WPFG Abridged Rules
| Pocket Billiards |
GUIDING BODIES
World Police and Fire Games Federation (WPFGF) International Billiards & Snooker Federation (IBSF) World Professional Billiards & Snooker Association (WPBSA) Billiard Congress of America EVENTS
All events are UNISEX – OPEN. Individual competition (only) in: NINE BALL FACILITY
FOR 9-BALL, 8-BALL & STRAIGHT POOL: The facility must contain a minimum of 20 Pocket Billiard tables with dimensions of 9' x 4.5' (2.74M x 1.37M). FOR SNOOKER: Table measurements are 11’ 8 1/2” x 5’ 10” (3.569 M x 1.778 M). Height of table shall be between 2’ 9 1/2” to 2’ 10 1/2” (85.1 cm to 87.6 cm). BRACKETING
8 and 9-Ball: Double Elimination Snooker: Round Robin (Group Play); top 2 players in each group go on to a Single Elimination tournament. SCHEDULING
5 days, or more, of play are needed. (Snooker may require 4 days.) Day 1: 9-Ball competition. Day 2: 8-Ball competition. Days 3, 4 & 5: Straight Pool [Snooker competition will require a 6th day]. Play to begin no later than 0900. DAY 1: 9-Ball (IBSF Rules). Allow approximately 12 hours to complete day. DAY 2: 8-Ball (IBSF Rules). Allow approximately 10 hours to complete this day. DAY 3: Straight Pool (14.1) or Snooker - Complete all preliminary matches this day. DAY 4: Straight Pool (14.1) or Snooker - Complete all Quarter-final and DAY 5: Straight Pool (14.1) or Snooker- Finals; allow 3 hours. DAY 6: Snooker may have a slightly different tournament timetable SCORING
9 - BALL: Preliminary matches: First competitor to win 5 matches (race to 5). Quarter Finals: First competitor to win 6 matches (race to 6). Semi-Finals: First competitor to win 7 matches (race to 7). Finals: First competitor to win 8 matches (race to 8). 8 - BALL: Preliminary Matches: First competitor to win 3 matches (race to 3). Semi-Finals: First competitor to win 5 matches (race to 5). Finals: First competitor to win 6 matches (race to 6). STRAIGHT POOL (14.1): Preliminary matches; DAY 1: Quarter-finals & Semi-finals; DAY 2: Final matches; DAY 3: All matches to 150 points. GENERAL SPORT RULES for Pocket Billiards
Rules specifically provide for unsportsmanlike penalties to be imposed by the tournament director. Non-shooting player is to remain in the chair designated as the player's chair. Violation of this rule will result in forfeiture of the game for unsportsmanlike conduct. The rule of fouling an object ball accidentally will be waived in the absence of a formal referee or an impartial third person. It is unfair for the shooting player to bend over the table for his/her shot and to have his/her opponent then declare "your shirt or your jacket or some other part of you" touched an object ball. The shooter has no defense against this type of charge mainly because he/she neither can see it (the head and eyes are well ahead of the body) nor can he/she feel this declared violation. All professional games abide by the "Foul on the Cue Ball Only" rule except where a referee or impartially third person is in charge. Accidentally moved object ball/balls (without a referee): Deliberate/intentional disturbance of any object ball/balls is subject to immediate disqualification AND loss of that game AND possible total disqualification from further tournament participation. All games must begin promptly at the designated hour. No exceptions. As these events are Double Elimination, said late player will be marked "forfeited" and his/her name moved to the loser side of the bracketing. Tournament Director to see that no player is compelled to play two consecutive matches on the same table without the consent of both players. SPECIAL NOTES FOR RULE OF PLAY: SIMULTANEOUS HITS Nine Ball - A legal shot requires that the cue ball's first contact be with the lowest numbered ball on the table. Therefore when the possibility of a simultaneous hit presents itself (and no referee is officiating) it will be the responsibility of the shooter to request that an independent/neutral observer approach the table (as close as possible) without interfering with the shooter and stand in such a manner that he/she is able to view both balls in question. His/Her eyes to be as near as possible directly over the object ball to be struck first and thus render a decision as to the legality of the hit. The observer’s decision will be final. Eight Ball - Once a player has qualified to be either on "solids" or "stripes", his/her initial contact by the cue ball must be with said declaration of "solid" or "stripe". No simultaneous hits. Therefore, as in Nine Ball, the shooter is to call for an independent observer whose decision will again be final.
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