FORUM CLOSING ON 14th JANUARY

The Pool Shark wrote:

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About time too. I expect all the local league will adopt them with the start of their new seasons. Not sure about the lack of a total snooker rule though!

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It's been changed apparenty so in the hope that it's helpful I've summarised the main points of the rules (I think) but obviously the full sheet needs to be read thoroughly for a complete understanding.....

SUMMARY OF BLACKBALL RULES

The player who pockets his or her ‘group’ of object balls, that is reds or yellows, followed by the 8ball wins the frame.

STARTING OFF AND DECIDING GROUPS
The player winning the lag decides who breaks. Break from within baulk.
If the black is potted on the break the same player breaks again.
It is a legal break if at least one ball is potted or two object balls cross an imaginary line joining the centre of the middle pockets. (It is a legal break, but a foul, if the white ball is potted on the break.)
If the break is illegal, the oncoming player receives a free shot (played from where the white lies or from baulk) and an extra visit to the table OR a re-rack followed by an extra visit.
If the black is potted on the break there is a full re-rack and the same player breaks again.
It is called an 'open table' until the allocation of groups is decided.
Your group is NOT determined by any balls potted on the break nor can it be decided which group is yours if a foul shot is played or if you are playing a free shot. Likewise, potting balls from both groups in a combination shot does not determine groups. So, given these conditions, it is only when the player in control pots a ball or balls from only one group in a single shot that the allocation of groups is known.

GENERAL PLAY
After each ball is legally potted the player in control continues with an additional shot until he or she fails to pot a ball, commits a foul or the frame is concluded.
On any shot, unless a ball is potted, it is a foul if the cue ball or any object ball fails to contact a cushion AFTER an 'on' ball has been struck.
The penalty after any foul is that control of the table goes to the opposing player who is entitled to a free shot without nomination. This free shot is taken from where the cue ball stands on the table OR from baulk.
Only position the cue ball by hand if awarded a free shot to be taken from baulk.
Using the cue to position the white is a foul. Play in any direction.
On the award of a free shot the cue ball may be played onto any object ball without penalty and balls from both ‘groups’ may be potted. Note that on a 'free shot' if no balls are potted it is still necessary for at least one ball to strike a cushion after the cue ball strikes an object ball.
At any stage in the game a player must play away from a touching ‘on’ ball which is deemed, because it is touching, to have been played. On playing away from an opponent’s touching ball all of the normal requirements of a legal shot must be met.
If a touching ball is seen to move on striking the cue ball it is a foul.
Players have a maximum of 60 seconds to play each shot.

FOULS
On the break, if two object balls fail to cross an imaginary line joining the centre of the middle pockets it is a foul.
Potting the cue ball at any time during a frame is a foul.
On any shot, unless a ball is potted, it is a foul if the cue ball or any object ball fails to contact a cushion AFTER an 'on' ball has been struck. The exception being successful escape from a snooker, in which case, after impact with the 'on' ball, no balls need strike a cushion.
A foul will also be called if the cue ball does not make initial contact with object balls which are regarded as being 'on' balls at any particular stage of the game.
Pocketing an opponent's ball incurs a foul except where a free table has been awarded or during the execution of a combination shot.
It is also a foul to play a jump shot, a push stroke or to touch the cue ball with any part of the cue other than the tip.
It's a foul to play out of turn or without having a foot on the floor.

COMBINATION SHOT
This is sometimes called the 'Skill Shot'.
After groups have been decided, it is legal to pot both red and yellow balls in the same shot provided you play the ball from your group first. However, at the start, before groups are determined, combination shots are allowed in which balls from either group may be played first.
You may also pot the last ball (or balls) of your group and the black ball on the same shot to win the frame, provided you strike a ball from your group first.
Similarly, if all of the balls from your group have been potted you may play a combination on the black and a ball from your opponent’s group (potting both) provided you initially play the black ball.
But note, if you are awarded a ‘free shot’ you may play the combinations just described above (including black combinations) in which the cue ball may make initial contact with any object ball without penalty, provided you fulfil all other requirements of a legal shot.

LOSS OF FRAME
Potting the black is loss of frame when any balls from your own ‘group’ remain on the table after all balls have come to rest.
Fouling on the shot in which the black ball is potted is loss of frame.
Failing to make a genuine attempt to play a legal shot is a deliberate foul and results in loss of frame.
Playing onto your opponent's ball, unless a free shot or as part of a 'combination', results in loss of frame.
Plus, you may well lose for unsportsmanlike conduct, leaving the playing area without permission, deliberately touching any ball without permission or if some form of coaching is thought to have occurred.

About time too.

I have always thought these were a good set of rules. The escaping snookers thing will be one to watch though.

I like the touch a cushion rule, it makes it slightly harder for people to tuck up.

Also doesn't give the player the "get out of jail card" when they run out of position during an attempted clearance and just tap you in behind their ball.

Glad the breaker doesn't nominate now too.  That rule sucked!

Lets see how they go!

Will we be having a "county day" or "Rules intro day" at Colours to introduce people to the rules prior to playing a competitive match?

Barney wrote:

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I like the skill shot where you can pot your last ball and the black legally.

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Me too that means I can hit the last ball hard and not fear losing the game !

Looks like me and lewis will be ok with the luck we get at these rules.

At least the snooker will be the same for the player snooekered as it is now hit the ball only.

Bets on the first game where someone pots all 15 balls to win the game...osunds like a good bet at the bookies for tournament play should get crazy odds on that one !

Goona be interesting in league play having to replace balls when people are bumped or they drop intoi the pocket accidently...

As per other changes of RULES over the years, I will be reading   these rules from beginning to end and vice versa   then   from the middle outwards. (both ways)  

So I think   what I’m saying is ………………………………..

................................I’ll be READY!!!.  

Reckon a few of the league secretaries are going to need dedicated lines to sort problems out in the first few games later on this year if the leagues convert !

Imagine these in the pub - oh dear.....

PoolQueen wrote:

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 The EPA would never adopt anything to do with the E&UKPF.

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JFK wrote:

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The Chin wrote: Lets see how they go! Will we be having a "county day" or "Rules intro day" at Colours to introduce people to the rules prior to playing a competitive match?     We definately will have a couple of squad practises and maybe a competition in blackball before the new season, which starts mid April btw.  The county trials will be in blackball rules as well.-- Edited by JFK at 14:58, 2006-01-25

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The Pool Shark wrote:

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Magdalen Arms 5-0 Catherine Wheel 'A' I guess that makes us reigning Blackball Champions of Oxford, doesn't it Malc?

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Nice to see that you have won something   at last Ash, and looks like your be the team to beat at these “yet again” new rules.   

JFK wrote:

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The Pool Shark wrote: The result of the first organised Blackball match in Oxford. Magdalen Arms 5-0 Catherine Wheel 'A' I guess that makes us reigning Blackball Champions of Oxford, doesn't it Malc? err Ash .. it was 4-1.

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