WORLD CHINESE EIGHT-BALL MASTERS RULES STANDARD RULES FOR THE CHINESE EIGHT-BALL GAME (2017) Part:1
Chapter I General Principles
This general principles list the items that are not included in the rules of the game, but need to be arranged in the physical truth, including the requirement of dressing, the course of appeal and the schedule of competitions. The content of general principles such as the quantity of game in a round, the order of breaking is different from the former one in every competition. The committee has the right of defining and carrying out these principles according to the general principles before the games. Relatively, the rules of competition need to be carried out strictly in the process of the competition.
1. The Rules of Competition
Special case of competition rules is not allowed to be free to change, unless the Chinese eight-ball Tournament Organizing Committee of the international master licensed, a written explanation of the temporary change in the rules should be published before the players’ meeting.
2. Players’ Clothing Requirements
The clothing of each player must meet the competition requirements and should be neat and clean. If the players are not sure if their clothing is in accordance with the requirements, they can ask the tournament director for confirmation before the game. Final decision rests with the tournament director on the clothing requirements. If there are any special circumstances, Tournament Director may allow the unsatisfactory players participating in the competition, such as flight baggage loss, the players' special physical condition and so on. Players may be disqualified because of the undesirable dressing. If there is no clothing requirements being announced before the game, all players (both males and females) should use the following clothing requirements by default.
Tops: plain color shirt with the lower hem bundled in trousers, must wear solid color waistcoat outside the shirt.
Trousers: solid color suit trousers .Players must not wear jean.
Shoes: solid color leather shoes
3. Referee regulations.
3.1 Referee’s responsibility:
(a) The sole judge of the game, to make judgments on anything happened in the game;
(b) Responsible for enforcing the rules of the game and maintain the competition smoothly;
(c) The referee shall answer player' s questions about the objective facts and the rules of the game;
(d)While contrary to the principles of fair play happens, the referee has the right to postpone the game, this power also applies to the case of disputes;
(e) If the rules do not cover the special circumstances during the race, the referee can make judgments under the principles of fair play;
(f) If required, the referee can tell hitting player whether the round is closed or not.
(g) Clean any balls on the table in reasonable request; for game has time limitation for shooting, the cleaning ball time will be counted into the player' s shooting time.
(h) To assist the players to take, or put back the rest and other auxiliary equipment.
3.2 Referee can not:
(a) Answer any questions unrelated to any rules;
(b) Prompt the hitting players potential fouls;
(c) Provide suggests and opinions that may affect the game;
3.3 If the referee did not notice a dispute, he can refer to the presence of scorers and other event
Staff or the audience in the best position to make a ruling.
4. Racking or tapping of balls
In the Chinese eight-ball game, a triangle or a template is used to rack the balls. At the beginning of a round, all balls are placed in the triangle or placed in the holes in the template and then set at the balls area. The advantages of using a triangle or template is to save time and make sure the balls clinging closely. The equipment to rack the ball is determined by the tournament organizers. Racking balls is the responsibility of the referee, players can not rack the balls on their own, unless the tournament organizers have explicitly requested.
5. The declaration of oppressed the cushion and oppressed balls.
The referee should observe carefully and then announce if the object ball is oppressed to the cushion or if the cue ball oppressed to the object ball. The players could remind referee for a declaration of such cases. Players must give the referee enough time to make a ruling. In the time-limited game, the declaration time will not be counted into the hitting player's time.
6. To Prevent outside Interference
The referee should avoid competition interference, such as interference from nearby table players or spectators. If necessary, the game could be suspended or postponed. Interference can be from physical or language. If the player' s foul is caused by outside interference, the opponent player has no responsibility for this.
7. Factors which can not be avoided.
Something not listed in the rules may occur in the game and may be unexpected. When this occurs, the referee will make a judgment under the principle of fair competition, if necessary, a game may be moved to other tables with the position of the balls remaining original. If not, the referee could announce the round as an impasse.
8. The Coach
It’s not allowed for players to seek for guidance from the coach during the game. But the player can ask a suspend to seek for guidance from his or her coach without the coach appearing close to the game table. If the coach is judged by the referee interfering the game, he should keep away from the table.
9. Default equipment.
After the start of the game, the player has no right to doubt the quality of the designated default equipment provided by organizers .Any related protests must be put forward before the match.
10. The using of players' own equipment.
The equipment must follow the rules of the international association of Chinese eight-ball. Generally, the players cannot use other new styles of equipment. The one mentioned as follows is legal. If a player has any questions about a special equipment, he should ask the tournament organizing committee to get a definite reply before the game.
(a) Cues: Players are allowed to change their cues during the game, such as the breaking cue, jump cue and ordinary cue（Changing the cue is prohibited during one match） .Players can use the built-in or external cues to extend the length.
(b) Chalks: Players can use chalks to prevent the lip from sliding, and can bring their own chalks, but the color should match to the cloth.
(c) Rest: players can use more than two kinds of rest at the same time to support the cue. Players can use their own rest, but this must comply with the regulations or accepted by the referee.
(d) Gloves: Players can use gloves to help hold the cue or hand rest.
(e) The talcum powder: Reasonable dosage talcum powder is allowed to use if the referee accept.
11. Being late for games
Players must be punctual and get ready before each game. If a player does not appear before the specified time, he should be punished by the conventional items. If two players are both late, the organizing committee will punish them according their condition separately. For the player who is often late ,more strict punishment will be given.
12. The order of breaking
The organizing committee has the right to decide the order of breaking. Such as the victor breaks or break by turns.
13. For the player who is not hitting.
When one player is playing, the other should stay at the designated sitting areas. When players in play( including intervals between rounds) need lo leave the area, he should get the permission from the referee. If the player leave without permission, then this will be regarded as against the spirit of sports.
14. Shooting in Limited Time
Chinese eight-ball often uses the time-limited method. The organizing committee defines time for each game or each shot, for each rack or each game, the extension period and extension time will be stated clearly. Usually the time is 45 seconds for a shot or will be decided by organizing committee(30 seconds for fast mode). There will be a staff(the referee or another staff) or special timing devices for timing and referee will give a notice when 10 seconds and 5 seconds left, Timing starts when all balls stop, and end up with the tip hitting the cue ball. Each player can call extension once each rack, the extension period is usually for 30 seconds(20 seconds for fast mode). If the player didn’t hit in stipulated time ,he will make a foul.
15. Time out
In addition to the provisions of the organizing committee, in a more than 13 rounds game, players can ask for a 5-minute-pause. Players should tell referee the purpose of the pause, and confirm that the referee has realized the fact, and then record and take notes on the record form.
(This provision could be arranged by the organizing committee before the game) If the player has any inappropriate behavior during the pause, his right of pausing will be deprived. If the circumstances is serious, he will be punished as against the spirit of sports. Players could ask for pause between rounds, except for special circumstances. If a player feels bad because of drug or other special circumstances, the director can adjust the time and number of pause. When something that influenced the fair and continuity appears, the referee should take measures at once to stop the game, until the situation disappears. If this happens in the process of a round, the referee must ensure all the balls in the original position. When the pause is over, the game continues. If the objective causes balls cannot be kept originally, the referee or tournament organizing committee reserves the right to inform the players round being cancelled, and re-start the game when feasible. Players are not allowed to call time out personally, and the time out is only set by organizing committee according to the game situation.
16. Inappropriate Behaviors
Refusing a round, or the referee thought the player has intentionally or continued improper behavior, including continuously wasting time or impolite behavior, the referee should warn him. If the player doesn’t stop, then he will be judged lost.
17. Punishments of violating the sport spirits
For the Behaviors of violating the sport spirits, the game rules and general principles give enough and flexible space to the referee and event officials. The punishment is based on the following aspects: the player' s Behaviors before, the warning in advance, the seriousness of the behavior, and if the behavior was mentioned in the player' s meeting etc, In addition, the level of the game can also act as a consideration, because a good athlete should have both excellent skills and appropriate behavior.
18. Rules of Appeal
If a player has the matters of ruling, he should firstly communicate with the referee, and the referee will make the most appropriate judgment. If the player has an objection to verdict, he could appeal to the chief judge or the game director. In normal competition, the game director has the right to make final judgments. Every time before the appeal, players need to pay, if the appeal fails, appeal fee will not be returned, the detail amount of appeal fee should be confirmed in the Game Program or on the players' meeting. Each player has only one chance to appeal in the same problem, and if he appeals the second time with the same problem, his action will be regarded as against the spirit of sports and punished.
Chaplet II Rules of Chinese Eight Ball
Chapter I General Principles
This general principles list the items that are not included in the rules of the game, but need to be arranged in the physical truth, including the requirement of dressing, the course of appeal and the schedule of competitions. The content of general principles such as the quantity of game in a round, the order of breaking is different from the former one in every competition. The committee has the right of defining and carrying out these principles according to the general principles before the games. Relatively, the rules of competition need to be carried out strictly in the process of the competition.
1. The Rules of Competition
Special case of competition rules is not allowed to be free to change, unless the Chinese eight-ball Tournament Organizing Committee of the international master licensed, a written explanation of the temporary change in the rules should be published before the players’ meeting.
2. Players’ Clothing Requirements
The clothing of each player must meet the competition requirements and should be neat and clean. If the players are not sure if their clothing is in accordance with the requirements, they can ask the tournament director for confirmation before the game. Final decision rests with the tournament director on the clothing requirements. If there are any special circumstances, Tournament Director may allow the unsatisfactory players participating in the competition, such as flight baggage loss, the players' special physical condition and so on. Players may be disqualified because of the undesirable dressing. If there is no clothing requirements being announced before the game, all players (both males and females) should use the following clothing requirements by default.
Tops: plain color shirt with the lower hem bundled in trousers, must wear solid color waistcoat outside the shirt.
Trousers: solid color suit trousers .Players must not wear jean.
Shoes: solid color leather shoes
3. Referee regulations.
3.1 Referee’s responsibility:
(a) The sole judge of the game, to make judgments on anything happened in the game;
(b) Responsible for enforcing the rules of the game and maintain the competition smoothly;
(c) The referee shall answer player' s questions about the objective facts and the rules of the game;
(d)While contrary to the principles of fair play happens, the referee has the right to postpone the game, this power also applies to the case of disputes;
(e) If the rules do not cover the special circumstances during the race, the referee can make judgments under the principles of fair play;
(f) If required, the referee can tell hitting player whether the round is closed or not.
(g) Clean any balls on the table in reasonable request; for game has time limitation for shooting, the cleaning ball time will be counted into the player' s shooting time.
(h) To assist the players to take, or put back the rest and other auxiliary equipment.
3.2 Referee can not:
(a) Answer any questions unrelated to any rules;
(b) Prompt the hitting players potential fouls;
(c) Provide suggests and opinions that may affect the game;
3.3 If the referee did not notice a dispute, he can refer to the presence of scorers and other event
Staff or the audience in the best position to make a ruling.
4. Racking or tapping of balls
In the Chinese eight-ball game, a triangle or a template is used to rack the balls. At the beginning of a round, all balls are placed in the triangle or placed in the holes in the template and then set at the balls area. The advantages of using a triangle or template is to save time and make sure the balls clinging closely. The equipment to rack the ball is determined by the tournament organizers. Racking balls is the responsibility of the referee, players can not rack the balls on their own, unless the tournament organizers have explicitly requested.
5. The declaration of oppressed the cushion and oppressed balls.
The referee should observe carefully and then announce if the object ball is oppressed to the cushion or if the cue ball oppressed to the object ball. The players could remind referee for a declaration of such cases. Players must give the referee enough time to make a ruling. In the time-limited game, the declaration time will not be counted into the hitting player's time.
6. To Prevent outside Interference
The referee should avoid competition interference, such as interference from nearby table players or spectators. If necessary, the game could be suspended or postponed. Interference can be from physical or language. If the player' s foul is caused by outside interference, the opponent player has no responsibility for this.
7. Factors which can not be avoided.
Something not listed in the rules may occur in the game and may be unexpected. When this occurs, the referee will make a judgment under the principle of fair competition, if necessary, a game may be moved to other tables with the position of the balls remaining original. If not, the referee could announce the round as an impasse.
8. The Coach
It’s not allowed for players to seek for guidance from the coach during the game. But the player can ask a suspend to seek for guidance from his or her coach without the coach appearing close to the game table. If the coach is judged by the referee interfering the game, he should keep away from the table.
9. Default equipment.
After the start of the game, the player has no right to doubt the quality of the designated default equipment provided by organizers .Any related protests must be put forward before the match.
10. The using of players' own equipment.
The equipment must follow the rules of the international association of Chinese eight-ball. Generally, the players cannot use other new styles of equipment. The one mentioned as follows is legal. If a player has any questions about a special equipment, he should ask the tournament organizing committee to get a definite reply before the game.
(a) Cues: Players are allowed to change their cues during the game, such as the breaking cue, jump cue and ordinary cue（Changing the cue is prohibited during one match） .Players can use the built-in or external cues to extend the length.
(b) Chalks: Players can use chalks to prevent the lip from sliding, and can bring their own chalks, but the color should match to the cloth.
(c) Rest: players can use more than two kinds of rest at the same time to support the cue. Players can use their own rest, but this must comply with the regulations or accepted by the referee.
(d) Gloves: Players can use gloves to help hold the cue or hand rest.
(e) The talcum powder: Reasonable dosage talcum powder is allowed to use if the referee accept.
11. Being late for games
Players must be punctual and get ready before each game. If a player does not appear before the specified time, he should be punished by the conventional items. If two players are both late, the organizing committee will punish them according their condition separately. For the player who is often late ,more strict punishment will be given.
12. The order of breaking
The organizing committee has the right to decide the order of breaking. Such as the victor breaks or break by turns.
13. For the player who is not hitting.
When one player is playing, the other should stay at the designated sitting areas. When players in play( including intervals between rounds) need lo leave the area, he should get the permission from the referee. If the player leave without permission, then this will be regarded as against the spirit of sports.
14. Shooting in Limited Time
Chinese eight-ball often uses the time-limited method. The organizing committee defines time for each game or each shot, for each rack or each game, the extension period and extension time will be stated clearly. Usually the time is 45 seconds for a shot or will be decided by organizing committee(30 seconds for fast mode). There will be a staff(the referee or another staff) or special timing devices for timing and referee will give a notice when 10 seconds and 5 seconds left, Timing starts when all balls stop, and end up with the tip hitting the cue ball. Each player can call extension once each rack, the extension period is usually for 30 seconds(20 seconds for fast mode). If the player didn’t hit in stipulated time ,he will make a foul.
15. Time out
In addition to the provisions of the organizing committee, in a more than 13 rounds game, players can ask for a 5-minute-pause. Players should tell referee the purpose of the pause, and confirm that the referee has realized the fact, and then record and take notes on the record form.
(This provision could be arranged by the organizing committee before the game) If the player has any inappropriate behavior during the pause, his right of pausing will be deprived. If the circumstances is serious, he will be punished as against the spirit of sports. Players could ask for pause between rounds, except for special circumstances. If a player feels bad because of drug or other special circumstances, the director can adjust the time and number of pause. When something that influenced the fair and continuity appears, the referee should take measures at once to stop the game, until the situation disappears. If this happens in the process of a round, the referee must ensure all the balls in the original position. When the pause is over, the game continues. If the objective causes balls cannot be kept originally, the referee or tournament organizing committee reserves the right to inform the players round being cancelled, and re-start the game when feasible. Players are not allowed to call time out personally, and the time out is only set by organizing committee according to the game situation.
16. Inappropriate Behaviors
Refusing a round, or the referee thought the player has intentionally or continued improper behavior, including continuously wasting time or impolite behavior, the referee should warn him. If the player doesn’t stop, then he will be judged lost.
17. Punishments of violating the sport spirits
For the Behaviors of violating the sport spirits, the game rules and general principles give enough and flexible space to the referee and event officials. The punishment is based on the following aspects: the player' s Behaviors before, the warning in advance, the seriousness of the behavior, and if the behavior was mentioned in the player' s meeting etc, In addition, the level of the game can also act as a consideration, because a good athlete should have both excellent skills and appropriate behavior.
18. Rules of Appeal
If a player has the matters of ruling, he should firstly communicate with the referee, and the referee will make the most appropriate judgment. If the player has an objection to verdict, he could appeal to the chief judge or the game director. In normal competition, the game director has the right to make final judgments. Every time before the appeal, players need to pay, if the appeal fails, appeal fee will not be returned, the detail amount of appeal fee should be confirmed in the Game Program or on the players' meeting. Each player has only one chance to appeal in the same problem, and if he appeals the second time with the same problem, his action will be regarded as against the spirit of sports and punished.
Chaplet II Rules of Chinese Eight Ball