2025-2026
BALL IN HAND POOL LEAGUE RULES
STANDINGS AND
SCHEDULES ARE AVAILABLE AT www.acmemusic.co
PRESIDENT KARL
SONTHEIMER 816-262-2484
VICE PRESIDENT BILL SAMPLE 816-351-5939
LEAGUE COORDINATOR GWEN SILL 816-261-0836
Revised August 2025
Ball In
Hand League starts at 7:00 P.M.
TEAMS
All teams must have
five (5) individual players, but no more than nine (9) players on the team’s
roster.
All league players
must be at least 21 years old.
If a player needs
to leave the match early, a maximum of one player per team will be allowed to
play through. The player/s shooting through are expected to leave when their
games are done. Players shooting through will be identified on the score sheet.
Players will not be allowed to shoot out more than four (4) times per
season. If players from each team are
shooting out, the player of the home team will shoot out first.
Open subs will
continue. Subs will be identified on the score sheet.
Teams cannot have
more than one master player on the Summer League.
MONEY/ENVELOPES FOR FALL LEAGUE
NOTE: EACH PLAYER
WILL PAY $10.00 PER PERSON,
TOTALING $50.00 PER TEAM. THE TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR MONEY EACH
WEEK AS FOLLOWS:
HOME TEAM: $40.75 IN THE ENVELOPE $9.25 IN
THE CUP/TABLE
VISITING TEAM: $40.50 IN THE ENVELOPE $9.50 IN
THE CUP/TABLE
Note: In case of a bye week or a
forfeit week, the team needs to pay $40.00 ($8.00 per player) for that
week or it can come out of the team’s payback. If the team wants ball count, a
scoresheet with five (5) team members’ names must be turned in the same week as
the bye or forfeit. Late scoresheets will result in no ball count.
MONEY/ENVELOPES FOR SUMMER LEAGUE
NOTE: EACH PLAYER WILL PAY $10.00 PER PLAYER, TOTALING
$30.00 PER TEAM. THE TEAM
IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
THEIR MONEY EACH WEEK AS FOLLOWS:
HOME TEAM: $24.25 IN THE ENVELOPE $5.75 IN THE CUP/TABLE
VISITING TEAM: $24.50 IN THE ENVELOPE $5.50 IN THE
CUP/TABLE
Note: In case of a bye week or a forfeit week, the team
needs to pay $24.00 ($8.00 per player) for that week or it can come out of the team’s
payback. If the team wants ball count, a scoresheet with three (3)
team members’ names
must be turned in the same week as the bye or forfeit. Late scoresheets
will result in no
ball count.
DELIVER YOUR
ENVELOPES TO: ACME MUSIC CO., 1701 FREDERICK AVE., ST. JOSEPH, MO 64501. There
is a mail slot on the right side of the garage door on Frederick next to the
Show Room. Place your envelope there if it is after hours. Envelopes should be
in no later than 8:00 a.m. on Friday. If envelopes are not returned by this
time, it may result in forfeiture of all points won. Each team is responsible
for their envelope.
CAPTAIN'S DUTIES
COLLECTING FEES: It
is each captain's duty to make sure that the envelopes have the full amount of
money in them each week. Any amount of money that is short will be deducted
from the team's winnings at the end of the season.
OFFICIATING: Only
the player involved may call a foul. A player must stop shooting when a foul is
called. If a player refuses to yield to a foul call, the opposing player may
protest. All fouls must be called and acknowledged before the next shot is taken.
REFEREEING
GUIDELINES: A “referee” that is mutually agreed upon by both players, can be
called by any player to judge a potentially controversial shot before the shot
is taken. When called, the “referee” is in control of the game and makes the
final decision on the shot. He/she makes all decisions, and they are final,
unless the penalized player cites rules that substantiate a protest, in which
case the referee may reverse his/her decision.
SCHEDULING
All rescheduling of
games must be by mutual consent of the League Coordinator, both team captains
and the location. In an emergency, opposing captains may also delay or
reschedule their games by mutual consent. All make-up games must be arranged
with the League Coordinator and played no later than two weeks after the
originally scheduled match. When games are not played, the money to the league
must still be paid or it will be deducted from your winnings at end of the
season.
RULE DISPUTES/PROTESTS
Should there be a
question about a rule or a dispute concerning a shot during league play, the
players are encouraged to stop the game for clarification. The team captains
are to review the written rules in their packets and if possible, reach a
mutual agreement prior to resuming play. If necessary, the captains or the
involved players can call the League President or Vice-President for rule
clarification. A decision will be rendered at that
time, which may include having the game replayed.
Should the captains
still not be able to reach an agreement, a protest may be filed per the Protest
Procedure. NOTE: If a captain intends to protest, he/she should not sign the
score sheet. A captain's signature implies acceptance of the match's outcome.
PROTEST PROCEDURE: Authority to
protest rests with the captain. A protest must be in writing and be presented
to the President or League Coordinator within 24 hours after the match.
Protests shall include a $50.00 deposit. If the protest is not upheld, the
deposit will be forfeited.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS/GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE
Elections will be
held during the league meeting preceding the start of the season. The President
and Vice President will be elected from the players in the league. Their duty
is to render decisions on rules and protests, help run any league meeting, and
aid in the organization of the league. Decisions on protests, misconduct, or
removal of a player from the league are made by the Grievance Committee. The
Grievance Committee is comprised of the President, Vice President, League
Coordinator and the League Owner.
MEETINGS AND PAYBACK
League meetings
will be held at the President’s sponsoring bar. Only team captains will attend
league meetings, unless otherwise indicated. Paybacks will be held at the league winner’s bar. In the case of a tie in the
number of games won, a play-off match will be played the following Wednesday in
a neutral bar to determine
the location of the payoff.
TEAM MATCHES AND LINE-UPS
There will be 15
games played; 5 games per round; 3 rounds per match. The same 5 players must
play all 3 rounds. The player who is breaking is indicated on the score sheet.
HANDICAPS
Handicaps will start the 2nd
week of pool league.
The handicap is
determined by team position in the standings. The handicap is calculated by
subtracting the number of your team’s position from the position number of the
opposing team. This number is then multiplied by 2, which will give you the
handicap per round. The maximum amount of balls given
is fifteen (15) balls.
Examples:
The 2nd place team
plays the 1st place team 2 – 1 = 1 1x2=2 balls given per round
The 5th place team
plays the 1st place team 5 – 1 = 4 4x2=8 balls given per round
The 8th place team
plays the 2nd place team 8 – 2 = 6 6x2=12; 12 balls given per round
The 9th place team
plays the 2nd place team 9 – 2 = 7 7x2=14; 14 balls given per round
The 11th place team
plays the 2nd place team 11 – 2 = 9 9x2=18; only 15 balls are given
SCORING
Each player
receives 1 point for each of his groups of balls (stripes or solids) legally
pocketed, plus 3 points when the 8-ball is legally pocketed. A player is always
credited with 10 points when he wins a game. If the shooter pockets the 8-ball
before it is legal to do so, the opponent receives 10 points. The loser cannot
score more than 7 points. In case of a tie in points,
the team winning the most games wins the round.
RULES
OF PLAY
BALLS AND RACKING
The balls are
racked in a triangle at the foot of the table with the 8-ball in the center,
the first ball of the rack on the foot spot, a stripe ball in one corner of the
rack and a solid ball in the other corner.
THE BREAKER WILL
RACK THE BALLS PRIOR TO THE BREAK. (RACK YOUR OWN)
THE BREAK
1. The breaker must
drive four (4) or more balls to a cushion, or pocket one (1) or more object
balls, or the 8-ball. If the breaker fails to do so, the opponent has the
option of (1) accepting the table in position and shooting, or (2) re-racking
and shooting the break or having the original breaker rebreak.
2. Stopping or
deflecting the cue ball prior to hitting the rack is
considered to be a foul and loss of turn. The opponent will receive cue ball in hand behind the headstring.
3. When positioning
the cue ball for the break shot, the entire ball must be behind the headstring. If the cue ball is not positioned fully behind
the headstring, the opposing player must inform the
breaking player of the improper position of the cue ball before the shot is
made. If the breaker is not informed, the break is considered legal. If the
shooting player is informed of improper positioning, they must reposition the
cue ball.
4. If a player
scratches on the break: (1) all balls pocketed remain pocketed (exception, the
8-ball); (2) it is a foul and (3) the table is open. The incoming player has cue ball in hand behind the headstring
and may not shoot an object ball whose base is not outside the headstring, unless he first shoots the cue ball past the headstring and causes the cue ball to come back behind the headstring and hit the object ball. If a player positions
the cue ball completely and obviously outside the kitchen and shoots, it is a
foul, if called by the opponent.
5. If the breaker
makes a legal break and does not pocket a ball, his opponent then shoots,
having an open table.
6. NOTE: Making the
8-ball on the break, or making the 8-ball and scratching, or knocking the
8-ball off of the table during the break WILL NOT be a
loss, even if there is more than one break. When the 8-ball is pocketed on the
break, the breaker may opt for a re-rack or have the 8-ball spotted and
continue shooting. Should the breaker pocket the 8-ball and scratch or knock
the 8-ball off of the table during the break, the
incoming player has the option of spotting the 8-ball or re-racking and
assuming the break.
7. NOTE: If the
8-ball is made on the break, the breaker will pay to retrieve the 8-ball. If
the breaker refuses to do so, he/she will forfeit the game.
8. If a player
jumps an object ball off the table on the break shot, it is a foul and the
incoming player has the option of (1) accepting the table in position and
shooting, or (2) taking cue ball in hand behind the headstring
and shooting. Any balls jumped
off the table are spotted in numerical order.
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 a
called object ball after the break shot.
The table is open
when the choice of groups (stripes or solids) has not yet been determined. When
the table is open, it is legal to hit a solid first to make a stripe or
vice-versa. NOTE: The table is always open immediately after the break shot.
When the table is open, it is legal to hit any solid or stripe or the 8-Ball
first in the process of pocketing the called stripe or solid. (NOTE: This is
the only time the 8-Ball can be used as the first ball in a combination).
THE GAME
In Call Pocket,
obvious balls and pockets do not have to be indicated. It is the opponent’s
right to ask which ball and pocket is being attempted if they are unsure of the
shot. Banks and combinations are not considered obvious, and both the object
ball and the pocket must be called or it is a loss of
turn. When calling the shot, it is NEVER necessary to indicate details such as
the number of cushions, banks, kisses, caroms, etc.
THE PLAY
1. If a shooter
inadvertently pockets the opponent’s ball, it remains down,
however, if the shooter does not legally pocket one of his own group, he/she loses his turn.
2. The player
continues to shoot so long as they legally pocket an object ball. (Exception:
calling a safety). Should a player fail to pocket their designated ball, they shall
lose their turn.
3. If a player
fails to hit the 8-ball while shooting at it, it is a foul and the game
continues. When the 8-ball is the object ball, a scratch or foul is not a loss
of game if the 8-ball is not pocketed or jumped off the table. Incoming player has cue ball in hand.
4. In the event the
cue ball or an object ball stops on the edge of the
pocket, then falls into the pocket because of vibrations, fan
or stamping of feet, it shall be replaced on the edge of the pocket as near as
possible to its position before interference. Players split coins to retrieve
the ball.
5. The player who
pockets their entire group and legally pockets the 8-ball,
wins the game. BEFORE SHOOTING THE 8-BALL, THE SHOOTER MUST INDENTIFY THE
INTENDED POCKET.
6. STALEMATED GAME:
If in three consecutive turns at the table by each player (six turns total),
they purposefully foul or scratch and both players agree that attempting to
pocket or move an object ball will result in an immediate loss of game, the
game will be considered a stalemate. The balls will be re-racked with the
players splitting quarters and the breaker of the stalemated game will break
again. NOTE: Four consecutive fouls by a player is not a loss of game.
LOSS OF GAME
1. Pocketing the
8-ball when it is not the legal object ball except on an opening break.
2. Pocketing the
8-ball on the same stroke as the last of the group of balls.
3. Scratching while
pocketing the 8-ball is a loss of game.
4. Jumping or
knocking the 8-ball off of the table, except for on
the break. (See "THE BREAK' section, #6)
5. Pocketing the
8-ball in a pocket other than the one designated.
6. Fouling while
pocketing the 8-ball in the designated pocket.
7. Failure to
identify the intended pocket for the 8-ball.
8. If the 8 ball is
accidently pocketed with a player's hand or any part of the cue, it
is a loss of game.
LEGAL SHOTS
1. On all shots
(except on the break and when the table is open) the shooter must hit one of
their group of balls first and (1) pocket any group ball, or (2) cause the cue
ball or any other ball to contact a rail.
2. It is
permissible for the shooter to bank the cue ball off a rail before contacting
the object ball (kick shot); however, after contact with the object ball, any
group ball must be pocketed, OR the cue ball or any other ball must contact a
rail.
3. If the object
ball is "frozen" to a rail, the player must either drive the object
ball to another rail; hit a different ball, which in turn hits a rail; or drive
the cue ball to the rail after it touches the object ball. If the cue ball strikes
the rail first or hits both the rail and object ball simultaneously, then it
would be an illegal shot unless some ball went to a different rail.
4. “Safety” Shot:
For tactical reasons, a player may choose to pocket an obvious object ball and also discontinue his/her turn at the table by declaring
“safety” in advance. A safety shot is defined as a legal shot. If the shooting
player intends to play safe by pocketing an obvious object ball, then prior to
the shot, the shooter must declare a “safety” to the opponent or verbally
declare a pocket other than the one in which the shooter intends to shoot the
ball. If this is not done, and one of the shooter’s object balls is pocketed,
the shooter will be required to shoot again. Any ball pocketed on a safety shot
remains pocketed.
FOULS
NOTE: All fouls
must be called and acknowledged before the next shot is taken (exception:
scratching). Only the players involved may call the foul.
The following
results in a foul:
1. Failure to make
a legal shot as noted above.
2. Shooting the cue
ball into a pocket or off of the table.
3. It is a foul
when a player scratches on the break, or deflects the
cue ball prior to hitting the racked balls. The incoming player receives cue ball in hand behind the head string.
4. When placing the
cue ball in position, any forward stroke motion contacting the cue ball will be
a foul, if not a legal shot.
5. Shooting without
at least one foot touching the floor.
6. Coaching is a
foul and not allowed around the table. During a player’s turn, conversation
about the game is considered to be coaching.
Conversation is allowed away from the table when it is not the shooter’s turn.
It is considered to be your turn as soon as your
opponent has completed his turn.
7. Object ball frozen to Cushion or Cue Ball. This applies to any shot
where the cue ball’s first contact with a ball is with one that is frozen to a
cushion or to the cue ball itself. After the cue ball makes contact with the
frozen ball, the shot must result in either: a) A ball being pocketed, or; b)
The cue ball contacting a cushion, or; c) The frozen ball being caused to
contact a cushion attached to a separate rail, or; d) Another object ball being
caused to contact a cushion with which it was not already in contact
8. Accidentally
moving or touching any ball is not a foul unless: a) the moved ball is the cue
ball; b) a moved ball makes contact with the cue ball;
c) a moved ball that is jumped off the table or pocketed or causes any ball to
be jumped off the table or pocketed.
Note: If the 8-ball
is jumped off the table or pocketed (other than during the break), it is a loss
of game.
9. Only the opponent may replace the ball
moved as closely as possible or leave it where it
rests. If the shooter replaces the moved ball, it will be considered a foul.
10. If a player
accidentally moves a ball during a shot and it moves into the path of the cue
ball, it is a foul if those balls collide.
11. If a player
touches a ball other than the 8-ball, and it falls into a pocket, it is a
foul. The opponent has the choice of
leaving the ball down or replacing it on the table as closely as possible to
its original position.
12. If a player
intentionally touch a ball, it is a foul. Example:
resting your hand on a ball to stabilize your bridge.
13. Picking up or shooting
the cue ball while any balls are still in motion is a foul.
14. With cue ball in hand, touching any object ball with the cue ball
is a foul, or touching any object ball with your hand while touching the cue
ball is a foul.
15. Jumping object
balls off of the table is a foul. The object ball is
spotted.
16. After a scratch
on a legal break, if a player positions the cue ball completely and obviously
outside the kitchen and shoots, it is a foul.
17. If your
opponent commits a foul and you did not receive their acknowledgment of such
foul prior to touching the cue ball, you have committed a foul, except for
scratching.
18. Intentional
illegal jumping (scooping) is a foul.
19. Push shots are
fouls. A push shot foul is when the cue ball is pushed by the cue tip, with
contact being maintained for more than the momentary time involved in a stroked
shot. With a cue and object ball frozen, shooting the shot from any angle other
than at least 45 degrees above, or at least 45 degrees to the right or left of
center from the straight line of the frozen balls is a foul.
20. Double hits are
fouls. A double hit occurs when the cue ball is struck a second time by the cue
tip in the course of the same shot. If a ball is made during a double hit, the
ball remains pocketed.
BRIDGE
The use of a bridge
is allowed in league play. Illegal shots when using the bridge will be ruled
the same as if it were a player's hand.
BAD SPORTSMANSHIP
Bad sportsmanship
may be grounds for forfeiture of the game, the match, or expulsion from the
league. Physical violence WILL result in expulsion of the player(s), and/or the
team from the league, with a forfeiture of money paid. Bad sportsmanship should
be reported to the League President and/or the League Coordinator.
Bad sportsmanship
includes:
1) Foul or abusive
language; name calling;
2) Harassment from
players or spectators;
3) Abuse of
equipment or unethical conduct;
4) Intentionally changing
the position of the balls in play other than by a shot;
5) Intentional
attempts to distract the opponent either by talking to the opponent or placing
yourself in the opponents view while he/she is shooting;
6) Physical
intimidation or violence.