International 8-Ball Rules

All equipment that is generally accepted throughout the industry is permitted. No other equipment is allowed unless ratified by the Tournament Director.

Equipment permitted:

• A spotted white (cue ball)
• Two groups of object balls: seven reds and seven yellows
• A striped eight-ball
• Spider, rest, and extended rest with cross rest
• Prescribed cues

International eight-ball pool is played on a six-pocket rectangular table with six cushions. The playing surface is the flat part of the table bordered by the cushions.

The game is played with a spotted cue ball and fifteen object balls: seven red, seven yellow and a striped eight-ball. One player must pocket all balls of one group, while the other player must pocket the alternate coloured balls. The player who pockets their entire group and then legally pockets the eight-ball wins the game.

A “Lag for Break” shall determine who breaks first with an alternating break format taking place thereafter. The winner of the lag is given the choice to break or not.

Lagging

• Both balls shall be of equal size and weight
• To start the lag the referee will count the players in by counting back from 3 to 1
• The players shall simultaneously strike balls (on the referee’s indication) towards the top cushion

The player whose ball is closest to the bottom cushion wins. If they don’t strike simultaneously and one player’s ball strikes the top cushion before the other, it will result in both players lagging again.

The following are standard fouls:

1. Potting the cue ball — “In Off”
2. Playing from outside baulk when obliged to play from baulk
3. A player who plays a shot immediately after playing a foul, or immediately after the referee has called a foul on that player
4. Accidentally striking the cue ball with any part of the cue other than the tip
5. Accidentally striking any ball other than the cue ball with any part of the cue or cue tip
6. Playing a shot before all balls have come to rest from the previous shot
7. Playing a shot before any balls that require re-spotting have been re-spotted or replaced
8. Coaching during a frame (a player is required to play without receiving any advice)
9. Leaving the playing area during a frame or match without permission
10. Push shot (cue tip remains in contact with the cue ball after it has commenced forward motion)
11. Double-hitting the cue ball
12. Failing to perform a “Legal Shot”
13. Playing a shot while having at least one foot off the floor
14. Failing to “Play Away” from a touching ball
15. A ball that remains off the playing surface

The following result in loss of the frame:

1. Deliberately not playing a ball from their own group first, or an “on” ball after a foul
2. Unsporting behaviour / bringing the game into disrepute
3. Committing a foul in the same shot that the eight-ball is potted (except on the break)
4. Potting the eight-ball when balls of the player’s own group are still on the table (except on the break)
5. A player who clearly and intentionally fails to make an attempt to play a ball(s) of their own group
6. Potting the eight-ball illegally, then proceed to move the remaining balls before they have come to rest
7. Deliberately striking the cue ball with any part of the cue other than the tip in general play
8. Deliberately striking any ball other than the cue ball with any part of the cue or cue tip
9. Deliberately moving a ball(s) other than playing as part of a shot

A frame is won when the eight-ball is potted on a legal shot and all the balls have come to rest or in a case of “frame forfeiture”.