The Pool Players League is an association of pool teams consisting of amateur players. The League was created for players by players and uses conventional tournament-type rules for simplicity, competitive fairness, and to promote the pool playing experience. The League will have a Rules Committee comprised of team captains to decide league matters. The League s game night is Wednesdays and lasts 16 weeks with 3 weeks of playoffs. League Rules The League format is 8 Ball utilizing standard and conventional professional tournament-type rules with a fair handicap system. Teams consist of 5-10 players and are ranked with skill levels from 2 to 7. 5 players per team play per match and CANNOT exceed 25 skill level points. A team that violates this rule in a given match will incur a forfeit for the entire match and no points will be awarded. All pockets must be called. Jump shots are NOT permitted.
Masse shots are legal. Every player gets 1 time out per game and is limited to 1 minute. It is not permitted to talk to a shooting player, unless a time out is called. Asking a player to talk or any other interruption will result in a time out to be assessed. Shots are limited to 45 seconds per shot. Players must play at least 4 matches to be eligible for the playoffs, 5 matches for new players to the league. All players and team supporters are expected to act in a sportsmanship-like manner; any violations will result in deduction of points to the team at fault. Sharking and intimidation will not be tolerated. First offense is a warning; second offense will result in a suspension. The Rules Committee reserves the authority at its discretion to remove a player at any time. Players are expected to disclose their skill level from other leagues he/she has played in. Known players (pool is a small community) will be adequately ranked. Genuine new players will start; women at 3, men at 4, and as the season progresses will be adjusted accordingly. A sheet with player ranks, standings, and schedule will be provided for all teams (updated weekly). The Rules Committee reserves the authority at its discretion to adjust a player s handicap at any given time. Late sheets and/or weekly dues result in 1 point deduction each from the team s total. Game starts at 8pm, every 20 minutes after can result in one point deduction on the late team s final score.
Reschedules must be done at least one day prior to the game and will be played at the convenience of the team whom was ready to play. GAME RULES 1. Coin Toss: A. At the start of the match, team captains will flip a coin. The winner of the coin toss will decide which team puts up the first player. 1. The Lag: A. Both opposing players must lag. B. Player with the closest ball to the near rail wins the lag and has the option to break. C. A ball hitting a rail or falling into a pocket results in a loss of lag. 1. The Break: A. A Legal break is hitting the cue ball behind the second diamond of the table and hitting either the head ball or the second row of the rack. B. At least FOUR balls must hit a rail. C. A miscue or when at least FOUR balls don t hit a rail can be re-racked. D. A player has three chances to legally break, if unable, the opposing player gains the break. E. On the break a foul is committed when the cue ball scratches or falls off the table resulting in a loss of turn and the opposing player has ball in hand behind the second diamond opposite of the rack. F. On the break a foul is committed when an object ball falls of the table resulting in loss of turn. The fallen ball is dropped and the opposing player has choice.
G. On the break a loss of game occurs when the cue ball scratches or falls off the table AND the eight ball is pocketed or falls off the table. H. Winners break. 1. Pocketing balls: A. After the break, if two or more different balls (high and low) are pocketed, the player has the choice of attempting to pocket either high or low ball. B. After the break, if no balls are pocketed, the opposing player gains a turn at the table in a choice situation. C. If a player has choice, the player has an option of hitting any ball to pocket the desired ball provided the pocketed ball and its intended pocket is called. D. After a player has established the choice of balls, the player MUST call the particular intended ball to be pocketed as well as the pocket. E. The player must hit the object ball or his choice of balls FIRST, if not, a foul has occurred and the opposing player gets ball in hand, where the opposing player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table. F. Object balls including the eight ball DO NOT have to be pocketed cleanly (i.e. Billiard or Carom shot), provided the intended pocket is called. G. Failure to pocket the intended ball results in loss of turn. H. Cue ball fouls occur when the cue ball is inadvertently moved by a hand, cue, or clothing, which also include miscues without touching an object ball resulting in a ball in hand. I. Balls inadvertently moved other than the cue ball is NOT a foul and may be moved back to its original spot at the discretion of the opposing player.
J. Any ball hit off the table (except the eight ball) is a loss of turn and is pocketed with the opposing player gaining ball in hand. 5. Defense and Safety A. All safety and defensive shots must be called. B. A legal defensive shot must include the cue ball hitting the shooting player s object ball FIRST, causing the cue ball, object ball, or any ball touched by the cue ball or object ball (after the initial legal hit) to contact a rail. C. When shooting at the eight ball, a legal safety occurs when the cue ball hits the eight ball FIRST, causing the cue ball, eight ball, or any ball touched by the cue ball or eight ball (after the initial legal hit) to contact a rail. D. Failure to contact a rail results in the opposing player gaining ball in hand. E. Failure of a player to hit their own ball first results in the opposing player gaining ball in hand. F. A loss of game occurs when a player initiates 3 consecutive safeties with the intent of giving 'ball in hand' for the opposing player. 6.The Eight Ball A. The eight ball and the intended pocket must be called. B. The eight ball DOES NOT have to be pocketed cleanly. C. When a player is left with the eight ball and fails to hit it FIRST or touch a rail, the player DOES NOT LOSE, see 5B,5C. D. A loss of game occurs when attempting to pocket the eight ball and the cue ball scratches or falls off the table at any time. E. A loss of game occurs any time the eight ball is pocketed when it s not intended or any time a shot results in the eight ball to fall off the table.
F. A loss of game occurs when attempting to pocket the eight ball and the opposing player s ball is hit FIRST, causing the eight ball to be pocketed, even if that pocket is called. Handicap System Use the chart to determine amount of games to be won: Difference in Skill Level 0 -> 1 -> 2 -> 3 -> 4 and up-> Race 2 vs 2: race to 2 3 vs 3: race to 2 3 vs 2: race 3/2 4 vs 4: race to 3 4 vs 3: race 3/2 4/4 4/3 4/2 5/2 6/2 Examples: 2 vs. 2, the rank difference is 0, the race is 2/2 3 vs. 2, the rank difference is 1, the race is 3/2 4 vs. 3, the rank difference is 1, the race is 3/2 6 vs. 3, the rank difference is 3, the race is 5/2 A 6 vs. 5; the rank difference is 1; the race is 4/3. A 7 vs. 7, the rank difference is 0, the race is 4/4.