Malone's Pool Tournament

Tournament Format

• The tournament is double elimination.
• Each player begins in the winners bracket.
• A player who loses one match moves to the losers bracket.
• A player is eliminated after their second match loss.
• Each match is Best of 3 games.
• Game format is 8-ball.
• Bracket matchups and advancement are based on match wins and losses.

Scoring

• Match results should be reported as 2-0 or 2-1.
• The player who wins 2 games wins the match.
• A match win advances the player in the bracket.
• A match loss counts as one tournament loss.
• A player is out of the tournament after 2 match losses.

Object of the Game

• 8-ball is played with a cue ball and 15 object balls.
• The purpose of the game is for one player or team to pocket either the solid balls numbered 1 to 7 or the striped balls numbered 9 to 15, then mark and pocket the 8-ball before the opponent.
• Choice of balls is made by the player legally pocketing the first ball of the game.

Lag

• The lag is used to start each match.
• Players simultaneously shoot a ball from the kitchen, banking it off the foot rail and back to the head of the table.
• Striking the side rails or any pocket results in loss of the lag.
• The closest ball to the head rail wins.
• It is permissible to strike the head rail.
• If the lagged balls make contact during the lag, the lag should be attempted again.
• The winner of the lag chooses whether to break the first game.
• Breaks alternate after the first game.

The Rack

• Balls are racked with a solid and stripe on opposite ends at the bottom of the rack.
• The front ball is placed on the foot spot.
• The 8-ball is placed in the center.
• All balls should be frozen as tightly as possible.

Breaking

• To be a legal break, players must break from inside the kitchen.
• The head ball or second ball must be struck first.
• At least four object balls must be driven to rails or a ball must be pocketed.
• The cue ball may not be shot into a rail before the break.
• If the break is not legal and no balls were pocketed, the balls are reracked and broken by the same player.
• If the break is not legal and balls were pocketed, play continues from the table as it lies and the incoming player takes the next shot.
• If the break is not legal and results in a scratch, the incoming player gets ball-in-hand behind the kitchen.

After the Break

• If no balls are pocketed, it is the other player's turn.
• If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break, the game is reracked and replayed because the table is coin operated.
• If one ball is pocketed, it is still the breaker's turn, but the table remains open until a designated ball and pocket is declared and made.
• If that next shot is not successful, the table remains open.
• The 8-ball is neutral when the table is open and may be used in a combination shot.
• The 8-ball is no longer neutral after a player or team has pocketed an object ball after the break.
• If one or more of each category is pocketed on the break, the breaker has choice of balls and may shoot any ball except the 8-ball.

Combination Shots

• Combination shots are legal.
• The player must call the correct ball and pocket.
• The player must strike their own group ball first.
• The 8-ball is not neutral after the table is no longer open.

Balls on the Floor

• If the 8-ball is knocked on the floor, it is loss of game.
• An object ball knocked on the floor results in a foul.
• Because the table is coin operated, object balls are not spotted unless they are immediately available without opening the table.

Safety Shot

• If a safety is called before a legal shot, a player may legally pocket the ball and forfeit the next shot.

Pocketed Balls

• Balls must remain in a pocket to be legal.
• All pocketed balls remain in the pocket for the rest of the game.
• Do not open the coin-operated table during a game to retrieve or spot balls.

Coin-Operated Table Rules

• Rules that normally require spotting a pocketed ball are adjusted because the table is coin operated.
• If a pocketed ball cannot be retrieved without opening the table, it stays down.
• If the 8-ball is pocketed early, out of turn, or on an illegal shot, it is loss of game unless these rules specifically say to rerack and replay.
• If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break, rerack and replay the game.
• Players should agree on any coin-table situation before the next shot is taken.

Fouls & Ball-in-Hand

For this tournament, the penalty for a foul is ball-in-hand for the incoming player. Ball-in-hand means the cue ball may be placed anywhere on the table, except a scratch on the break which results in ball-in-hand behind the kitchen.

• The cue ball goes in a pocket or leaves the playing surface.
• Failure to hit the correct group ball first.
• Jumping the cue ball over another ball by purposely miscuing it up in the air.
• Jump shots must be made with an elevated cue striking the top half of the cue ball.
• During a shot, the cue ball does not touch anything.
• A slop shot ends the shooter's turn; the incoming player plays the cue ball from its current location unless another foul occurred.
• Slop means a pocketed ball that does not go into the obvious pocket as determined by the shooter's shot selection.
• After addressing the cue ball, a player may make further adjustments with the hand, cue stick, or any other piece of equipment.

Ways to Lose

• Your opponent pockets their numerical group and legally pockets the 8-ball.
• You pocket the 8-ball out of turn or knock it on the floor.
• You pocket the 8-ball in the wrong pocket or fail to properly indicate the pocket.
• You foul the cue ball and then pocket the 8-ball.
• You scratch while playing the 8-ball.

How to Win

• A player or team wins the game when all balls of their numerical group have been pocketed and the 8-ball has been legally pocketed in a properly called pocket without scratching.
• Matches are Best 2 out of 3 games.

Doubles Play

• After a successful lag, Team A selects a player to break and continue until that turn has ended.
• Team B selects a player to take the next turn and continues until that turn has ended.
• Team A's second player then takes a turn, followed by Team B's second player.
• The rotation begins again with Team A's first player.

Reporting Scores

• The winner is responsible for reporting the final score to the bartender or organizer.
• Scores should be reported as: Player A defeats Player B, 2-0.
• Scores should be reported as: Player A defeats Player B, 2-1.
• Match results determine bracket advancement.

Forfeits

• Players are expected to make a reasonable effort to complete assigned matches.
• If a player fails to complete a match without reasonable communication, that player may receive a 2-0 forfeit loss.
• A forfeit loss counts as a tournament loss.

League Spirit

• This tournament is meant to be competitive, social, and fun.
• Respect the game, respect your opponent, and respect the bar.
• Play fast. Report scores. Have fun.