General Rules of Pocket Billiards

Unless specifically stated to the contrary, these general rules apply to all pocket billiard games. Tables, Balls and all other equipment should meet the standards recommended by the BCA Equipment Specifications.

Racking the Balls
A triangle must be used for racking the balls with the apex ball on the foot spot and all the other balls lined up behind the apex ball in such a way that they are pressed together and have contact with each other.

Striking the Cue Ball
The cue ball can only be struck with the cue tip or else it is considered a foul.

Lag for Break
Players should use balls of equal weight and size for the lag for the opening break. Cue balls are preferable but non-striped object balls can be used if cue balls are unavailable.

One player stands to the right and the other stands to the left of the head spot with balls in hand behind the head string. The balls are simultaneously shot to the foot cushion and back to the head end of the table. The player whose ball lands nearest to the innermost edge of the head cushion is the winner of the lag. The lagged ball should necessarily make contact with the foot cushion at least once. Other cushion contacts do not count except for those that are prohibited.

Some of the instances when a loss of lag is automatically declared include:-

1. The ball crosses over to the opponents half of the table.
2. The ball does not make contact with the foot cushion.
3. The ball makes contact with the foot rail multiple times.
4. The ball drops into any pocket.
5. The ball jumps the table.
6. The ball touches the long cushion.
7. The ball comes to rest past the nose of the head cushion and within the corner pocket.

If the automatic-loss lag rules are violated by both partners, or if the referee cannot determine which ball is nearer, the lag is declared a tie and it has to be replayed.

Opening Break Shot
In a tournament or any formal competition, the opening break shot is determined by the lag break procedure. The player who wins the lot or lag can either choose to perform the opening the break shot or to assign it to the opponent.

Cue Ball on Opening Break
The player takes the opening break shot with cue ball in hand behind the head string. The positioning of the object balls is done in accordance with the specific game rules. On the opening break, once the cue tip strikes the cue ball and it crosses the head string, the game is considered to have begun.

Deflecting the Cue Ball on the Opening Break of the Game
On the break shot, if the cue ball is deflected or stopped prior to hitting the racked balls and after it has crossed the head string, it is considered a foul and the player loses their turn. The opponent now has the option of passing the cue ball in hand behind the head string back to the offending player or receiving the cue ball in hand behind the head string.