9 Ball RULES - Tour Events
The same rules apply to both the Mini tournaments and Main events. The only difference will be the race which is listed below.
Mini tournaments are a race to 7 on both sides and the Main event is a race to 9, a true double elimination format. This means the winner of the no loss side MUST be defeated twice in order to lose the event.
If you are an amateur female, you will race to 5 in the Mini events and 7 in the Main events. Tournament director has a final say on who is considered an amateur. You do not have to be listed as a professional in order to be considered a professional. Final ruling is made by the tournament director and the decision is final.
1) Flip for the break - winner breaks format (It is a rack for each other format however, if both players agree, they can rack their own. If players cannot agree it defaults to rack for each other or a referee will be called in to rack. Once a referee is called into the match, they will rack for both players!)
2) Texas Express rules apply however, there is NO 3 foul rule or all ball fall rules in effect!
3) Push out after the break is allowed.
4) When breaking the balls, the ENTIRE cue ball must be behind the line. Having the base of the cue ball behind the line is no an acceptable break. The entire cue ball must be behind the break line.
5) Legal break is when 4 or more balls are driven to rails on the break or a ball is pocketed after contacting the 1 ball. If the 1 ball is not contacted first or, no balls are pocketed on the break and less than 4 balls are driven to the rails, the balls are reracked and the opponent may now break. If the shooter miscues on the break but does not hit the rack, he may attempt a 2nd break without losing the break to his opponent.
6) Frozen balls- the opponent is required to call a ball frozen prior to the shot and must make sure the shooter acknoledges that the ball is in fact frozen to the rail. If there is a disagreement, the referee will determine if the ball is frozen and that decision is final. If the ball is frozen, the cue ball MUST contact the frozen ball then a rail or the frozen ball or if a good hit, any other ball on the table, must contact.
7) Balls off the table - Balls off the table will NOT be placed back into play and will result in ball in hand to the opponent.
8) Jump/Masse shots - These shots are allowed. Jump cues and shafts are allowed to be used for these shots.
9) Breaking down your stick while in a match - If either player in a match breaks down their stick without notifying the referee prior to breaking it down, they will be considered to have forfeited that match. If you need to replace a shaft or need to use the shaft for a jump shot and have no other shaft available, please request the referee and inform them of the situation. If a referee is not called and the opponent calls a forfeit, the result will be forfeit of the match.
10) Moving a ball accidentally - If any ball on the table is moved accidentally, the opponent has the choice of miving it back or leaving it as it lies. If the shooter moves the ball without the opponents permission, it will result in ball in hand. If a ball is moved and travels into the path of the cue ball or any other ball or its path, it is considered a fould and ball in hand goes to the opponent. If a ball is moved and the cue ball travels to where the ball was before being moved, it is also considered a foul and will result in ball in hand to the opponent.
11) Close hits - All hits being argued will go to the shooter UNLESS a referee is called in to watch the hit. On any close hit, it is a wise idea to call in a referee.
12) Seating while playing - ALL players must remain seated in designated player areas while playing a match. There should be no talking on cell phones, no talking to spectators or other players while in a match and especially while your opponent is at the table. This is considered sharking and could result in a foul with ball to the other player.
13) Language and behavior - Because we are going to be live streaming these events and marketing them to the public to try to gain spectators and airing some matches on local television, foul language and bad sportsmanship will NOT be tolerated during your matches. We hope this will also apply when not playing however, the matches are very important to be able to portray the sport in a better light. If bad sportsmanship or foul language is witnessed or heard, the first offense will result in a warning. The second offense is loss of game and the 3rd offense is loss of that match. Further offenses could result in the forfeit of the tournament or being banned from the tour. Depending on the severity of any offense, the Tour Director could determine at any time to have a player forfeit a game, match or tournament and the decision is final. If a player forfeits a tournament, the entry fee is non refundable!
14) Time limitations on matches - All matches in the Mini events will be allowed to run 1 hour and 15 minutes without being forced to be placed on a 45 second shot clock. Once an hour and 15 minutes has passed, a referee will be called to the table and each shot by each player will be on a 45 second clock. If you go over 45 seconds, it will result in a foul and ball in hand to your opponent. Main events will be allowed to run 1.5 hours without being placed on a shot clock. The shot clock starts once all balls stop moving. There are NO extensions.
15) Live streaming or TV table matches - All matches on these tables have all of the same rules with the excption of, there will be NO conceeding of shots!! If a player conceeds any ball(s) on this table, it will be loss of that game and one more. Dont cost yourself 2 games by conceeding any shots on this table.
16) 15 minutes or forfeit - Once a match is announced, the players have 15 minutes to approacj the designated table. Any players not in attendence after 15 minutes has elapsed will be considered to have forfeited that match. If a match has been announced, the player waiting for their opponent must inform the Tournament Director that their opponent is not at the designated table. The Tournament Director will continue to announce the match and will make attempts to contact the player via phone. Once the Tournament Director is notified of an opponent not being at the designated table, the 15 minute countdown will begin. If the opponent doesnt approach the table before the 15 minutes has elapsed, they will forfeit the match. No exceptions! If this occurs during the finals and the missing player is from the no loss side, they have 15 minutes before forfeit of the first set will be declared. Once that 15 minutes has elapsed, the player will be allowed another 15 minutes before forfeiting the second set. This is a true double elimination format so, the winner of the no loss side must be defeated twice or must forfeit twice.
By entering in any Players Tour Production event, you agree to be written about, filmed and photographed for use by Players Tour Production, MPT and Statewide Billiards in promoting the sport and the events.
If you have any questions regarding these game rules or have suggestions or comments for us, please contact us here at MPT or by contacting the tournament director Rita Karrip and rkarrip@playerstourproductions.com
**NOTE** The above 9 ball rules will also apply to any non tour 9 ball event held with the exception of the race length. Some non tour events will have shorter races and may be done as single elimination depending on time and number of players.
8 BALL Singles and TEAM event RULES
1) Flip for the break - Alternate breaks format, it is a rack for each other
2) When breaking the balls, the ENTIRE cue ball must be behind the line. Having the base of the cue ball behind the line is no an acceptable break. The entire cue ball must be behind the break line.
3) A legal break is considered when the cue ball strikes the rack and at least 2 balls hit rails or are pocketed. If the shooter misses the entire rack, they may break again. If the shooter hits the rack but fails to send to balls into rails or a pocket, the opponent has the right to choose between shooting from where the balls lie or electing to rerack and break.
4) Frozen balls- the opponent is required to call a ball frozen prior to the shot and must make sure the shooter acknoledges that the ball is in fact frozen to the rail. If there is a disagreement, the referee will determine if the ball is frozen and that decision is final. If the ball is frozen, the cue ball MUST contact the frozen ball then a rail or the frozen ball or if a good hit, any other ball on the table, must contact.
5) Balls off the table - Balls off the table will NOT be placed back into play and will result in ball in hand to the opponent.
6) Jump/Masse shots - These shots are allowed. Jump cues and shafts are allowed to be used for these shots.
7) Breaking down your stick while in a match - If either player in a match breaks down their stick without notifying the referee prior to breaking it down, they will be considered to have forfeited that match. If you need to replace a shaft or need to use the shaft for a jump shot and have no other shaft available, please request the referee and inform them of the situation. If a referee is not called and the opponent calls a forfeit, the result will be forfeit of the match.
8) Moving a ball accidentally - If any ball on the table is moved accidentally, the opponent has the choice of miving it back or leaving it as it lies. If the shooter moves the ball without the opponents permission, it will result in ball in hand. If a ball is moved and travels into the path of the cue ball or any other ball or its path, it is considered a fould and ball in hand goes to the opponent. If a ball is moved and the cue ball travels to where the ball was before being moved, it is also considered a foul and will result in ball in hand to the opponent.
9) Close hits - All hits being argued will go to the shooter UNLESS a referee is called in to watch the hit. On any close hit, it is a wise idea to call in a referee.
10) Seating while playing - ALL players must remain seated in designated player areas while playing a match. There should be no talking on cell phones, no talking to spectators or other players while in a match and especially while your opponent is at the table. This is considered sharking and could result in a foul with ball to the other player.
11) Language and behavior - Because we are going to be live streaming these events and marketing them to the public to try to gain spectators and airing some matches on local television, foul language and bad sportsmanship will NOT be tolerated during your matches. We hope this will also apply when not playing however, the matches are very important to be able to portray the sport in a better light. If bad sportsmanship or foul language is witnessed or heard, the first offense will result in a warning. The second offense is loss of game and the 3rd offense is loss of that match. Further offenses could result in the forfeit of the tournament or being banned from the tour. Depending on the severity of any offense, the Tour Director could determine at any time to have a player forfeit a game, match or tournament and the decision is final. If a player forfeits a tournament, the entry fee is non refundable!
12) Time limitations on matches - All matches in the Mini events will be allowed to run 1 hour and 15 minutes without being forced to be placed on a 45 second shot clock. Once an hour and 15 minutes has passed, a referee will be called to the table and each shot by each player will be on a 45 second clock. If you go over 45 seconds, it will result in a foul and ball in hand to your opponent. Main events will be allowed to run 1.5 hours without being placed on a shot clock. The shot clock starts once all balls stop moving. There are NO extensions.
13) Live streaming or TV table matches - All matches on these tables have all of the same rules with the excption of, there will be NO conceeding of shots!! If a player conceeds any ball(s) on this table, it will be loss of that game and one more. Dont cost yourself 2 games by conceeding any shots on this table.
14) 15 minutes or forfeit - Once a match is announced, the players have 15 minutes to approacj the designated table. Any players not in attendence after 15 minutes has elapsed will be considered to have forfeited that match. If a match has been announced, the player waiting for their opponent must inform the Tournament Director that their opponent is not at the designated table. The Tournament Director will continue to announce the match and will make attempts to contact the player via phone. Once the Tournament Director is notified of an opponent not being at the designated table, the 15 minute countdown will begin. If the opponent doesnt approach the table before the 15 minutes has elapsed, they will forfeit the match. No exceptions!
If this occurs during the finals and the missing player is from the no loss side, they have 15 minutes before forfeit of the first set will be declared. Once that 15 minutes has elapsed, the player will be allowed another 15 minutes before forfeiting the second set. This is a true double elimination format so, the winner of the no loss side must be defeated twice or must forfeit twice.
