8-Ball Rules

NAPA League Operators have two interference rule options available to them for local leagues.

Option #1:  All Ball Fouls

ANY accidental movement(s) of ANY ball(s) during a shooter's turn at the table is a ball-in-hand foul.

Incoming player has option to move the ball(s) back to their original position. Pocketed balls stay down.

If the 8-ball is interfered with and the 8-ball falls into a pocket, it is a loss of game. 

Option #2:  The NAPA Standard 

THE FOLLOWING APPLIES AT ANY TIME DURING YOUR SHOT.  BEFORE OR AFTER YOU STROKE THE CUE BALL DOES NOT MATTER.

1. If the cue ball is accidentally moved at any time, this is a ball in hand foul.
    
2. If more than one ball is moved at any time, this is a ball in hand foul.
    
3. If only one object ball (any ball other than the cue ball) is accidentally moved, no foul has occurred unless one of the following occurs:​

   1. If the moved ball contacts another ball.

   2. The moved ball is pocketed.
      
      In the instance where only one object ball has been moved and no foul has occurred, the shooter must ask the opponent if they want the ball that was moved to be returned to its original position or left where it came to rest. Failure to do so is a ball in hand foul.
      
      If it is requested by the opponent that the moved ball be placed back to its original position the shooter must move the ball back to the original position.

      If the 8-ball is interfered with and the 8-ball falls into a pocket, it is a loss of game. 
       

4. ​If a moving ball is accidentally touched, moved, bumped or interfered with, it is a ball in hand foul.
    

5. If a foul has occurred, any moved balls must stay where they came to rest. Any pocketed balls must stay pocketed.
    

SPECIAL SITUATIONS (Applies to Option #1 and Option #2)

 
1. Intentionally moving any ball, directly (picking up, pushing, touching, rolling, bumping, blowing on) or indirectly (such as hitting, pounding, bumping, stomping, slapping the table or floor that may cause a vibration and possibly altering an outcome), is a loss of rack (and poor sportsmanship).
 
2. If there was outside interference or act of God:

2.1 If you can restore the table and the 8-ball was not pocketed – Balls shall be replaced as near as possible to their original positions immediately prior to the incident and play shall resume with no penalty on the shooter affected.
 

2.2 If you cannot restore the table or the 8-ball was pocketed – Shooters shall replay the game with the original shooter breaking. 

Pocketing the cue ball or driving it off the table is a ball in hand foul.

If the first object ball contacted by the cue ball is not a numbered ball from the shooter’s established group, it is a ball in hand foul. If the shooter has no remaining balls from his/her group in play, the 8-ball must then be contacted first

If, after the cue ball first strikes a legal ball, and neither the cue ball nor any other ball on the table hits a cushion or is pocketed, it is a ball in hand foul.

If any ball is jumped off the table and comes to rest off of the playing surface, it is a ball in hand foul and loss of turn, unless it is the 8-ball, which is a loss of game. All balls that come to rest off of the playing surface are placed on the same foot spot where the rack took place in numerical order. If there are any balls on the foot spot or blocking the foot spot the balls that were knocked off the table are to be placed directly behind the balls blocking the foot spot toward the foot cushion.

FOREIGN OBJECT: Causing any ball to be jumped off of the table, come into contact with any foreign object while off of the table, then lands back onto the playing surface is a foul. The incoming shooter has cue ball in hand. The table is to remain in its current position where the balls came to a final rest. If the 8-ball is pocketed during this foul it is a loss of game for the shooter.

Failure to have at least one foot on the floor at the moment the cue tip strikes the cue ball is a foul, unless the shooter is prevented by an obvious, physical handicap and that handicap is very clearly declared to both team captains and all participating shooters before the team match commences.

Any miscue on a jump shot is a cue ball in hand foul. A legal jump shot must be executed by stroking down through the cue ball (no scooping or miscues).

Shooting while any ball is moving or spinning is a ball in hand foul.

If the cue tip strikes the cue ball twice on the same stroke it is a ball in hand foul.

The base of the cue ball must be inside the head string on the break

Marking the table in any way, which could provide a shooter with an advantage in executing a shot and then executing a shot, is a ball in hand foul.

NOTE:
Placing of the cue chalk on the felted surface of the rail or partially on the felted surface of the rail, by the SHOOTER, a coach, any team player or any 3rd party and then executing a shot, is a ball in hand foul.

Placing of the cue chalk on the hard surface of the rail not the felt is not considered marking the table and is NOT a foul. 

Out of play balls may not be used to measure gaps or spaces of any kind. Using any equipment in a non-customary manner is a ball in hand foul.

After a time clock (or watch) has been instituted, any violation of the allotted shot time, is a cue ball in hand foul. See rule “Time Allotment” under the section titled “General Rules”

A shooter can only commit one foul per turn. If a shooter commits several fouls on one shot, they are counted as only one foul.

All fouls must be called immediately after they happen. Calling a foul a shot later, or multiple shots later is not a legal foul call.

EXCEPTION: In 8-ball, if a player proceeds to successfully make his/her opponent's group of balls in one shot or multiple shots during the shooter's turn, the opponent may call a foul at any time during the succession of shots. It is a ball in hand foul and the incoming shooter resumes shooting with their original group of balls.