UK 8 Ball Pool Rules EPA

This is the older EPA version of UK 8 ball pool rules. Most have adopted World Eightball Pool Federation Rules. These rules have remained posted as some leagues remain that use these rules.

UK 8 Ball Pool Rules heretofore assume that the game is to be played in a sportsmanlike manner. UK 8 Ball referees have virtually unlimited power within the game to ensure that each player is observing the rules of UK 8 Ball.

UK 8 Ball EPA Rules

UK 8 Ball is played on a six pocket, rectangular billiard table with 15 object balls plus one cue ball. The 15 object balls are divided up in to two distinct colors plus one black eight ball. North American, numerical balls may be used, where the low balls, numbered one through seven are the plain colors and the high balls, numbered nine through fifteen are the striped colored balls. The balls within the two groups of balls are known as object balls.

EPA UK 8 Ball Rules

1. Balls are racked according to the numerical diagram below. The black eight ball is placed on the 8 ball spot. the 8 ball spot is located at the intersection of the corner pockets and the enter.
   
2. Players flip a coin to determine the order of play. The player who wins the coin toss has the choice of breaking or of requesting his or her opponent to break.
3. The shooter to perform the break shot shoots for the triangle of racked object balls by hitting the cue ball from any spot on or within the "D" area. This shooter must pocket a ball off the break shot, or must cause at least two object balls to return back up the table past the center line. To accomplish this, the center of the object ball(s) must pass the line connecting the centers of the two side pockets. The balls may then travel back to the other half of the table again. If the player fails to meet these UK 8 Ball requirements will result in the balls being re-racked. The initial breaking player's opponent now has the chance to break and the chance for one visit. They must nominate their choice of balls after the break shot occurs.
4. With the exception of a foul break shot as detailed in UK 8 Ball rule three above, the following caveats must be met after the initial break shot has occurred:
   1. If the breaking player pockets a ball off of the break shot, they must nominate their choice of group of balls before proceeding to their next shot. To do this, they must choose either the group one-seven or the group nine-fifteen. If the breaking player does not pocket a ball off of the break, or fouls, they must still call their choice of group before leaving the table.
   2. If the breaking player pockets one color, they shall still have the choice to nominate either color. This nomination shall determine colors for the game.
   3. If the black ball is pocketed, the balls are re-racked and the game is restarted by the same player.
5. No longer in use in EPA UK 8 Ball Rules as it has become obsolete.
6. If the 8 ball is pocketed from the break, the same player shall restart the game. The balls are simply re-racked and no penalty is to be incurred. If other object balls or the cue ball should be pocketed, the game is still restarted with a re-rack and no fouls are assessed.
7. General:
   1. Should one or more object balls be pocketed off the break shot, the shooting player may continue at the table untill:
      1. they fail to pocket one of his or her declared set of balls, or,
      2. they commit a foul.
   2. The use of combination shots is allowed so long as the player, unless rule 6b applies, strikes one of his or her own group of balls first.

The shooting player can legally pocket one or more of their opponent's object ball(s) so long as one or more balls from their own group of ball are pocketed during that same shot.

UK 8 Ball Rules Foul Shots

Below is list of fouls as outlined under UK 8 Ball Rules:

1. In-off shots which result in the cue ball being pocketed
2. Striking the opponent's balls before his or her own balls. The exception to this rule is when rule 6b applies.
3. Failure to strike any object ball with the cue ball.
4. Performance of jump shots. A foul results when a cue ball is jumped over any part of any object ball before making contact with another object ball.
5. If a player strikes the eight ball with the cue ball on first impact before his or her own balls have been pocketed. The exception to this rule is when either rule 4j or rule 6b applies.
6. When any ball is shot off of the table.
   1. If the cue ball is shot from the table, it is to be played from any position within, or on, the "D" line.
   2. If the 8 ball, or any object ball is shot from the table it shall be returned to, or as near as possible to, the 8ball spot as possible without it touching another ball.
   A ball shall be deemed to have left the table when it comes to rest in a place other than on the playable area of the table.
7. When an opponent's ball is potted. The exception to this rule is when either rule 4j or rule 6b applies.
8. If a player's body of clothing comes in to contact with any ball
9. If a player does not keep at least one foot on the floor at all times
10. If a player plays out of his or her turn. To "play" is to take a stroke.
11. If a player begins playing with, or touches with the cue, any ball other than the cue ball.
12. If a player begins a new shot before the balls have come to a rest.
13. If a player begins a new shot before any balls that must be re-spotted have been placed in their proper spots.
14. If a player strikes the cue ball with the cue tip more than one time per shot.
15. If a player fails to nominate according to rules 4d or 4f, should they apply.
16. If a player fouls on the break shot according to rule 4c.
17. If a player commits a push on a stroke according to rule 8a.
18. If the shooting player moves the 8 ball or any object ball when playing away from that ball.

General UK 8 Ball Rules Notes and Definitions

1. A push stroke is to be defined as a stroke in which the tip of the cue remains in contact with the cue ball after the cue ball has began it's forward motion.
2. Cue ball in hand refers to a situation where the shooting player may play from any position on or within the "D" and may play in any direction.
3. A player is deemed to be in control of the table from the time that his or her body, cue, or clothing touches the table prior to his or her shot, through the visit, and up to the point at which the opponent's body, cue, or clothing touches the table prior to their shot. Any balls which fall into the pockets during the period in which a player is in control of the table, including the 8 ball, are said to have been pocketed by that player. That player is thus liable to any penalties or benefits that would normally be handed to him or her for pocketing the ball(s) as outlined in these UK 8 Ball Rules.
4. Players are required to play away from any touching ball(s) and must play in such a way that causes no movement of the contacting balls per rule 5c. If the touching ball is not part of the shooting player's group of balls, he or she must strike one of his or her own group of balls. In cases where rule 6b applies, the player must shoot away from a touching ball and is deemed to have played that ball.
5. The game of UK 8 Ball is completed when the 8 ball is pocketed in any pocket, and all of the remaining balls, including the cue ball, have come to rest except when and where rule 4g applies.
6. A referee may, if required, advise on the rules of UK 8 Ball.
7. The term "Visit" shall refer to making one shot, or a series of shots.
8. The term "Shot" shall refer to the act of striking the cue ball one time.
9. Coaching is deemed to be unsportsmanlike behavior as described in rule 1
10. The term "Break" shall refer to the first shot of the game, or the first shot of a game that has been restarted.

UK 8 Ball Rules - Foul Penalties

UK 8 Ball Pool Rules specify various penalties depending on the foul committed. Below are several regulations pertaining to UK 8 Ball fouls.

1. When a player commits any of the infractions listed above, the incoming player may play the cue ball from where it lies at the time, or from on or within the "D" line. It should be noted that the movement of the cue ball to the "D" does not constitute a visit or a shot.
2. When a player commits any of the infractions listed above, the incoming player is entitled to one free shot with which he or she may, without additional nomination, play the cue ball directly at any ball inclusive of the opponent's object balls and the 8 ball. It should be noted that at this juncture, the incoming player may not pocket the 8 ball, since it would mean the loss of game. This is, of course, unless the player has already pocketed all of their group of object balls.
3. Once the single free shot has been performed, the player shall commence his or her normal inning.

In UK 8 Ball Rules, the loss of game can occur based on four different scenarios.

1. Any player to pocket the 8 ball before he or she has cleared his or her entire group of balls, except as allowed under UK 8 Ball Rule 4g, loses the game.
2. Any player to go in-off the 8 ball when the 8 ball is pocketed, loses the game.
3. Any player to obviously and clearly fail to make any attempt to play a ball from his or her own group of balls, loses the game.
4. Any player who deliberately seeks an advantage via touching a moving ball or retrieving a ball that has dropped in to a pocket, loses the game.

UK 8 Ball Stalemate

In UK 8 ball, there may be the unusual occasion of a stalemate. Should this situation present itself and no legal shot can possibly be played, then the UK 8 Ball game shall be restarted by the same player as in the original. This applies whether the stalemate situation occurred by accident or by design. If the referee deems neither player to be allowing the game to progress, he or she may declare a stalemate. In such cases, the game shall be restarted by the same player as in the original.

UK 8 Ball Pool Rules EPA

If you have any questions about UK 8 Ball Pool Rules EPA, please post them in the pool rules forum.

UK 8 Ball Pool Rules EPA History

According to Nik Hammond, in an article he posted to uk8ball.com, pool has been around in the UK since the 1970s.

The official UK 8 Ball Pool Rules EPA are predominently observed in England.

The official governing body for UK 8 Ball Pool Rules EPA is the English Pool Association.

How to Play UK 8 Ball Pool EPA

• Pocket Billiards Rules
• Pool Rules

Questions about UK 8 Ball Pool Rules EPA:

• EPA - UK 8 Ball Pool World Rules Questions
• epa world pool rules
• Declaring Shot After Foul in Blackball
• Win after Potting Opponent's Last Ball in UK 8 Ball?
• Foul Snooker in UK/International Eightball

• Title: UK 8 Ball Pool Rules EPA
• Author: billiardsforum (Billiards Forum)
• Published: 2/16/2008 11:53:00 AM
• Last Updated: 1/8/2017 9:20:49 AM
• Last Updated By: billiardsforum
• Source: EPA Website

UK 8 Ball Pool Rules EPA

The UK 8 Ball Pool Rules EPA article belongs to the Pocket Billiards Rules category. Pocket billiards is a class of cue sport game commonly referred to as pool.

UK 8 Ball Pool Rules EPA Comments

There are not yet any comments. Please post one below. All comments are moderated.

Reply and share your comments below:

Message:

upload a photo or document

use plain text or markdown syntax only

Name, Username, or Nickname: Location: Email: Enter Verification Code: