General Rules
The following General Rules apply to all the Disciplines covered by these rules except when contradicted by the rules of specific Disciplines.
Lagging to Determine First Break
The lag is the first shot of the Match and determines order of play. The player who wins the lag chooses who will shoot first.
The referee will place a ball on each side of the table above the Head String and near the Head String. The players will shoot at about the same time to make each ball contact the foot cushion with the goal of returning the ball closer to the head cushion than the opponent.
A lag shot is bad and cannot win if the shooter’s ball:
- crosses the Long String
- contacts the foot cushion other than once
- is pocketed or driven off the table
- touches the side cushion
- the ball rests within the corner pocket and past the nose of the head cushion
In addition, a lag will be bad if any non-object-ball foul occurs other than 3.9 Balls Still Moving.
The players will lag again if:
- a player’s ball is struck after the other ball has touched the foot cushion
- the referee cannot determine which ball has stopped closer to the head cushion
- both lags are bad
Spotting Balls
Balls are spotted (returned to play on the table) by placing them on the Long String (long axis of the table) as close as possible to the Foot Spot and between the Foot Spot and the Foot Rail, without moving any interfering ball. If the spotted ball cannot be placed on the Foot Spot, it should be placed in contact (if possible) with the corresponding interfering ball. However, when the cue-ball is next to the spotted ball, the spotted ball should not be placed in contact with the cue-ball; a small separation must be maintained. If all of the Long String below the Foot Spot is blocked by other balls, the ball is spotted above the Foot Spot, and as close as possible to the Foot Spot.
Cue-Ball in Hand
When the cue-ball is in hand, the shooter may place the cue-ball anywhere on the playing surface and may continue to move the cue-ball until he executes a shot. Players may use any part of the cue-stick to move the cue-ball, including the tip, but not with a forward stroke motion. In some Disciplines and for most break shots, placement of the cue-ball may be restricted to the area above the Head String depending on the rules of the Discipline, and then Bad Cue-ball Placement and Bad Play from Above the Head String may apply.
When the shooter has the cue-ball in hand above the Head String and all the legal object- balls are above the Head String, he may request the legal object-ball nearest the Head String to be spotted. If two or more balls are equal distance from the Head String, the shooter may designate which of the equidistant balls is to be spotted. An object-ball that rests on the Head String is playable.
Standard Call Shot
In Disciplines in which the shooter is required to call shots, the intended ball and pocket must be indicated for each shot if they are not obvious. Details of the shot, such as cushions struck or other balls contacted or pocketed are irrelevant. Only one ball may be called on each shot.
For a called shot to count, the referee must be satisfied that the intended shot was made, so if there is any chance of confusion, e.g. with bank, combination and similar shots, the shooter should indicate the ball and pocket. If the referee or opponent is unsure of the shot to be played, he may ask for a call.
In call shot Disciplines, the shooter may choose to call "safety" instead of a ball and pocket and then play passes to the opponent at the end of the shot. Whether balls are being spotted after safeties depends on the rules of the particular Discipline.
Balls Settling
A ball may settle slightly after it appears to have stopped, possibly due to slight imperfections in the ball or the table. Unless this causes a ball to fall into a pocket, it is considered a normal hazard of play, and the ball will not be moved back. If a ball falls into a pocket as the result of such settling, it is restored as closely as possible to its original position. If a settling ball falls into a pocket during or just prior to a shot, and this has an effect on the shot, the referee will restore the position, and the shot will be replayed. The shooter is not penalized for shooting while a ball is settling.
Restoring a Position
When necessary for balls to be restored or cleaned, the referee will restore disturbed balls to their original positions to the best of his ability. The players must accept the referee’s judgment as to placement.
Outside Interference
When outside interference occurs during a shot that has an effect on the outcome of that shot, the referee will restore the balls to the positions they had before the shot, and the shot will be replayed. If the interference had no effect on the shot, the referee will restore the disturbed balls and play will continue. If the balls cannot be restored to their original positions, the situation is handled like a stalemate.