8-Ball Challenge

Mississippi College does not provide accident insurance coverage for injuries received by Intramural participants. Each participant should make sure that he/she has coverage either through family policies or the student insurance plan. We cannot emphasize this point enough.

Mississippi College PROHIBITS possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages on University property. This includes the Intramural Fields and Complexes. Violators will be asked to leave the area. Failure to do so can result in forfeiture of the ball game, suspension of individuals and/or teams, and appropriate action by the University Judicial Office .

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I. GENERAL ELIGIBILITY

1 . Participation is limited to currently enrolled, fee-paying MC students, faculty members, and full-time staff. All areas of eligibility are covered in the Intramural By-Laws.

2. In order to participate in an Intramural contest each player must present their validated MC ID Card. Exceptions must be directed to the Intramural Sports Office for consideration by the IM staff.

II. MATCH LENGTH

1 . A match shall consist of a single game.

2. The tournament will be single elimination format.

III. RULES

OBJECT OF THE GAME : The game is played with a cue ball and fifteen balls, numbered 1 thru 15 . One player must pocket balls of the group 1 thru 7 (solid colors), while the other player has 9 thru 15 (stripes). THE PLAYER POCKETING HIS OR HER GROUP FIRST AND THEN LEGALLY POCKETING THE 8-BALL WINS THE GAME.

8-BALL POCKETED ON BREAK : Making the 8-Ball on a break will be neither a win nor a loss, but the shooter will be allowed to determine whether it will be a Re-rack or the 8-Ball is to be spotted, with the same shooter staying at the table.

LEGAL BREAK SHOT: To execute a legal break, the shooter (with the cue ball behind the headstring ) must either (1) pocket a ball, or (2) drive four balls to the rail. If the shooter fails to make a legal break, it is not a foul, however, the opponent has the option of (1) accepting the table position and shooting, or (2) having the balls re-racked and shooting the opening break again. It is not necessary to hit the head ball (the ball that is on the foot spot) to initiate a legal break in 8-Ball.

SCRATCH ON A LEGAL BREAK : If a player scratches on a legal break shot, (1) all balls pocketed remain pocketed except the 8-Ball, which is spotted, (2) R is a foul, (3) the table is open.

LEGAL SHOT : On all shots (except on the break and when the table is open), the shooter must hit one of his group of balls first, and (1) pocket an object ball, or (2) cause the cue ball or any object ball to contact a rail. PLEASE NOTE: It is okay for the shooter to bank the cue ball off of a rail before contacting an object ball, however, after contact with an object ball, an object ball must be pocketed, OR, the cue ball or any object ball must contact a rail.

CHOICE OF GROUP : The choice of stripes or solids is not determined on the break even if balls are made from only one or both groups. THE TABLE IS ALWAYS OPEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BREAK SHOT . The choice of group is only determined when a player legally pockets an object ball after the break shot.

SCORING : A player is entitled to continue shooting until they fail to legally pocket a ball of their group. After a player has legally pocketed his entire group of balls, he shoots to pocket the 8-Ball.

FOULS : The following infractions result in fouls:

1. Failure to execute a legal shot as defined above.

2. A scratch shot, (shooting the cue ball into a pocket or off the table).

3. A scratch shot on a legal break.

4. Shooting without at least one foot touching the floor.

5. Moving or touching any balls by means other than legal play.

6. In organized competition (league and tournament play), a team member may not advise or coach another team member who is the shooter at the time. If this occurs, R will be ruled as a foul on the team member shooting.

FOUL PENALTY : Opposing player gets cue ball in hand. This means that the player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table (does not have to be behind the headstring except on the opening break). This rule prevents a player from making intentional fouls, which would put the opponent at a disadvantage. With a "cue ball in hand", the player may position the cue ball on the table by hand (more than once if necessary). After placing the cue ball, the shaft and the ferrule of the cue stick (not the tip) may also be used for positioning the cue ball for shooting.

COMBINATION SHOTS : Combination shots are allowed: however, the 8-Ball cannot be used as a first ball in the combination except when the table is open.

OBJECT BALLS JUMPED OFF TABLE : If any object ball is jumped off the table, it is a miss and loss of turn, not a foul. The shooter's object ball(s) is spotted and any of the opponent's jumped balls will be pocketed.

LOSS OF GAME : A player loses the game if they commit any of the following infractions:

1. Fouls when pocketing the 8-Ball.

2. Pockets 8-Ball on the same stroke as the last of their group of balls.

3. Jumps the 8-Ball off of the table at anytime.

4. Pockets the 8-Ball in a pocket other than the one so designated.

5. Pockets the 8-Ball when it is not the legal object ball.

NOTE: When shooting at the 8-Ball, a scratch or foul is not a loss of game if the 8-Ball is not pocketed or jumped from the table