8-Ball Pool League Rules

This league prioritizes fun, pace of play, and sportsmanship over strict technical enforcement.  

1. League Format

• Each week, teams will play a best-of-three match of 8-ball against another team.

• Matches should be completed within one hour.

• You will receive 1 point for each win of the match. Points will be reported to the league coordinator at the end of the match. These points will determine league standings and end of season playoff brackets.

2. Match Play & Time Limit

• If a match is not decided within one hour, the current game will be decided by counting the number of pocketed balls by each team.

• The team that has pocketed more balls in the current game will be declared the winner of that game.

• If the ball count is tied, the game is a draw, and the match stands as completed.

3. Rules of 8-Ball

• Standard BCA (Billiard Congress of America) 8-ball rules apply except as specifically modified below.

• Play Rock, Paper, Scissors to determine which team breaks.

• The winner of each game breaks the next game.

• The 8-ball must be legally pocketed to win the game.

Slop Shots

A slop shot is a ball pocketed in any way other than intended. IE going in the wrong pocket, bouncing off more rails than intended, or the wrong ball going in a pocket, (unless the intended one also goes in).

Players must decide before the game whether slop shots result in continued play or the end of the turn.

Scratches: Definitions & Penalties

For league play, scratches are divided into Table Scratches and Regular Scratches.

A. Table Scratch:

A table scratch is any scratch or foul where the cue ball remains on the table. Examples:
 

• The cue ball does not contact any ball on a shot, or

• The cue ball strikes an opponent's ball first (unless the table is open), or

• The cue ball contacts an object ball but no rail is contacted and no ball is pocketed (standard “no rail” foul). Cue ball contacting a rail counts.

A table scratch will result in end of turn, and opponent will play where the cue ball lays. (NOT ball in hand)

If an object ball, (not the cue ball) leaves the table, it will be considered a table scratch, resulting in the end of the turn. The object ball will then be placed in the foot spot, or the nearest available rack position on the table.

Any foul not specifically defined as a Regular Scratch will be treated as a Table Scratch (end of turn, no ball in hand).  

A table scratch on the 8-ball will NOT result in an automatic loss of the game.

B. Regular scratch

A regular scratch is defined by:

•  

  • The cue ball is pocketed, or

• The cue ball leaves the table

For a regular scratch, the opposing team can place the cue ball anywhere on the table (ball in hand). If both teams prefer to play "In the kitchen," this should be determined before the start of play.

A regular scratch on the 8-ball WILL result in an automatic loss of the game.

4. Missed Games & Player Substitutions

• If you cannot make your scheduled game, it will be considered a forfeit. 

• If your team partner cannot make a game you may bring a substitute player in their place. No substitutes are allowed in playoffs without prior approval from league coordinator.)

• If you cannot find a substitute, we still recommend showing up as there will often be players on site willing to sub in with you.

If you need to forfeit, you must notify the league coordinators by noon on the day of the match or you will incur a fine of $20 that will be used to pay beer tabs. It's not fair to other teams to have them show up and have nobody to play.

5. Beer Ball Challenge

• Before or after the match, set up three balls on the table in whatever position or formation the teams agree upon for a beer ball challenge.

• Each player in the foursome takes turns attempting to pocket all three balls.

• The player who pockets all 3 in the least amount of shots (max 6 attempts), wins a Beer Ticket. 

6. Sportsmanship & Conduct

• We are here to have fun and make friends first, game play second.

• All players are expected to respect their opponents and maintain good sportsmanship. The following rules apply:

• No sitting or laying on pool tables

• No food or beverages on the tables

• No sword play with pool sticks

• No hitting sticks on the tables or lights

• No foreign objects allowed in the pockets

Any disputes should be resolved in a friendly and fair manner. Excessive delays, unsportsmanlike conduct, or violations of the above rules may be handled by a league representative.