Definitions, Etiquette & Rules
Table of Contents
1. Definitions and Etiquette. 4
1.1. Sukhumvit Social Pool League. 4
1.2. Registered Club.. 4
1.3. Seasons. 4
1.4. Season Halves and Playing Order. 5
1.5. Competitions & Formats. 5
1.6. Rounds and Schedules. 5
1.7. MATCH.. 6
1.8. LEG.. 6
1.9. SET.. 6
1.10. Game. 6
1.11. Eligible Players. 6
1.12. Intentional Fouls. 7
1.13. Time Limits during Play.. 7
1.14. Sportsmanship.. 7
1.15. Captain’s Responsibility.. 7
2. Match Formats & Scoring. 8
2.1. Monday - Mixed.. 8
2.2. Wednesday 9 Ball 8
2.3. Standings Cumulative Position Calculation.. 8
3. Wednesday - 9 Ball 9
3.1 Match Format. 9
3.2. RULES of 9 BALL.. 10
3.3. Object of 9 Ball 10
3.4. Racking the Balls. 11
3.5. Legal Break Shots. 11
3.6. Continuing Play.. 11
3.7. Push Out. 11
3.8. Fouls. 12
3.9. Bad Hit. 12
3.10. No Rail 12
3.11. Ball in Hand.. 12
3.12. Object Ball Jumped Off the Table. 12
3.13. Jump Shots. 12
3.14. Coaching. 12
4. 8-Ball Rules. 13
4.1. Object of 8 Ball 13
4.2. Call Shot. 13
4.3. Ball Rack.. 13
4.4. Order of Break.. 13
4.5. Legal Break shot. 13
4.6. Choice of Group.. 13
4.7. Scratch on a Legal Break.. 14
4.8. The 8 Ball Pocketed on the Break.. 14
4.9. Legal Shot. 14
4.10. Foul Penalty.. 14
5.11. Fouls. 14
4.12. Object Ball Frozen to rail 15
4.13. Illegally Pocketed Balls. 15
4.14. Touching Balls. 15
4.15. Jump Shots. 15
4.16. Combination shots. 15
4.17. Coaching. 15
4.18. Balls Jumped Off the Table. 15
4.19. Hanging Ball 15
4.20. Playing the 8 Ball 15
4.21. Loss of Game. 16
4.22. Pocketing Opponent’s Ball 16
The Sukhumvit Social Pool League is a social, non-profit organization of registered clubs and teams, with its administration and committees appointed by bar owners, team captains, and affiliates, all of whom are volunteers.
The objective is everyone who joins in the spirit gets a game and some fun. Players of all classes are welcome. With the clubs being social, the organization’s aim is to blend teams and players within them so the better players encourage others.
Being a non-profit organization, any sponsorships by way of donation, time, or in kind are welcome and acknowledged on our sponsor page.
There is no membership fee for the players.
Each club or team, however, must be sponsored by a commercial pool venue--normally a pool bar--that in turn pays a small levy for registration of each team it sponsors to play in competition. This cover the costs of trophies, after-season party, and any expenses.
On pool nights, players are also fed a snack by the host and both the host and visiting bar’s team will buy all the players a drink, up to a maximum of 10 drinks per team. In return, please remember that bars have to make a living, so the league encourages players to join in the spirit and support the bar owners, too.
If any bar staff plays any games, only when either team buys a round of drinks, it will be at standard prices.
All teams must be sponsored by a bar or similar venue which is certified as a Registered Club and is able to host weekly pool matches and provide facilities and refreshments.
Within the Sukhumvit Social Pool League Calendar, seasons are defined in accordance with the number of rounds to be completed.
Example: for a competition of 18 rounds, only two semesters (such as Winter, spanning October - April, and Summer, spanning May - September) are practical within any one-year period. In competitions of shorter duration (e.g., 14 rounds), the seasons in one year may vary and be named appropriately.
A season concludes when every team has played all other teams twice, once as the home team home and once as the away team.
The season is defined by a fixture drawn and published by the Match Coordinator Committee based on these definitions and rules.
Points awarded to each round are aggregated for each season, with the team having the most points being the overall league winner.
Each season fixture comprises of two halves: the first half and the second half.
In the First Half, registered teams are randomly drawn for home and away pairing. Each team will play alternately at home then away in consecutive rounds, wherever possible, until every team has played each other.
In the Second Half, the fixture exactly as drawn in the first half is reversed, so a home team in the first half will play away and the opposing first half away team will play at home.
In each season, there are two competitions, with different formats. The Mixed format is played on Mondays and the 9 Ball format is played on Wednesdays. Both start at 8 PM sharp at the Host’s venue.
Teams drawn in random order, first for Monday Completions, which in turn sets the Wednesday order for teams playing both competition.
The same team does not play at home in the same week in the alternate competition
No team can play the same opponent in the next alternate competition.
Generally, except on the change of half, each team will be schedules to play alternative home then away.
When a conflict occurs which means this rules cannot be met, the scheduler must explain or justify any compensating changes to overcome it.
A round is the full combination of all competitive matches scheduled in single week.
Any match that is deferred by agreement between the captains, when played later as a catch-up match, remains part of the original round.
When there is an odd number of registered teams, a BYE team will be added to balance the schedule. For each bye, no points are awarded to the Bye team or the team drawn against it.
Scheduling of the rounds takes into account public and other holidays in weeks where play is not practical. For example, breaks will be scheduled to cater to players who are away for Christmas, Songkran, and the Asia Pool Challenge.
The total number of rounds in a season is determined by the number of registered teams in each division, where each teams must play each other twice. For example, if there are 12 registered teams, in each division and every team must play the other 11 teams twice, there will be a total of 22 rounds.
A team is said to default when it fails to show up, unless the team notifies the other team by no later than 2.00pm on match day. The non-defaulting team will receive the maximum number of points allowed for the match and the defaulting team gets zero.
In the event a team shows up but cannot field enough players the team captains may agree an alternative date to play a catch-up match provided they also inform the match coordinator.
A round is not complete until all teams have played or in the event it is not played in time it is then declared by the administrator as complete and where zero points are awarded to both teams.
A match is the weekly event in which each team within a round plays a set number of games. The winner of a match is the team with the highest points.
A defined series of games within a match with each awarded winner. In Mixed Format a total of 23 games over 5 legs are played with a differing number of games for the each leg.
Sets identifies a block of games for the order of play only in 9 ball, which is a straight race to 19. A set in not scored.
A game is the contest between the players that forms part of a set or match.
Any player is eligible to play, even if they have played or are playing for another team during the current season.
When playing under ball-in-hand rules, intentional fouls are not only allowed, but are often an important strategy. Only under the 2-shot rule, which we do not use, are they considered either poor sportsmanship or loss of game.
The league wants to avoid enforcing time limits on players, but asks that everyone make an effort to shoot within a reasonable length of time.
While playing a game, a player should refrain from playing on any adjacent table(s). If the player is playing on an adjacent table and the current game is delayed, then a foul will be called. A player cannot play in two concurrent matches. In such cases the game is forfeited by the offending player’s team and the player cannot play in any more games in the match unless the captains agree.
Mobile phone calls during play should consist of little more than “I am busy”. I’ll call you back in a few minutes.”
We must remind everyone that we are a recreational bar league, not a professional one. The matches are expected to be somewhat competitive, but the priority is for it to be an enjoyable experience.
Captains have a great deal of leeway within the league. If both team captains agree beforehand to any variation of the rules, except for Jump Shots, it is allowed. It is the responsibility of the team captains to know and understand the rules, deal with any problems or disputes that may arise, and intervene fairly in any matters that require mediation. Captains should always keep in mind that they are an ambassador for their team.
5 sets are played which in total consists of 23 games. The team with the most set points at the end wins the match.
Sets vary in format, with points awarded to each set as follows:
Set 1 4 Games - 8-Ball Scotch Doubles - 2 points for a win and 1 point for a tie.
Set 2 Games - 8-Ball Singles - 2 points for the best of 5
Set 3 4 Games - 9-Ball doubles - 2 points for a win and 1 point for a tie.
Set 4 5 Games - Ball Singles - 2 points for the best of 5
Set 5 5 Games - Choice of Format - 2 points for the best of 5
Choice of format in the last set is nominated by that team that is behind after the 4th set. If they are tied after the 4th set , for set 5, each side will choose the format of 2 games, with the away team choosing first 2, then the home team choosing the second 2 and for game 5, the format be decided by toss of a coin.
On Monday mixed a player can play no more than twice in a set, except for game 23, where the two captains then play each other.
The objective is a race to 19. Rounds are played and scored in sets of 4, where the winner is the first team to win 19 games wherein that are awarded one match point.
The number of Games won by each team is also recorded for use in weighting a team's relative highest to lowest position in the competitions standings
If two teams are still tied for the lead on points at the end of the season, a play-off is required. In such cases the host team will be the team who won the most games against the other team during the season. If equal, it will be the team that won the most games overall.
Since 2015 to make it more equitable and balanced, and to establish a clear standings rank that limits the likelihood of a ties, the Match won point is no longer the single measure. Added to this primary is a a secondary measure being a composite with 3 parts.
The parts are 1. Floating percentage of game/sets won, 2. Absolute number of games won and, 3. Absolute count of the matches played. (This final part is designed as a disincentive to any team not playing all Rounds.)
This unique composite score, is then ranked in highest to lowest order, as shown in this table
In the example above Moonshine is 6.48-257-18.
But in fact the ranking uses the underlying floating percentage. I.e. 257/541 = 47.5046211 % is used instead of the 48. Here is an example of the calculation, where the ranking score is 6.477634211, different by 0.4937589 %
Element |
Raw scores | How parts used for ranking computation | How parts rounded used for simplified reporting |
Match Points | 6 | 6 | 6. |
% Games Played | 47.5% | 0.475046211 | 0.48 |
Games won | 257 | 0.00257 | 0. 00 257 |
Games Played | 18 | 0.000018 | 0. 00 00 018 |
|
| ||
Totals |
| 6.477634211 Total Unrounded Values | 6.48 257 18 Total of Parts rounded |
A match is a series of games and ends when one team wins a race to 19.
Play is always in sets of 4 games.
The format is Singles first followed by Scotch Doubles, with each set then following this alternating format a until the match is won , This format order may be varied agreement of captains.
The home team is required to be the first to put up 4 names.
From then on, the team that is ahead will be the first to put the names up. Teams will alternate in the event of tied scores.
A player playing twice in any single set of 4 is permitted, but he/she will NOT be eligible to play in the next single set of 4, as well. A player playing more than twice in Scotch Doubles, will NOT be eligible to play in the next set of Scotch Doubles
All teams must have a minimum of 4 players for every match. There is no maximum. Players do not need to qualify for play.
The committee determined the rules for 9-ball. From the standardized world rules, and made certain minor modifications. PLEASE READ THESE.
LOCAL RULES! For those familiar with 9-ball, jump shots have been eliminated, the 3 consecutive foul rule has been eliminated, and the first break will be determined by a coin toss. Any and all of these eliminations can be reinstated for any given match if agreed to beforehand by both team captains, except for Jump Shots.
These rules are standard in 9-Ball competition. With the exception of local changes, these rules are the same as those found at www.theballinhand.com. The rules are online there, and available in Thai.
Nine Ball is played with nine object balls numbered one through nine and a cue ball, where the winner of the game pots the nine ball directly, after all other balls have been potted or indirectly from a canon object ball that has been legally played.
On each shot the first ball the cue ball contacts must be the lowest-numbered ball on the table, but the balls need not be pocketed in order.
If a player pockets any ball on a legal shot, he remains at the table for another shot and continues until he misses, fouls, or wins the game by pocketing the 9-ball.
After a miss, the incoming player must shoot from the position left by the previous player, but after any foul the incoming player may start with the cue ball anywhere on the table.
Players are not required to call any shot.
The game ends at the end of a legal shot which pockets the 9-ball.
A game cannot end on a foul. If there is a foul while pocketing the 9-ball, it is re-spotted. The opponent will then have ball in hand.
Nine object balls are racked in a diamond shape, using a traditional wood or plastic rack, with the number one ball at the top of the diamond and on the foot spot, the 9-Ball in the center of the diamond, and the other 7 balls in random order, racked as tightly as possible.
The game begins with cue ball in hand behind the head string.
The rules governing the break shot are the same as for other shots except:
a. The breaker must strike the 1 ball first and either pocket a ball or drive at least 4 numbered balls to the rail. If any ball is pocketed, he/she continues shooting.
b. If the cue ball is pocketed or driven off the table, or the requirements of the opening break are not met, it is a foul and the incoming player has cue ball in hand anywhere on the table.
c. If, on the break shot, the breaker causes an object ball to jump off the table, it is a foul and the incoming player has cue ball in hand from anywhere on the table. The object ball is not re-spotted (exception: if the object is the 9-Ball, it IS re-spotted).
d. A coin toss will determine who has the option to break in the first leg of the match. Players will then alternate the break. The away team will make the call.
On the shot immediately following a legal break, the shooter may play a "push out." (See Rule 5.)
If the breaker pockets one or more balls on a legal break, he/she continues to shoot until he/she misses, fouls, or wins the game.
If the player misses or fouls, the other player begins his/her inning and shoots until he/she misses, fouls, or wins. The game ends when the 9-ball is pocketed on a legal shot, or the game is forfeited for a serious infraction of the rules.
The player who shoots the shot immediately after a legal break may opt to take a push shot. If the breaker has potted one or more balls on a legal break, it will be his option.
If no balls were pocketed, the incoming player will have the option.
The push shot is a tactical shot that is generally used when the shooter has a high risk of fouling while attempting to hit the lowest numbered ball on the table after a break.
On a push shot, the cue ball is not required to contact any object ball nor any rail, nor must the lowest ball be hit. Any ball, or balls, can be either hit or pocketed.
If the 9-ball is pocketed, it will be re-spotted. All other balls will remain pocketed. All other foul rules still apply, including pocketing the cue ball.
The player must openly declare that he is playing a push out before he plays, or the shot is considered to be a normal shot.
Following a legal push out, the incoming player is permitted to shoot from that position or to pass the shot back to the player who pushed out.
A push out is not considered to be a foul. An illegal push out is penalized according to the type of foul committed. After a player scratches on the break shot, the incoming player cannot play a push out.
When a player commits a foul, he must relinquish his run at the table and no balls pocketed on the foul shot are re-spotted (exception: if a pocketed ball is the 9-ball, it is re-spotted). The incoming player is awarded ball in hand; prior to his first shot he may place the cue ball anywhere on the table.
If a player commits several fouls on one shot, they are counted as only one foul. Touching any ball in anyway e.g. with any part of the body, the rest, a cue, bridge, or clothing, is a foul. Basically just don't touch it. Even with the cue tip until you are ready to make it part of your shot else it is taken as the shot
If the first object ball contacted by the cue ball is not the lowest-numbered ball on the table, the shot is foul.
If no object ball is pocketed, failure to drive the cue ball or any numbered ball to a rail after the cue ball contacts the object ball is a foul.
When the cue ball is in hand, the player may place the cue ball anywhere on the bed of the table, except in contact with an object ball. He may continue to adjust the position of the cue ball until he takes a shot.
An un-pocketed ball is considered to be driven off the table if it comes to rest other than on the bed of the table. It is a foul to drive an object ball off the table. The jumped object ball(s) is not re-spotted (exception: if the object ball is the 9-ball, it is re-spotted) and play continues.
Jump shots are not allowed.
Coaching is permitted during play. A player who wishes may ask any question concerning the rules before making a shot, or ask for advice on strategy.
It is the player's responsibility to know the sequence of balls to be hit. However if any of his teammates sees him/her lining up for a shot on a ball out of sequence, it will not be a foul if they notify him.
8-Ball is a call shot game played with a cue ball and 15 object balls, numbered 1 through 15. One player must pocket balls 1 through 7 (solids or spots) while the other player has 9 through 15 (stripes). The player who pockets all the balls of his group first and then legally pockets the 8-Ball wins the game.
Obvious balls and pockets do not have to be nominated, though an opponent always has the right to ask which ball and pocket.
Bank shots and combination shots are generally not considered obvious, and should be nominated. It is not necessary to nominate specific details such as the number of rails, banks, kisses, caroms, etc.
Any additional balls pocketed on the shot remain pocketed, regardless of whether they belong to the shooter or his opponent.
If a ball other than the one nominated goes in or into a pocket other than the one nominated, it is loss of turn (not ball in hand).
The balls are racked in a triangle at the foot string of the table with the 8-Ball in the middle, any ball on the foot spot, and a solid and striped ball at the back corners.
The winner of the coin toss will have the option to break or pass it on to his opponent. From then on the match will be alternating break.
The player must shoot the cue ball from behind the head string and either pocket a numbered ball or drive at least 4 numbered balls to a rail. Failure to do so is a foul, and the incoming player then has the option of: accepting the table as it is and begin shooting, having the balls re-racked and then re-break, or asking the opponent to re-break.
It is not necessary to hit the front ball on the break, and the break is not a call shot. If a ball is pocketed on the break, the breaker continues shooting; if not, his opponent continues.
The table is considered open after a break, regardless of what balls were pocketed. The first legally pocketed ball after the break determines a player's group.
While the table is open, it is legal to hit any ball other than the 8-ball in order to pocket a nominated ball.
If a player scratches (cue ball is pocketed) or a ball is forced off the table on a legal break shot, it is a foul, with all pocketed balls remaining pocketed and the choice on ball group remaining open.
The opponent will have ball in hand which must be played from behind the head string, (also referred to as the Baulk Line) The player must also shoot forward and pass over the head the string before the cue ball can hit the object ball, no-matter where it may be on the table, e.g behind the head string.
So for example if after the scratch on a legal break, all the remaining balls on the table were behind the head string, the player with the ball in hand would foul unless they played forward to move the cue ball over the head string first before it may come back behind the head string to hit an object ball.
The legal position of any ball, with its base on the head string, is deemed to be forward of the head string. So in this case if the the object ball was so positioned, it would be legal to shoot forward to hit the object ball as the cue ball is deemed to have crossed the head string before hitting the object ball.
If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break, the breaker will have the option of spotting the 8-Ball or asking for a re-rack. If he scratches while doing so, the same option will go to his opponent.
On all shots (except on the break or when the table is open), a shooter must hit one of his group of balls first AND either pocket an object ball or cause a ball (any ball on the table) to be driven to a rail. Failure to do so is a foul.
All fouls will result in one-shot ball in hand, in which the cue ball may be placed anywhere on the table, except after a scratch on the break shot (see Rule 4.7).
The following infractions are considered fouls:
A. Failure to execute a legal shot as defined in the rules.
B. Pocketing the cue ball or driving any ball off the table.
C. Failure to make first contact with any of shooter’s group of balls.
D. Shooting without at least 1 foot touching the floor.
E. Failure to either pocket a ball or drive a ball to a rail.
F. Moving or touching any ball by any means other than by legal play (this includes all body parts, articles of clothing, bridges, and equipment).
G. Shooting while any ball is still in motion.
If an object ball is frozen to (touching) a rail, a shooter must either send it to another rail or make sure that the cue ball or any other ball reaches a rail. Failure to do so is a foul.
Illegally pocketed balls are not re-spotted, except the 8-Ball on a break.
If the cue ball is directly touching one of your group of balls, contact must still be made. You do not have the option of playing away. It is necessary to make contact with that or another ball, and a ball must make contact with a rail.
If the cue ball is touching one of your opponent’s balls, you must play away from that ball, make contact with one of your own balls, and make sure a ball is driven to the rail.
Jump shots are not allowed in the league.
Combination shots using your opponent’s balls or the 8 ball are allowed, providing one of your group of balls is the first to be hit.
Coaching is permitted during play.
A player who wishes may ask any question concerning the rules before making a shot, but may ask for advice on strategy.
It is the player's responsibility to know the sequence of balls to be hit.
If any teammates see one of their players him lining up for a shot on a ball out of sequence, it will not be a foul if they are notified.
If you drive an object ball off the table, it is a foul and the ball is not re-spotted.
A ball hanging precariously at the edge of a pocket falls in after being motionless for 5 seconds will be re-spotted as closely as possible to its position prior to falling.
As this is a call shot game, a shot on the 8-Ball need not be nominated if it is an obvious shot. A scratch or a foul on the shot is not loss of game unless the 8 Ball is pocketed or jumps off the table.
A player loses the game if he fouls while pocketing the 8-ball, jumps it off the table at any time, puts it in a pocket other than the one nominated, pockets it with any of his group of balls left on the table, or scratches while pocketing it.
As long as your ball is the first ball hit, pocketing your opponent’s ball is not considered a foul. It results in only a loss of turn, unless you pocket one of the balls in your group as well. The order is not relevant. You cannot nominate your opponent’s ball as a shot.
Update 9/30/2015 9:16:22 AM Page of Revision Sep 30 2015