🎱 Blackball Pool Rules

1. What Is Blackball?

Blackball is the official name of the game. Players are expected to compete in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. The referee is the sole authority on fair and unfair play and may take any action necessary to ensure the rules are followed.

 

2. Equipment & Table Layout

Blackball is played on a six-pocket rectangular table with six cushions.

✅ Permitted Equipment:

  • Cue Ball: White

  • Object Balls:

    • Seven red (or blue) and seven yellow balls

    • Alternatively, balls numbered 1–7 and 9–15

  • Black Ball: Number 8

  • Mechanical Bridges: Spider, goose-neck, and cross rests

  • Accessories: Cues, extenders, chalk, gloves, and powder

No other equipment is permitted unless ratified by the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

📐 Table Markings:

  • Playing Surface: Flat area bordered by cushions

  • Black Spot: Located at the intersection of two imaginary diagonal lines joining the center and corner pockets

  • Baulk Line: A straight line drawn 1/5th of the table’s length from cushion to cushion, parallel to the cushion furthest from the black spot

  • Baulk Area: The rectangular zone bordered by the baulk line and three cushions

 

3. Objective of the Game

The goal is simple:

  • Pocket all object balls from your assigned group (red or yellow), in any order

  • Then legally pot the black ball to win the game

Section 4: Commencement of the Game or a Re-Start

 

🔹 4.1 Opening Break & Lagging Procedure

Team League, Cup & 3 Man K/O Matches:

  • All frames are determined by a lag. The winner of the lag chooses who breaks.

Singles & Doubles K/O Matches:

  • The opening break is determined by a lag. The winner of the lag chooses who breaks.

  • Breaks alternate in subsequent frames, unless a deciding frame is required whereby the break is determined by a lag, except in the case of a re-rack due to slow or negative play (see Rule 8g).

🏁 Lagging Rules:

  • Use two cue balls (or two object balls if unavailable), placed behind the baulk line.

  • Players stand on opposite sides and strike simultaneously toward the top cushion.

  • The ball closest to the baulk cushion wins.

❌ Automatic Loss of Lag:

  • Ball crosses into opponent’s half

  • Fails to contact top cushion

  • Drops into a pocket

  • Jumps off the table

  • Touches a side cushion

  • Comes to rest inside a pocket area past the baulk cushion

If both players commit lag fouls or the result is unclear, the lag is repeated.

 

🔹 4.2 The Rack

  • Balls are arranged in a triangle with the black ball on the black spot.

 

🔹 4.3 The Break

  • The cue ball is played from baulk toward the racked balls.

  • A frame begins when the cue tip contacts the cue ball.

✅ Legal Break:

  • A ball is potted, or

  • At least two object balls fully cross an imaginary line between the center pockets

❌ Illegal Break:

  • Opponent receives a free shot + one visit

  • Cue ball may be played from its position or from baulk

  • Alternatively, a re-rack may be called

 

🔹 4.4 Playing from Baulk

  • Cue ball must be placed by hand within baulk

  • Adjustments allowed until a shot is played

  • Touching the cue ball with the cue tip counts as a shot

  • Cue ball may be played in any direction

⚠️ It is a foul if the cue ball touches another ball during placement.

 

🔹 4.5 Black Ball Potted on Break or Re-Rack

  • Balls are re-racked, and the same player breaks again

  • No penalty incurred, even if other balls are potted or leave the table

 

🔹 4.6 Deciding Groups on an Open Table

The table remains open:

  • After a break

  • After a foul

  • During a free shot

  • If both groups are potted in a combination shot

Once a player pots a ball from a single group, they are assigned that group for the frame. The opponent takes the opposite group.

 

🔹 4.7 Deciding Groups After a Foul

  • Balls potted during a foul are ignored for group assignment

  • Incoming player faces an open table and receives a free shot

  • Cue ball may be played from its position or from baulk

 

🔹 4.8 Continuing Play

Players continue their turn if:

  • They pot a ball legally

  • They do not commit a foul

Turn ends if:

  • No ball is potted

  • A foul is committed

 

🔹 4.9 Cue Ball in Hand

  • Cue ball may be placed anywhere within baulk

  • Must follow legal placement rules (see 4.4)

 

🔹 4.10 Touching Balls

  • If touching an “on” ball: player is deemed to have played it

  • Legal shot requires either a pot or any ball contacting a cushion

  • If touching a ball not “on”: player must play away and meet legal shot requirements

  • If touching multiple balls and no legal shot is possible: stalemate (see 4.18)

Moving a touching ball during the shot is a foul.

 

🔹 4.11 Combination Shots

  • Multiple object balls may be potted in a single shot

  • Legal if initial contact is with a ball from the player’s group

Examples:

  • Potting both groups after contacting own group ball

  • Potting final group ball and black ball in

⚠️ Section 5: Fouls

A foul results in loss of turn and may lead to further penalties depending on the situation.

Common Fouls

  • 5a. Potting the Cue Ball (‘In-Off’): Includes the break shot. Cue ball may be recovered from the basket.

  • 5b. Playing Outside Baulk: When required to play within baulk.

  • 5c. Potting Opponent’s Ball: Without potting your own group ball or the black (if “on”), unless the table is open.

  • 5d. Failing to Perform a Legal Shot:

    • Cue ball must first contact an “on” ball, then:

      • Pot an “on” ball, or

      • Cause any ball to contact a cushion

    • Exception: escaping a snooker (see 5g)

Specific Infractions

  • 5e. Jump Shots: Cue ball jumps over another ball without legal contact.

  • 5f. Push Strokes: Cue tip remains in contact after forward motion begins.

  • 5g. Failure to Escape Snooker: Must contact an “on” ball; cushion contact not required.

  • 5h. Striking Cue Ball Improperly: Using any part of the cue other than the tip.

  • 5i. Playing Before Balls Stop: All balls must come to rest before next shot.

  • 5j. Playing Before Re-Spotting: Balls requiring re-spotting must be replaced first.

  • 5k. Playing Out of Turn

  • 5m. Double Hits: Cue tip contacts cue ball more than once in a shot.

  • 5n. No Foot on Floor: Except for players with physical disabilities.

  • 5p. Touching a Ball: With body, clothing, accessories, or cue (except tip during legal shot)

Equipment responsibility lies with the player. If personal equipment causes interference, it’s a foul. Tournament-supplied equipment is exempt.

 

🚫 Section 6: Penalty After a Foul

6a. Loss of Control

  • Offending player loses next visit

  • Opponent receives:

    • Free shot

    • One additional visit

6b. Free Shot Rules

  • Table is open

  • No nomination required

  • Player may:

    • Pot opponent’s balls

    • Use combination shots

    • Play black ball onto any group

    • Pot black ball only if it is “on”

6c. Cue Ball Placement

  • May be played from baulk or where it lies

  • Moving cue ball within baulk does not count as a shot or visit

 

❌ Section 7: Loss of Frame Fouls

These fouls result in immediate loss of frame:

  • 7a. Foul While Potting the Black

  • 7b. Potting the Black With Group Balls Remaining

  • 7c. Deliberate Foul:

    • Playing a ball not “on”

    • Failing to attempt a legal shot

  • 7d. Touching or Picking Up a Ball Without Permission

  • 7e. Preventing Cue Ball from Going In-Off

  • 7f. Disrupting Opponent’s Play Deliberately

 

🏆 Section 8: Tournament & League Guidelines

8a. Timed Shots (Please Note: This is for guidance only and will not be formally put in place or adhered to for the 25/26 Season)

  • Players have 60 seconds per shot

  • Referee announces “30 seconds” warning

  • Delay in recovering cue ball may trigger timing

  • Time Out allowed for:

    • Requesting rest/bridge

    • Obstruction

    • Touching ball decision

8b. Unsportsmanlike Conduct

May result in loss of frame or match. Examples:

  • Foul language

  • Throwing or unscrewing cue

  • Arguing with officials

  • Interfering with opponent’s shot

  • Failing to clear the table area

8c. Coaching

  • Advice from others is prohibited

  • Referee may award frame to opponent if compromised

8d. Leaving the Playing Area

  • Requires referee permission

  • Bathroom breaks allowed between frames if no referee present

8e. Rule Clarification

  • Referee may explain rules

  • Cannot offer tactical advice

  • Players are responsible for knowing the rules

8f. Excessive Time

  • Referee ensures pace of play

  • Local rules may apply if timing rule is not enforced

8g. Re-Racks for Negative Play

  • Use 9-ball rack: remove apex ball and back five

  • Players lag to determine who breaks

8h. Doubles Play

  • Communication during shots is unsporting

  • Governed by competition rules

8i. Playing Without a Referee

  • Disputes must be referred to officials before next shot

  • Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of frame or match