Pool Rulebook
Pool Rulebook
PROFESSIONAL POOLPLAYERS
ASSOCIATION
The Evolution of Pool™
2018 Edition
U.S. Professional Poolplayers Association
United States Professional Poolplayers Association, at its option, may change, delete, suspend, or
discontinue parts or all of its policy at any time without prior notice. Copyright 2017. All Rights Reserved
Introduction 2017 Edition
Official UPA Rulebook for Amateur 8-Ball
Welcome to the official 8-ball rules of the UPA. The rules you are about to read and understand are the
collaboration of years of deliberation from our Touring Professionals; both foreign and domestic. Our
professionals have come together to ensure a simple, yet highly effective ruling system that is sure to
challenge you as a player while evolving your level of play.
Please note that due to issues of television, timed matches, and professional match play, some rules may
differ somewhat from the actual professional tour. The following rules have been slightly amended by our
Touring Pros and are intended for amateur use in pool rooms across the nation. These rules are utilized
by the UPA Amateur League of Champions™ without exception across the nation. UPA League Operators
are obligated to utilize these rules in conjunction with licensing rights.
It is our hope that your desire is to evolve your level of play and standard of sportsmanship. Going forward,
take the time to get to know and understand these rules, so that you can also educate and encourage
your fellow players. Furthering the education of our professional standards will result in nationwide
consistency that will help the overall vitality of the sport of pocket billiards in the United States of America.
The United States Professional Poolplayers Association (UPA) is dedicated to the evolution of the entire
sport of pocket billiards, so you can enjoy years of game play and continue to grow personally from your
experience in the game. The official motto of the UPA brand is The Evolution of Pool™ as we are
committed to every aspect of the sport and the vitality of it.
Feel free to contact the UPA if you have any questions or comments so that we may be able to further
assist you. Also be sure to join our League of Champions™ and watch your game rise to professional
standards.
I
Official UPA Rulebook for Amateur 8-Ball 2017 Edition
NOTE: The UPA acknowledges that tables may have flaws that do not allow for acceptable racks
directly upon the foot spot. In these cases, players are permitted to rack within a dime’s radius
of the direct foot spot to achieve a solid rack.
NOTE: Touching or positioning of balls after the rack has been removed is never permitted.
Player must re-rack if this occurs (see 9.5, Ball Tapping).
NOTE: If the cue ball is touched by the cue tip and does not meet the legal break requirement, it is
considered an “illegal break.”
Game play after a Legal Break:
When any numbered ball is pocketed on a legal break the breaking player is to continue their inning (see
5.0, Open Table). If the breaker makes a legal break, however, commits a foul on the legal break by
pocketing the cue-ball and/or sending any balls off the table, the game is to continue with the opponent
having ball in hand anywhere behind the head-string, however must shoot an object ball outside of the
“kitchen.”
NOTE: If the 8-ball was pocketed the result shall be a loss of game (see 4.2, Game Loss).
7.2 Scratch
Pocketing the cue ball or driving it off the table is a ball in hand foul. If a scratch occurs while
shooting the 8-ball, but the 8-ball was not pocketed or removed from the table, the game
continues with ball in hand to the opponent (scratching on the 8-ball is not a loss of game as
long as the 8-ball is still in play).
7.4 No Rail
If after the cue ball strikes a legal ball and neither the cue ball nor any other ball hits a rail or is
pocketed, it is a ball in hand foul. A “Frozen” (touching) object ball to the rail does not meet this
requirement by virtue of it not “hitting” a rail.
NOTE: Players are encouraged to mutually acknowledge when the object ball is “Frozen”
(touching) to the rail.
NOTE: Calling a referee to watch “the hit” is always preferable. The referee shall assume that a
foul has been committed if the 45° rule was not utilized by the shooter.
7.12 Interference
While the shooting player is at the table, the non-shooting player, as well as their teammates,
cannot disturb, make noises, move around, cause distraction (sharking) in any way. All players
P. 6 U.S. Professional Poolplayers Association (UPA) - www.upatour.com
Official UPA Rulebook for Amateur 8-Ball 2017 Edition
10.0 STALEMATE
If in 3 consecutive innings by each player, the players purposefully foul or scratch because both players
agree that any attempt to pocket or move an object ball would result in an immediate loss of the game,
then the game is considered a stalemate. At this time, the game would be re-racked and the breaker
would remain the same, maintaining the integrity of the alternate break format.
11.2 Forfeits
Teams are first allotted fifteen (15) minutes to begin league night activities, from the scheduled
start time; otherwise the offending team’s first match will be forfeited.
Teams/players are also allotted fifteen (15) minutes to begin their match after the end of the
previous match; otherwise the offending team/player’s match will be considered forfeit.
NOTE: Once a match is scheduled to start and a fifteen (15) minute count is desired, the Team
Captain is to notify a tournament official, or UPA representative for an official count.
NOTE: The use of headphones and other devices are not permitted. The use of racks and balls
not provided by the venue must be agreed upon by both players.
12.2 Referees
The League Operator (or his/her assistants) will perform the duties of a referee in the event that
referees are busy or not utilized. If the Tournament Director, his/her assistants, or a referee
cannot be found within a reasonable time frame, a spectator may sub as an official referee when
agreed upon by both players.
12.5 Scoring
Players are encouraged to score their own matches to ensure accuracy, however a third (3rd)
party may be permitted by the League Operator. The scorer is charged to accurately record what
actually took place on the pool table and may clarify with the shooter what the intention was
whenever needed. I.E. If it is believed a player is purposely calling a pocket, however actually
plays a safe, then a safety (S) shall be recorded. Likewise if a player calls a “safety” however
fouls, then a foul (F) is recorded. A player always has the right to consult the Scorecard with the
scorekeeper. Any disagreements shall be determined by the League Operator or an official UPA
representative.
12.11 Verification
The referee may use any means to gather needed information in order to make a decision
concerning a disputed play or game situation.
and it’s Touring Professionals before further instruction or implementation of the matter is
finalized.
13.1 Bylaws
These rules are consistent nationwide and are not to be altered in any way, shape, or form. The
implementation of any “Bylaws,” or any other document, is strictly prohibited by UPA Corporate
Office.
13.2 Addendums
From time to time there may be addendums issued by the UPA to the Official UPA Rulebook,
and it is each individual player’s responsibility to keep current.