Official Rules--US Open 9-Ball 2016
A copy of these rules will be printed and given to every player at the players' meeting.
I. Dress Code
Dress-type shirt (with or without a collar) or a dress-type sweater
Dress slacks
Dark shoes or dark-colored tennis or walking-type shoes
No sweat pants, warm-up pants, jogging pants, cargo pants, jeans, sandals, slippers or open-toed shoes
No headphones, earphones, earplugs, iPod or Bluetooth devices
Hearing-aids are permitted.
Any dress code exception to the above requires a medical doctor’s note and must be approved by the Tournament Director prior to the tournament.
II. Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Devices
Players must completely turn off (use the airplane mode) cell phones and any personal electronic devices during the entire match.
Smoking and the use of E-cigarettes is not allowed anywhere in the tournament room.
III. Forfeit Time
Both players must be in the tournament room at their scheduled match time, even if their scheduled match table is still in use.
Forfeit time is 15 minutes after the scheduled match time, or when the table becomes available, whichever is later. If a player is not present at his table a few minutes after the starting time, his opponent must notify the referee. Only the Tournament Director can declare a forfeit.
IV. Time-Outs
Each player may take one 5 minute time-out per match. The referee must be notified when a time-out is being taken. A time-out may only be taken during your inning or if you are breaking. Smoking and the use of E-cigarettes is prohibited during any time-out.
V. Slow Play
Referees will monitor the pace of play on all tables.
Referees will issue a speed-up warning after 1 hour if the pace is not satisfactory (approximately
10 games should be completed after 1 hour). If the pace remains unsatisfactory, the referee will implement a 40 second shot clock, with one extension per player per game.
VI. Concession Penalty
Concessions are not permitted at any time. The penalty for a concession is the loss of the conceded game and also a 1 game deduction from the offending player’s score.
VII. Cues and Bridges
Jump cues of at least 40 inches in length are allowed. Cue extenders are allowed.
Players may use their own bridge, provided it is legal in all aspects.
VIII. Ball Cleaning
Once a game is in progress, only the referee, upon request, is permitted to clean any ball.
Players are required to conduct themselves as professionals at all times.
Unsportsmanlike conduct may be subject to penalties administered by the Tournament Director at his discretion.
Specific Rules applying to this tournament are as follows:
I. Format
Double Elimination
Winner Breaks
Race to 11 until final day; Race to 13 on final day; must win by 2 games; 14-14 is hill / hill
II. Racking
The Accu-Rack is the only authorized racking device to be used in this tournament. The Accu-Rack may be removed after the break if both players agree to do so. After it’s removed, the Accu-Rack cannot be placed on the rail.
Upon request at any time during the match, the referee may assist in removing the Accu-Rack, but it is the referee’s decision as to whether the Accu-Rack can or cannot be safely removed. Players must rack the 1-Ball in front, the 9-Ball on the spot, and the 2-Ball behind the 9-Ball.
All other balls must be randomly placed. No pattern racking is allowed. Players must rack their own when they are breaking.
III. Breaking
Players must lag for the opening break.
Players must break from the designated break box.
A legal break requires at least 3 object balls to be driven past the headstring. Any combination of balls pocketed and balls past the headstring totaling 3 or more meets the legal break requirement.
An illegal break is not a foul. The incoming player has the option to either accept the table in position, or require his opponent to shoot from that position. Neither player may push out after an illegal break.
If the 9-Ball is pocketed on an illegal break, it must be re-spotted immediately. Pocketing the 9 ball on a legal break in any pocket wins the game.
IV. Fouls
The “all ball fouls” rule applies.
This tournament is being played with “area” referees; each referee is responsible for several tables.
There is no referee constantly presiding at each table (except in the Accu-Stats TV Arena). Generally, the non-shooting player acts as the referee. However, either player may ask the area referee to watch a shot or to clarify a rule.
The referee’s decision is final once summoned to the table, either before or after a shot has been taken.
3 consecutive fouls is an automatic loss of game. A clearly audible warning of “on 2” must be given to the incoming player as he approaches the table.
Good luck to everyone.
Karl Kantrowitz, Tournament Director
A copy of these rules will be printed and given to every player at the players' meeting.
OFFICIAL RULES --- 2016 U.S. OPEN 9-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
It is each player’s responsibility to follow the rules, regulations and schedules that apply to this event.I. Dress Code
Dress-type shirt (with or without a collar) or a dress-type sweater
Dress slacks
Dark shoes or dark-colored tennis or walking-type shoes
No sweat pants, warm-up pants, jogging pants, cargo pants, jeans, sandals, slippers or open-toed shoes
No headphones, earphones, earplugs, iPod or Bluetooth devices
Hearing-aids are permitted.
Any dress code exception to the above requires a medical doctor’s note and must be approved by the Tournament Director prior to the tournament.
II. Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Devices
Players must completely turn off (use the airplane mode) cell phones and any personal electronic devices during the entire match.
Smoking and the use of E-cigarettes is not allowed anywhere in the tournament room.
III. Forfeit Time
Both players must be in the tournament room at their scheduled match time, even if their scheduled match table is still in use.
Forfeit time is 15 minutes after the scheduled match time, or when the table becomes available, whichever is later. If a player is not present at his table a few minutes after the starting time, his opponent must notify the referee. Only the Tournament Director can declare a forfeit.
IV. Time-Outs
Each player may take one 5 minute time-out per match. The referee must be notified when a time-out is being taken. A time-out may only be taken during your inning or if you are breaking. Smoking and the use of E-cigarettes is prohibited during any time-out.
V. Slow Play
Referees will monitor the pace of play on all tables.
Referees will issue a speed-up warning after 1 hour if the pace is not satisfactory (approximately
10 games should be completed after 1 hour). If the pace remains unsatisfactory, the referee will implement a 40 second shot clock, with one extension per player per game.
VI. Concession Penalty
Concessions are not permitted at any time. The penalty for a concession is the loss of the conceded game and also a 1 game deduction from the offending player’s score.
VII. Cues and Bridges
Jump cues of at least 40 inches in length are allowed. Cue extenders are allowed.
Players may use their own bridge, provided it is legal in all aspects.
VIII. Ball Cleaning
Once a game is in progress, only the referee, upon request, is permitted to clean any ball.
Rules of Play
The US Open 9-Ball Championship is a WPA sanctioned event.Players are required to conduct themselves as professionals at all times.
Unsportsmanlike conduct may be subject to penalties administered by the Tournament Director at his discretion.
Specific Rules applying to this tournament are as follows:
I. Format
Double Elimination
Winner Breaks
Race to 11 until final day; Race to 13 on final day; must win by 2 games; 14-14 is hill / hill
II. Racking
The Accu-Rack is the only authorized racking device to be used in this tournament. The Accu-Rack may be removed after the break if both players agree to do so. After it’s removed, the Accu-Rack cannot be placed on the rail.
Upon request at any time during the match, the referee may assist in removing the Accu-Rack, but it is the referee’s decision as to whether the Accu-Rack can or cannot be safely removed. Players must rack the 1-Ball in front, the 9-Ball on the spot, and the 2-Ball behind the 9-Ball.
All other balls must be randomly placed. No pattern racking is allowed. Players must rack their own when they are breaking.
III. Breaking
Players must lag for the opening break.
Players must break from the designated break box.
A legal break requires at least 3 object balls to be driven past the headstring. Any combination of balls pocketed and balls past the headstring totaling 3 or more meets the legal break requirement.
An illegal break is not a foul. The incoming player has the option to either accept the table in position, or require his opponent to shoot from that position. Neither player may push out after an illegal break.
If the 9-Ball is pocketed on an illegal break, it must be re-spotted immediately. Pocketing the 9 ball on a legal break in any pocket wins the game.
IV. Fouls
The “all ball fouls” rule applies.
This tournament is being played with “area” referees; each referee is responsible for several tables.
There is no referee constantly presiding at each table (except in the Accu-Stats TV Arena). Generally, the non-shooting player acts as the referee. However, either player may ask the area referee to watch a shot or to clarify a rule.
The referee’s decision is final once summoned to the table, either before or after a shot has been taken.
3 consecutive fouls is an automatic loss of game. A clearly audible warning of “on 2” must be given to the incoming player as he approaches the table.
Good luck to everyone.
Karl Kantrowitz, Tournament Director
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