Rules & specifications
One shared version of the game
The specifications BAPTO helped set, and where to find the rules competitions play to now.
Which rules apply
The current BAPTO Tournament is played under Blackball rules, published with the event's own specific rules and dress code on bapto.co.uk. Below is BAPTO's own Official UK 8 Ball Rules, published March 2000, and the equipment specification the association helped set.
Equipment specification
The British pub table
Element
Standard
Note
Table size
7 ft
The familiar coin-operated pub table
Object balls
2 in
Reds and yellows, plus the black
Cue ball
1⅞ in
Undersized so the table can return it
Set by
BAPTO + BACTA
Still influencing equipment today
Official UK 8 Ball Rules ● Published March 2000
The BAPTO rule book
Ten sections, written so that a player from one county could walk into another county's final and know exactly where they stood. The referee is the sole judge of what is fair and unfair play.
1. The Game
Known as 8 Ball Pool, to be played in the true spirit of the game and in a sportsmanlike manner.
2. Requirements
A six-pocket table, fifteen balls plus the cue ball. Two groups of object balls, plus the black. Numbered sets run 1—7 plain and 9—15 striped.
3. Object of the Game
Pot your group in any order, then legally pot the black to win.
4. Commencement
Black on the 8 ball spot; order decided by a coin flip. A legal break pots a ball or sends at least two object balls past the centre-pocket line. Groups are nominated verbally after the break. Potting the black on the break is no penalty — re-rack and break again.
5. Fouls
Eighteen listed, including in-off, striking the opponent's ball first, missing every ball, jump shots, push strokes, a foot off the floor, playing out of turn, and touching a ball with body or clothing.
6. Penalty After a Foul
The oncoming player takes one free shot — cue ball where it lies or from the 'D', playable onto any ball including the black. The black may not be potted unless it is that player's legitimate winning ball.
7. Loss of Game
Potting the black early, going in off the black, making no attempt to play your own group, or deliberately touching a moving or dropping ball for advantage.
8. General
Definitions of the push stroke, cue ball in hand, player in control of the table, completion of the game, and playing away from a touching ball.
9. Stalemate
Where no legal shot can be played, the same player restarts the game — by accident or by design.
10. Guidance
Shot, visit and break defined. Coaching is unsportsmanlike. Both players must ensure groups are nominated. Referees manage slow play and reduced-ball re-racks.
This is a summary. The full text of all ten sections is published on the association's rules page.