Entry Criteria

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Blackball Pool – Singles Tournament Entry Criteria & Rules

Entry Criteria

• Eligibility: Open to all division 3 players with a minumum of 15 frames played 
• Entry Fee: £5 per player (payment recived comfirms entry into compertition) 
• Registration: Player must register before the draw closes.
• Cash payments will be marked of as soon as recived 
• Bank transfer payments will be comfirmed at end of each month until closing date 

Rules

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Blackball Pool Rules – Singles

1. 

Equipment

• Standard 6-pocket pool table.
• 15 object balls: 7 reds, 7 yellows, and 1 black (8-ball).
• 1 cue ball (white).

2. 

Objective of the Game

The aim is to legally pot all balls of your chosen colour group (reds or yellows) and then legally pot the black ball to win the frame.

3. 

Starting the Frame

• A lag or coin toss decides who breaks first.
• The balls are racked with the black ball in the centre of the triangle, and the apex ball on the foot spot.
• A legal break must:
• Pot at least one object ball, or
• Drive at least two object balls past the baulk line (the line at the opposite end of the table).
• If the break is illegal, the opponent gets two visits and an open table.

4. 

Choosing Colours

• The table is open after the break (no colours assigned).
• The first legally potted ball after the break decides the player’s group (reds or yellows).
• If both colours are potted in one visit on an open table, the player chooses their group.

5. 

Continuing Play

• Players continue their turn as long as they legally pot their own group balls.
• Once all balls from a player’s group are potted, they must pot the black ball to win the frame.

6. 

Fouls

Common fouls include:

• Failing to hit your own group ball first (unless on an open table).
• Potting the white ball (in-off).
• Failing to hit a cushion after contact.
• Potting the black ball before your group is cleared.
• Not having at least one foot on the floor while striking the cue ball.

Penalty for a foul:

• Opponent receives two visits and a free table (they may play any ball first, including the black if it’s not to pot it).

7. 

Loss of Frame

A player loses the frame if they:

• Pot the black ball before their group balls are cleared.
• Pot the black and the white ball in the same shot.
• Deliberately foul or unsporting conduct occurs (e.g., moving balls by hand).
• Fail to make a legal attempt at their own group when required.

8. 

Winning the Frame

• The player wins the frame by legally potting the black ball after clearing all their group balls.
• A match is won by the first player to reach the required number of frames race to 3 (best of 5) and race to 5 (best of 7) in the finals.

9. 

Refereeing / Self-Officiating

• In singles matches, players often self-referee at club level.
• Disputes should be resolved by re-racking or consulting a neutral player/referee if available.