(Please keep a copy of these rules next to the pool table during Competition matches)

Please also see the General Rules, which apply to all games of pool played in the Hua Hin Pool Leagues

1. THE GAME
8-Ball Pool is played with a cue ball, the 8-Ball and fourteen object balls. The objects balls are numbered 1 through 7 (solids, spots, lows or smalls), and 9 through 15 (stripes, highs or bigs). One player must pot balls of one group while the other player has to pot the balls from the other group. The player who pots his group first and then legally pots the 8-Ball wins the game. For general rules of pool please refer to the Hua Hin General Rules document.
2. RACK CONFIGURATION.
See Explanation of table layout below
2.1. The balls MUST be positioned in a similar manner to that shown in the photograph. The numbers excepting the 8-Ball are irrelevant for this game.
2.2. A stripe must be placed where a stripe is shown on the photographand the spot must be placed where a spot is shown.
2.3. The apex ball (9-ball in this picture) must be positioned on the footspot.
2.4. The 8-Ball must be placed in the centre of the pack.
2.5. The balls must be packed as tightly as possible.
3. THE BREAK.
The D has no significance in pool and the break can be taken from anywhere behind the headstring.
The breaker MUST NOT:
3.1. Fail to shoot the cue ball from anywhere behind the headstring up-table and make first contact with the apex ball.
3.2. Hit any cushion before contact with the apex ball.
3.3. Fail to pot a ball OR drive at least two object balls on to the cushions.
All fouls detailed in 3.1 through 3.3 result in a penalty detailed below in 6.1
3.4. Pot or knock the cue ball from the table (i.e. scratch).
Penalty detailed in 6.2.
3.5. Knock any object ball from the table.
Penalty detailed in 6.3.
3.6. Pot the 8-Ball.
Penalty detailed in 6.4.
4. CHOICE OF GROUP.
OPEN & CLOSEDTABLE: The table is OPEN when the choice of groups has not yet been determined. The commitment to a group is NEVER determined on the break. The table always remains OPEN immediately after the break shot no matter what balls have been potted. When the table is OPEN it is legal to make first contact with any ball except the 8-Ball. The table remains OPEN until a player legally pots an object ball or balls of one group only on a shot after the break shot. The table remains OPEN if the shooter pots balls from both groups or if he pots a ball on an illegal shot. To change the table from OPEN to CLOSED, a player must pot a ball or balls from the same group on a legal shot. From that point onwards the table is CLOSED and the player is committed to that group and the opponent is committed to the other group.

5. LEGAL SHOT.
The Player MUST NOT:
5.1. Fail to pot at least one object ball, OR hit the cushion with any ball after the cue ball has struck the object ball. The ball that hits the cushion could be the cue ball, the players own ball, the opponent’s ball or even the 8-ball.
5.2. Fail to make first contact with an object ball of his own group when the table is CLOSED, or either group if the table is OPEN.
5.3. Make contact first with the 8-Ball unless all of his own group are already potted.
5.4. Knock any ball off the table.
5.5. Touch any other ball other than the cue ball with the cue or any ball with body or clothing.
5.6. Pot a ball from the wrong group.
5.7. Pot the 8-Ball when any ball or balls from their own group ball are still on the table.
5.8. Scratch.
5.9. Touch the cue ball on the table until it is stationary and it has been agreed by both parties that a foul has been committed. The opponent should pick up the cue ball, not the player that has fouled.
All fouls detailed in 5.1 rough 5.9 result in a penalty detailed below in 6.5
6. PENALTY SHOTS.
6.1. For foul shots detailed in 3.1, 3.2 & 3.3, immediately after the break the incoming player can either take the table as it is and continue shooting
OR
order a re-rack and choose who will take the break.
6.2. On a scratch on a break (3.4) the incoming player can either:
Place the cue ball behind the headstring and take the table as is. He must not hit any ball that is behind the headstring unless the cue ball has passed then headstring first and retuned from a cushion.
OR
order a re-rack and then choose who will take the break.
6.3. If the breaker knocks an object ball from the table. (3.5) the incoming player can take the table as is and continue shooting
OR
order a re-rack and then choose who will take the break.
6.4. If the 8-Ball is potted there will be a re-rack with the same breaker breaking again.
6.5. In shots during normal play (i.e. not on the break), the opponent gets ball in hand. The cue ball can be placed anywhere on the table and the cue ball can be shot in any direction.
7. PLAYING THE 8-BALL.
7.1. The pocket must be nominated clearly ensuring that the player’s captain and the opposing captain are in no doubt as to which pocket has been selected.
7.2. Any foul when the 8-Ball IS potted means loss of game.
7.3. Any foul when the 8-Ball IS NOT potted results in ball in hand for the opponent.