Brief Rules of Game Play
How an Evening of Game Play Works
Complete VPL Rules

Brief: Rules of Game Play
If you get to visit one of our Affiliate Bars and play with a member of the VPL, you will most likely encounter the following set of rules. These have been simplified for those who are new to VPL rules.
  • The VPL plays "Call Shot" 8-ball. The shooting player must call the ball and the pocket she/she intends to shoot as well as any rails or other interfering balls that may be contacted.
  • The shooting player must first contact his/her own ball first. Afterwards, any ball on the table must make contact with a rail or it is considered a foul.
  • Jump shots and masse shots at any time, and mixed suit combinations off the break are not allowed.
  • A foul shot results in the opposing player receiving "ball-in-hand," in that he/she may place the cue ball anywhere on the table with exception of a foul off the break when the cue ball is placed anywhere behind the head string.
  • The game is won when a player has legally pocketed all his/her balls and then legally pockets the 8-ball. Scratching into a pocket, sinking an opponents ball, or shooting the ball off the table when shooting at the 8-ball results in a loss of game.

Brief: How An Evening of Gameplay Works


Complete: Rules of Play
Section 8.0 of the VPL By-Laws
(Last approved by membership on June 1, 2009)


8 – RULES OF PLAY

8.00 THE BREAK

Lag:
  • Players simultaneously shoot a ball from behind the head-string (see 8.06 DEFINITIONS), banking it off the foot rail and back to the head of the table. It is permissible to strike the head rail.
  • If the lagged balls make contact with each other, the lag is re-done.
  • Striking a side rail or any pocket results in loss of the lag.
  • The player with the ball closest to the head rail wins the choice of whether to break.
  • After the first game, the break alternates between players.
Racking:
  • After the home team gathers the balls to the rack, the breaking player is offered the option to set the rack.
  • The balls are racked with the 8-ball in the center of the triangle, the first ball of the rack on the foot spot.
  • Legal Break:
  • The cue ball must make direct contact with any of the front three balls in the rack. It cannot come off the rail into the rack.
  • Otherwise the break is illegal.
  • At least four balls from the rack must hit the rails or a ball must be pocketed. Otherwise the break is illegal.
  • If an illegal break occurs, the balls are re-racked and broken by the same player unless the illegal break results in a scratch (see 8.06 DEFINITIONS) or the cue ball goes to the floor. The scratch or foul results in a re-rack and break by the opposing player.
  • If the eight ball is pocketed, the balls are re-racked and broken by the same player.
  • If a legal break fails to happen after three attempts, the opposing player breaks.
8.01 IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BREAK
  • The table is open (see 8.06 DEFINITIONS) after the break, even if balls are pocketed.
  • If a ball is pocketed on the break, the player who broke continues to play.
  • If no balls are pocketed on the break, the opposing player plays.
  • If the cue ball goes to the floor or a scratch occurs on a legal break, the opposing player has ‘ball in hand’ (see 8.06 DEFINITIONS) behind the head-string. The object ball (see 8.06 DEFINITIONS) can be any ball that is outside the head-string.
    • NOTE: If a ball is dead centre the head-string, it is playable. If the two players cannot agree on a ball being ‘in’ or ‘out’, the team captains are consulted and that decision is final. If there is a failure to agree, a flip of a coin will decide the issue.
8.02 LEGAL SHOTS
  • The player hits one of his/her suit (see 8.06 DEFINITIONS) first and either pockets a numbered ball or causes any ball to contact a rail (see 8.03 FOUL SHOTS).
  • Players must specify the banks and/or combinations and/or caroms (see 8.06 DEFINITIONS) that will occur for each shot. NOTE: The ball to be pocketed may touch either rail attached to that pocket before going in without those rails being called.
  • If you sink your ball(s) as called, you continue to shoot.
  • If you fail to sink your ball(s) as called, it is a loss of turn.
      NOTE THESE TERMS:

    • Kick Shot: It is legal to bank the cue ball off a rail before contacting the object ball.
    • Frozen Ball: If the object ball is or appears to be touching the rail (i.e. it is frozen), clarify its status before shooting. After hitting an object ball that is frozen, you must pocket it or bounce any ball off another rail (see 8.03 FOUL SHOTS).
    • Split Shot: It is legal to hit two of your balls at the same time. If a shot is close to being a split shot involving opposite suits, the team captains should be asked to watch the shot to ensure it is legal (see 8.03 FOUL SHOTS).
    • Safety Shot (Just a Shot): A safety shot means the shooter is forfeiting the next shot to the opponent. This is true even if a ball is pocketed. A pocketed ball remains in the pocket.
    • Ball Bounces Back Out of Pocket: If a ball goes into a pocket and bounces back onto the playing surface, it is not considered pocketed. If it is the eight ball, it is neither a win nor a loss. If it is the cue ball, it is not a scratch.
    • Accidentally Moving a Ball or Balls: Other than the cue ball (see 8.03 FOUL SHOTS), it is not a foul to accidentally move a ball, including the eight ball, when attempting a shot. If balls are accidentally moved before a shot is taken, the opponent has the option of replacing the balls that were moved. If balls are accidentally moved during the shot, when all balls have stopped rolling, the opponent has the option of replacing the balls that were moved.
8.03 FOUL SHOTS

The following are fouls that result in a loss of turn:
  • Any numbered ball is knocked to the floor. The ball is spotted on the foot spot (see 8.06 DEFINITIONS). If that spot is taken, then the ball is placed on a line directly behind that spot as close to the spot as possible. Any balls pocketed while simultaneously knocking another ball to the floor remain pocketed.

      NOTE: If the eight ball is knocked to the floor, see 8.04 LOSS OF GAME.

  • If you sink your ball(s) as called and also sink an opponent’s ball(s) and/or more of your balls. The balls remain pocketed.
The following are fouls that result in a loss of turn and a "ball in hand" anywhere for the opponent. NOTE: Before touching the cue ball, obtain your opponent’s consent for the "ball in hand."
  • You scratch.
  • The cue ball is knocked to the floor.
  • The cue ball hits your opponent’s ball first.
  • Where a ball is frozen to the rail, you fail to sink it or bounce any ball off another rail.
  • You hit your ball and an opponent’s ball at the same time (illegal split shot).
  • The cue ball does not touch another ball. It is not a loss of game if the missed ball is the eight ball.
  • A ball fails to hit a rail after the cue ball contacts the object ball, unless a ball is pocketed.
  • You miscue (see 8.06 DEFINITIONS) and fail to make a legal shot.
  • You accidentally move another ball when placing the cue ball on the table. Be very careful when placing the cue ball in a "ball in hand" situation.
  • You pocket balls while backstroking. The balls remain pocketed. If it is the eight ball, the game is replayed.
  • A jump shot (see 8.06 DEFINITIONS).
  • A massé shot (see 8.06 DEFINITIONS).
  • You receive coaching (see 8.06 DEFINITIONS) other than when permitted by the rules.
  • A player shoots the cue ball when it was placed in position by the coach or someone else.
8.04 LOSS OF GAME
  • The eight ball is knocked to the floor.
  • The eight ball is pocketed before a player has pocketed all of his/her suit.
  • The eight ball is pocketed along with another ball.
  • The eight ball is pocketed in an uncalled pocket.
  • The player scratches when shooting the eight ball.
  • The player pockets an opponent’s ball(s) when shooting the eight ball.
  • A player alters the course of any moving ball.
8.05 WINNING THE GAME 8.05 WINNING THE GAME
  • All the balls of the player’s suit have been pocketed followed by the eight ball.
  • Players will play consecutive games until one player has won two games.
  • Scoring: One point per suit ball; eight points for the eight ball.
8.06 DEFINITIONS
  • A "ball in hand" means the player may place the cue ball anywhere on the table and shoot any object ball he/she chooses, unless a ‘ball in hand’ behind the head-string rule applies. After placing the cue ball, a player may, if not satisfied with the placement, make further adjustments by hand or with the cue stick.
  • A carom shot involves glancing one ball off of another.
  • In each game, coaching is allowed once on object balls and once on the eight ball. Only the player can initiate coaching.
  • In a combination shot, the player is attempting to pocket a ball other than the object ball, both of which must be the player’s suit. Any balls, including the eight ball, can be used in combination with the player’s two balls in making the intended shot.
  • The foot spot is the point on which the front ball in the rack is placed at the foot of the table.
  • Hanging Ball: A ball that has been hanging on a pocket for more than five seconds that suddenly falls in is to be placed back on the table on the foot spot.
  • The head-string is the imaginary line that connects the centres of the second two diamonds from the head of the table.
  • A jump shot causes the cue ball to go over top of a ball that is blocking the object ball.
  • A massé shot causes the cue ball to curve around a ball that is blocking the object ball.
  • A miscue is where the cue tip does not hit the cue ball squarely and glances off, driving the cue ball off its desired course.
  • The object ball is the ball that you are trying to hit with the cue ball.
  • An open table means the player has choice of suit.
  • A scratch occurs if the player pockets the cue ball or drives the cue ball off the table.
  • The two suits are the stripes (high balls) and the solids (low balls).


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