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Rules of the Game From "Family Sports" episode SPT-111

General rules of pocket billiards

Note: On air Laurance went over a few of the general rules. Exclusive to the Web is the following complete list of rules and regulations according to the Billiard Congress of America. To receive an official "Rules and Records Book" from the BCA, see Resources, below.

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Pool champion Ewa Laurance goes over the rules of the game of pool.

• Racking the balls -- When racking the balls a triangle must be used, and the apex ball (one ball) is to be spotted on the foot (round circle within circle) spot. All the balls must be lined up behind the apex ball and pressed together so that they all have contact with each other.

• Striking the cue ball -- Legal shots require that the cue ball be struck only with the cue tip. Failure to meet this requirement is a foul.

• Failure to pocket a ball -- If a player fails to pocket a ball on a legal shot, then the player's inning is over, and it's the opponent's turn at the table.

• Lag for a break -- The lag determines the order of play. The following procedure is used for the lag for the opening break: Each player should use balls of equal size and weight (preferably cue balls but, when those are not available, nonstriped object balls). With the balls in hand behind the head string, one player to the left and one to the right of the head spot, the balls are shot simultaneously to the foot cushion and back to the head end of the table. The player whose ball is the closest to the innermost edge of the head cushion wins the lag. The lagged ball must contact the foot cushion at least once. Other cushion contacts are immaterial, except as prohibited below.

  Any of the following constitutes an automatic loss of the lag: 1) the ball crosses into the opponent's half of the table; 2) the ball fails to contact the foot cushion; 3) the ball drops into a pocket; 4) the ball jumps the table; 5) the ball touches the long cushion; 6) the ball rests within the corner pocket and past the nose of the head cushion; or 7) the ball contacts the foot rail more than once. If both players violate automatic-loss lag rules, or if the referee is unable to determine which ball is closer, the lag is a tie and is replayed.
  
  
  

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  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Purchasing a Pool Table
  	Interview With a Pool Shark -- Ewa Laurance
  	Rules of the Game