BCA Pool Rules Reference

About These Rules

The Official Rules of CueSports International are used by the BCA Pool League (BCAPL) and the USA Pool League (USAPL) for all league competition and sanctioned tournaments. The rules are published by CueSports International (CSI), headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. The current version took effect June 1, 2023.

CSI maintains the position that these rules are distinct from other billiards rule sets and that other rule sets should not be used as a reference or guidance when applying CSI rules in play.

Equipment Specifications

The following specifications apply to CSI National Tournaments. They are not mandatory for all league play, but are recommended where possible. Paragraphs regarding balls, cues, and mechanical bridges apply to all CSI play.

Table Sizes

Table Size	Playing Surface
3½' x 7'	40" x 80" (±1/16")
4' x 8'	45" x 90" (±1/16")
4½' x 9'	50" x 100" (±1/16")

Table bed height is 30" (±½") from the floor. Cushion nose height is 129/64" (+1/64" or -1/32") from the playing surface. Corner pockets measure 4½" (±1/16") and side pockets measure 5" (±1/16") using the gate method.

Balls and Cues

Item	Specification
Ball diameter	2¼" (±.005")
Ball weight	5½ to 6 oz. All object balls in a match must be equal weight.
Cue tip width	14mm maximum. No minimum.
Cue weight	25 oz. maximum. No minimum.
Cue length	40" minimum. No maximum.
Cue tip material	Leather, fibrous, or pliable material.

A mechanical bridge must support the cue without elevating the bridge hand above the table bed or significantly enhancing the stability of the bridge hand. Its particular construction is otherwise not relevant, provided it does not damage the table or equipment.

General Rules

The General Rules apply to all CSI events and all games unless clearly contradicted by specific game rules.

Player Responsibility (Rule 1-1)

Each player is responsible for knowing the rules, applied rulings, regulations, and schedules for any CSI event they enter. Penalties may be incurred even when incorrect information is provided by a referee or event official.

Equipment (Rules 1-2, 1-3)

Once a match begins, provided equipment is accepted as standard and legal. Only a referee or event official may later declare equipment defective. Attempting to modify provided equipment during a match is a foul.

Permitted personal equipment includes: billiards gloves, cue extenders, and personal chalk (must closely match the cloth color). Electronic headgear, headphones, earphones, or earplugs of any kind are prohibited. Cell phones may be carried but not accessed during a match. All audible ringers must be disabled on the event floor.

Lag for Break (Rule 1-12)

Both players begin with ball in hand behind the head string and shoot simultaneously toward the foot cushion. The player whose ball comes to rest closest to the head cushion wins. A lag is lost if the ball fails to contact the foot cushion, contacts the foot cushion more than once, crosses the long string, contacts a side cushion, is pocketed or jumped, or comes to rest past the nose of the head cushion. The winner may break or require the opponent to break.

Racking (Rule 1-14)

The breaking player racks for themselves (except in 14.1 Continuous). Balls must be racked as tightly as possible. The opponent may inspect the rack and require one re-rack. If the players cannot agree after one re-rack, a referee racks the balls and the opponent must accept the referee's rack.

Shot Clock (Rule 1-15)

There is normally no time limit per shot. A referee may implement a 45-second shot clock if a player is delaying a match unnecessarily or in an unsportsmanlike manner. Each player receives one 45-second extension per rack (two extensions each if both players are on the hill). A player is considered down on the shot once in a customary shooting position; if already down when 10 seconds remain, the clock pauses at 10 seconds until the player stands up or shoots.

Legal Stroke (Rule 1-18)

The cue must be moved in a forward motion along its long axis. Any lifting, sideways, or brushing motion that propels the cue ball without a forward stroke is a foul.

Legal Shot (Rule 1-19)

For a shot to be legal, the cue ball must first contact a legal object ball (or simultaneously contact a legal and illegal object ball). After that contact, at least one of the following must occur: any object ball is pocketed, or any object ball or the cue ball contacts a cushion. If neither occurs, it is a foul.

If a ball involved in meeting the cushion contact requirement is declared frozen to a cushion before the shot, that ball must leave its frozen cushion and either contact a different cushion or contact another object ball before returning to the frozen cushion.

Fouls and Penalties (Rules 1-21 through 1-32)

Unless otherwise stated, a foul ends the player's inning and the opponent receives ball in hand. Common fouls include:

A miscue is not necessarily a foul (Rule 1-32). When more than one foul occurs on a single shot, only the most severe penalty applies (Rule 1-24).

Successive Fouls (Rule 1-22)

Applies to 9-Ball, 10-Ball, 14.1 Continuous, and One Pocket. Three consecutive fouls in one game result in loss of game. Before the third foul, the player on two fouls must be warned by the opponent or a referee, and must acknowledge the warning. If the warning is not given, the third foul is not treated as a third successive foul.

Calling Ball and Pocket (Rule 1-16)

In call shot games, the player must designate the called ball and called pocket before each shot. Obvious shots do not need to be called. The following types of shots are defined as not obvious and must always be called: bank shots, kick shots, combination shots, and shots involving non-incidental caroms, kisses, or cushion contacts.

Only one ball may be called per shot. If a player calls more than one ball or uses any conditional phrase such as "just in case," their inning ends regardless of outcome. A player calling a safety must do so verbally; gestures are not sufficient.

Disturbed Balls (Rule 1-33)

Accidentally touching or moving a single stationary object ball is not a foul unless the disturbed ball has an effect on the outcome of the shot. Effect is defined as the disturbed ball contacting any ball set in motion by the shot, or the base of any moving ball passing through a circle approximately seven inches in diameter centered on the disturbed ball's original position. Disturbing the cue ball, disturbing more than one object ball, or disturbing a ball in motion is always a foul.

Deliberate Fouls (Rule 1-40)

Deliberate fouls carry additional penalties beyond standard foul penalties. A mandatory warning is issued on the first violation, with second and subsequent violations of the same sub-section during a match penalized by loss of game. Deliberate fouls include: deflecting the cue ball after a break shot stroke, intentionally striking or moving the cue ball with anything other than the cue tip (except on ball in hand), picking up or contacting the cue ball while any ball is in motion, and intentionally stopping or deflecting any object ball by means other than a legal shot.

Coaching (Rule 1-41)

Asking for or intentionally receiving assistance in planning or executing any shot is a foul. Receiving unsolicited assistance from a spectator associated with the player (including being alerted to an opponent's foul) is also a foul.

Concession Rules (Rules 1-43, 1-44)

Players may not concede any game at any time. Verbal or non-verbal actions that lead the opponent to believe the game is awarded before its normal conclusion (including putting away equipment, marking a score sheet, or juggling coins before the game has ended) constitute a concession. Penalties escalate: first violation is a mandatory warning; second violation is loss of the conceded game plus one additional game deducted; third violation is loss of match.

If an opponent is on the hill and a player makes a motion to unscrew their playing cue during the opponent's inning, that player loses the match (Rule 1-44).

Spotting Balls (Rule 1-46)

Balls to be spotted are placed on the long string with the number facing up, beginning on the foot spot. Multiple balls are placed in ascending numerical order moving toward the foot of the table. If space is unavailable, balls are placed above the foot spot moving toward the head of the table. If other balls interfere, balls are placed as close as possible to the foot spot without moving the interfering balls.

8-Ball (Rules Section 2)

8-Ball is a call shot game played with a cue ball and fifteen object balls. Players are assigned a group (balls 1-7 or 9-15) and must pocket all balls in their group before attempting to legally pocket the 8-ball. The player who legally pockets the 8-ball wins. If you play in the USA Pool League, LineUp Magic calculates every valid lineup for your USAPL roster automatically.

8-Ball Break Requirements (Rule 2-3)

The break begins with ball in hand behind the head string. The break is not a called shot. To achieve a legal break, the player must legally pocket a ball or cause at least four object balls to contact one or more cushions. If the break is illegal, the opponent may re-rack and break, or require the breaker to re-rack and break again.

If the breaker fouls on a legal break without pocketing the 8-ball, any other pocketed object balls remain pocketed and the opponent receives ball in hand anywhere on the table. Jumped object balls other than the 8-ball are not returned to the table. If the 8-ball is jumped on the break, it is spotted.

8-Ball Pocketed on the Break (Rule 2-4)

Establishing Groups (Rule 2-6)

Groups are established when the first object ball is legally pocketed on a shot after the break. The player pocketing that ball is assigned that group. Groups cannot be established on a safety. Once established, groups cannot change for the remainder of the game. If players are later found to have been shooting the wrong groups, the game is replayed with the original breaker breaking again.

Loss of Game in 8-Ball (Rule 2-10)

You lose the 8-ball game if you: illegally pocket the 8-ball; jump the 8-ball off the table on any shot other than the break; pocket the 8-ball on the same shot as the last ball of your group; violate any General Rule that requires loss of game; pocket the 8-ball on a shot defined as not obvious that you did not call; or commit a deliberate foul under Rule 1-33-4 or 1-33-7 that results in the 8-ball falling into a pocket.

9-Ball (Rules Section 3)

9-Ball is played with a cue ball and nine object balls numbered 1 through 9. The balls must be shot in ascending numerical order. The 9-ball is the game-winning ball. The game is won by the player who legally pockets the 9-ball on any legal shot.

9-Ball Rack (Rule 3-2)

The balls are racked in a diamond shape with the 1-ball as the apex ball on the foot spot. The rows behind the apex are parallel to the foot string. The 9-ball is placed in the middle of the rack. The remaining balls are placed at random.

9-Ball Break Requirements (Rule 3-3)

The break begins with ball in hand behind the head string. The cue ball must contact the 1-ball before any other ball or cushion, or it is a foul. The player must either legally pocket a ball or cause at least four object balls to contact one or more cushions, or it is a foul. If the 9-ball is legally pocketed on the break, the player wins the game. If the 9-ball is jumped on the break, it is spotted.

Push-out After the Break (Rule 3-4)

If there was no foul on the break, the player taking the first shot after the break may declare a push-out. The player must notify the opponent before shooting and the opponent must acknowledge. On a push-out, the cue ball does not have to contact the lowest numbered ball, and no ball is required to contact a cushion. All other rules and fouls still apply. After a push-out without a foul, the opponent may accept the table in position or require the shooter to shoot again. Object balls pocketed on a push-out remain pocketed except the 9-ball, which is spotted.

9-Ball Continuing Play (Rule 3-5)

After the break (and push-out if taken), the lowest numbered ball on the table must be the first object ball contacted by the cue ball or it is a foul. If any ball is legally pocketed, the player's inning continues. If the 9-ball is illegally pocketed or jumped, it is spotted. Other jumped or illegally pocketed balls are not returned to the table.

Three Successive Fouls in 9-Ball (Rule 3-6)

Three successive fouls in one game result in loss of game.

10-Ball (Rules Section 4)

10-Ball is a call shot game played with a cue ball and ten object balls numbered 1 through 10. Balls must be shot in ascending numerical order. The 10-ball is the game-winning ball. The object of the game is to legally pocket the 10-ball after the break.

10-Ball Rack (Rule 4-2)

The balls are racked in a triangle with the 1-ball as the apex on the foot spot. Rows behind the apex are parallel to the foot string. The 10-ball is in the middle of the row of three balls. The 2-ball and 3-ball are placed on the ends of the last row (left/right orientation does not matter). Remaining balls are placed at random.

10-Ball Break Requirements (Rule 4-3)

The break is not a called shot. The cue ball must contact the 1-ball first or it is a foul. The player must legally pocket a ball or cause at least four object balls to contact one or more cushions, or it is a foul. If the 10-ball is legally pocketed on the break, it is spotted and the breaker's inning continues. If the 10-ball is jumped on the break, it is spotted.

10-Ball Push-out (Rule 4-4)

The push-out rule in 10-Ball follows the same procedure as 9-Ball (see above). Object balls pocketed on a push-out remain pocketed except the 10-ball, which is spotted.

10-Ball Continuing Play (Rule 4-5)

The lowest numbered ball must be contacted first or it is a foul. The 10-ball is spotted if illegally pocketed or jumped. Other illegally pocketed balls are not spotted. The player's inning continues as long as they legally pocket a called ball. If the 10-ball is incidentally pocketed on a shot in which another called ball is legally pocketed, the 10-ball is spotted.

Opponent's Option in 10-Ball (Rule 4-8)

If the shooter illegally pockets any ball, the opponent may accept the table in position or require the shooter to shoot again.

Three Successive Fouls in 10-Ball (Rule 4-9)

Three successive fouls in one game result in loss of game.

Other Games

One Pocket (Rules Section 5)

One Pocket is played with fifteen object balls. Only the two corner pockets at the foot of the table are target pockets. Each player is assigned one of the two foot corner pockets before the break. The first player to score eight balls in their own target pocket wins. A foul requires the player to spot one previously scored ball, reducing their score by one. Three successive fouls in one game result in loss of game.

14.1 Continuous / Straight Pool (Rules Section 6)

14.1 Continuous is a call shot game played with fifteen object balls to a predetermined point total. After fourteen balls of a rack are pocketed, they are re-racked (apex space vacant) and play continues by shooting the remaining fifteenth ball into the new rack. A legally pocketed called ball scores one point; additional balls pocketed on the same shot also score one point each. A foul results in a one-point deduction. A deliberate foul results in a one-point foul penalty plus an additional fifteen-point penalty. Three successive fouls result in a foul penalty plus an additional fifteen-point penalty and a required re-rack.

Bank Pool (Rules Section 7)

Bank Pool requires all scored balls to be pocketed as the result of a bank shot. A ball pocketed in addition to the called ball is illegally pocketed. The long rack game (fifteen balls) is won at eight balls; the short rack game (nine balls) is won at five balls. For games of three, four, or five players, the winning score is five, four, or three balls respectively.

Wheelchair Rules (Rules Section 8)

Wheelchair competition under CSI rules is limited to players with a mobility-impaired disability requiring use of a wheelchair. Players must remain seated on the cushion or seat of the wheelchair with at least one cheek on the seat or cushion when striking the cue ball. Feet must be kept clear of the floor when striking the cue ball. Players with the more limiting classification (unable to make a functional bridge with the non-cueing hand) may have another person hold the bridge, but that person may not assist with the actual stroke.

Scotch Doubles (Rules Section 9)

In Scotch Doubles, teammates alternate shots during their inning. The order of play must be maintained between innings; shooting out of turn is a foul. Open communication between partners is allowed during their inning. Communication between partners may not result in more than approximately 45 seconds between shots. The non-shooting partner may point at or touch the table while advising but may not touch any ball or mark the table. Each team receives one five-minute time-out per match, taken between games.

Referees and Event Officials (Rules Section 10)

CSI referees are the final authority on all matters of judgment during a match, including whether a stroke or hit was legal, whether a ball contacted a cushion, whether a ball is frozen, whether a shot was obvious, and whether conduct is unsportsmanlike. A referee's authority extends to the entire event venue while in uniform.

Referees must answer factual questions about rules. They may not offer opinions on subjective matters, such as whether a legal hit can be made or how table conditions might affect play. Referees may only be called to a table by the players involved in the game. When calling a foul, the referee announces the ruling and a brief description of the violation. If a referee is not certain a foul occurred, the benefit of the doubt goes to the shooter.

Frequently Asked Questions

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This page is an independent educational summary of the Official Rules of CueSports International, published by CueSports International (CSI) at playcsipool.com, effective June 1, 2023. All rule content is paraphrased from the CSI official rules document for reference purposes only. LineUp Magic is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by CueSports International, the BCA Pool League, or the USA Pool League. For official rules, consult the full document at playcsipool.com.