changes to LOSS OF GAME...see Rule 1.16. So it is a loss of game.

Situation: Is the flat plastic rack known as the Magic Rack legal in NAPA? (Aug 2020)

Answer: "It is only allowed if you have a unanimous "okay" from all of the captains in a team league or players in a singles league. We do not allow the magic rack in any of our national events." So, at this time it is NOT allowed.

Situation: If you are shooting any shot, and scoop the cueball, is it a ball in hand foul? (July 27 2020)

Answer: Here is a rule clarification from NAPA. It is a ball in hand foul. The reason is it is considered a double hit. To be a legal shot only the cue tip can contact the cueball. In a scoop not only the tip contacts the cueball but also either the ferrule or cue stick itself.

Situation: Your opponent changed cues during a game to shoot. Is this legal? (June 2020)

Answer: Currently it is NOT prohibited to change cues in the middle of a game. Also you CANNOT break down your cue to shoot with the just a half cue or the shaft. It is a ball in hand foul.

Situation: Your opponent is shooting the 8 ball and double hits the cue ball but still makes the 8 ball in the called pocket. What is the ruling?

Answer: Any other time you have a double hit it is ball in hand to your opponent. However, in the case of the 8 ball it is loss of game.

Situation: After you shoot your ball tetters on the edge of the pocket but does not go in. After about 1 minute (anything after 5 seconds really), the ball falls. What do you do?

Answer: Rule 9.15 says that if the ball falls into the pocket anytime after 5 seconds it stays down. If it is the 8 ball or cue ball it is placed as close as possible to its original position.

Situation: Teams put up players for match. One team is over handicap limit. Is it a forfeit or do you continue playing?

Answer: It is a forfeit even though NAPAplay allows for the match to continue.

Situation: One team is ready to play at 7 PM. The other team has one person there. When can we declare a forfeit?

Answer: Each team has until 7:15 to start the first match. If one person is there then that person HAS to play. If they do not start a match by 7:15 it is a TEAM forfeit. If one match is ending there is no time between the ending of a match before starting the next match. Common courtesy says to give them no more than 5 minutes to put up the next player. If they don't then it is a TEAM forfeit for that match and the remaining matches. If three matches are complete there is NO waiting period for the next match. If no one shows it is an INDIVIDUAL forfeit. HOWEVER, it is common courtesy that if you know you will only be able to field three players you MUST let the other team captain know so they can make a decision to take the forefeit or schedule a make up match. The make up match must be completed before the next league night.

Situation: One team wants to play on a big table and one team does not. The league was started on bar tables. Can you play on a regulation table instead of a bar table?

Answer: Both captains must agree to play on a big table other than a bar table. However, NAPA says that whatever table the leages starts in that is the table all teams must play. So if it is a bar table league then you must play on bar tables. If you play on big tables for league then that is what you must play.

Situation: The shooter has a very close shot but neither player asks for a third party to watch the hit. After the shot one player says it was a good hit and the other player says it was bad hit. Who is right?

Answer: First, a third party should have been asked to watch the shot. When asking a third party to watch the shot their decision is final. When you do not have a third party watch the shot, and a resolution cannot be made, then the game must be played again. VERY important to get a third party to watch all close or questionable shots.

Situation: After shooting a legal shot the shooter hits another ball with their hand or stick and it is pocketed. Does the ball get spotted and is it a ball in hand foul?

Answer: It is a ball in hand foul and the ball stays down unless it is the 8 ball then it is spotted.

Situation: A foul is committed by the opposing team player but your player does not see it. Who can call a foul?

Answer: Anyone on the team can call a foul.

Situation: While shooting and hitting the correct object ball, the cue ball is coming back to the rail but a player accidently moves another object ball which would have stopped the cue ball in another place on the table and hooked the player on the next shot. So what is the ruling of accidently moving an object ball which would have altered the course of the cue ball if it had not been accidently moved?

Answer: It is interference and is a ball in hand foul.

Situation: You arrive at your opponents home bar and want to use your red dot cue ball instead of the medball for the games. Can you use your ball or do you have to use the mudball?

Answer: Have to use house "mud" ball unless agreed to by other team. The rules state you have to use house balls unless agreed to by the other team. So if there is a mud ball on the table then you have to use that unless both teams agree to use the "red dot" or other cue ball.

Situation: The breaker is not satisfied with the way the player is racking the balls for the break. They continually ask for re-racks.

Answer: Have someone else rack the balls. Do not have the breaker rack their own balls.

Situation: The shooter points to the pocket the winning ball will go in but his cue hits the object ball, does not go in. Is is a foul and ball in hand?

Answer: No. Even though it is game ball it is treated like all other balls that were moved by accident. The other player has the option of leaving it where it is or moving it back. If it was moved back without the other player being able to decide, then it is a foul and ball in hand.

Situation: The breaker has a rackless in progress. However, the foul on a break. Is is a loss of a rackless game?

Answer: Only if the opponent asks for a re-rack after an illegal break.

Situation: The breaker has a rackless in progress. He attempts to break and misses the cueball altogether. Is it a foul and loss of rackless?

Answer: No. It is not a foul unless he hits the cueball therefore he has not lost his rackless.

9 BALL
Situation: Player breaking does not hit the 1 ball. Is that legal?

Answer: No. It is re-racked and the opponent breaks. Ball in hand behind the head string.

Situation: Player breaks makes a ball. They push. Opponent turns shot back to player. Players runs out. Is it a break and run?

Answer: No

Situation: In 9 ball the shooter was shooting for a numbered ball and makes the 9 but NOT any other ball. We all know the 9 should be spotted but does the shooter keep shooting or is it their opponents turn?
Answer: NAPA says even though the game is slop the exception is the 9 ball. The 9 ball is never slop and always has to be called so it does not count as a slopped ball in this instance. The rules state: If the shooter, accidentally pockets the 9-ball, while shooting another ball on the table, and did not call the 9-ball, the 9-ball is to be placed on the foot spot from where the break took place, and the shooter is to continue shooting as long as:
i. A legal shot was made
ii. A ball other than the 9-ball was pocketed
NAPA says BOTH i and ii must be met for the player to continue shooting. See rule 1.9.

Situation: In 9 ball a numbered ball hangs in the pocket for more than 5 seconds then falls. Is it returned to the spot or stays down?
Answer: A hanging ball that falls into a pocket by its self after being motionless for 5 seconds or longer shall remain pocketed and play will continue. If the hanging ball is the 9ball, the 9-ball should be placed on the spot and play continues. If the hanging ball is the cue ball, the cue ball should be replaced as near as possible to their original position immediately prior to the incident.

10 Ball

Situation: The winner of the lag chooses the format. His name is still in the #1 position on the scoresheet. Can he still get a rackless?

Answer: No. If fact, neither player can get a rackless if the winner of the lag chooses the format.

Situation: You are shooting the 1 ball but think you can make the 10 ball. Do you have to call both? What if you call both and make only one?

Answer: In 10 ball you can only call one ball each shot so you would have to choose. Don't forget about the Option Rule.

NAPA	8 BALL	9 BALL	10 BALL
Call Ball/Call Pocket	Yes	Only the 9 is call pocket	Yes
Rack - 1 at Apex	No	Yes. 9 in the middle of triangle.	Yes. 10 in middle of triangle. 2 in the left corner and 3 in the right corner.
Scratch on Break	Ball in hand in kitchen.	Ball in hand anywhere.	Ball in hand anywhere.
Object ball off table ON BREAK	Ball spotted on foot spot. Accept table or shoot from kitchen.	Ball stays down. Ball in hand anywhere.	Ball stays down. Ball in hand anywhere.
Object ball off table NOT on break	Ball spotted on foot spot. Unless 8 ball then loss of game. Ball in hand anywhere.	Ball stays down and ball in hand anywhere.	Ball stays down and ball in hand anywhere.
Illegally pocketed balls	Stays pocketed unless 8 ball then loss of game.	Stays pocketed unless it is the 9 ball.	Stays pocketed unless it is the 10 ball. Play option in affect.
Safeties allowed?	Yes. Ball made, turn over and opponent shoots.	No. Ball made, keep shooting.	No.
Push out allowed?	No.	Yes.	Yes.
Play option.	No.	No.	Yes. Called ball goes in pocket not called or called ball not made but another ball is made. Ball stays down and opponent shoots table as is or gives back to shooter to play. ANYTIME during game.
Breaker commits foul on break. Loses possibility of rackless?	Not unless opponent calls for re-rack.	Not unless opponent calls for re-rack.	Not unless opponent calls for re-rack.