PUEBLO POOL ASSOCIATION
Nine-Ball Rules 

N 1 OBJECT OF THE GAME

Nine-Ball is played with nine object balls numbered one through nine and a cue ball. On each shot, the first ball the cue ball contacts must be the lowest numbered ball on the table, but the balls need not be pocketed in order. If a player pockets any ball on a legal shot, he remains at the table for another shot, and continues until missing, committing a foul, or winning the game by pocketing the 9-ball. After a miss, the incoming player must shoot from the position left by the previous player, but after any foul the incoming player may start with the cue ball anywhere on the table. Players are not required to call any shot. A match ends when one of the players has won the required number of games.

N 2 RACKING THE BALLS 

The object balls are racked in a diamond shape, with the 1-ball at the top of the diamond and on the foot spot, the 9-ball in the center of the diamond, and the other balls in random order, racked as tightly as possible. The game begins with cue ball in hand behind the head string. 

N 3 ORDER OF THE BREAK 

PPA nine ball has a predetermined breaking order that is marked with a (B) for that round.

N 4 LEGAL BREAK SHOT 

The rules governing the break shot are the same as for other shots except:

1. The breaker must strike the1-ball first and either pocket a ball or drive at least four numbered balls to the rail.  
2. If the cue ball is pocketed or driven off the table, or the requirements of the opening break are not met, it is a foul, and the incoming player has the break.  
3. If on the break shot, the breaker causes an object ball to jump off the table, it is a foul and the incoming player has cue ball in hand anywhere on the table. The object ball is not respotted and ponts are awasrd to the opponent (exception: if the object ball is the 9-ball, it is respotted).
4. If the cue ball is pocketed on the break and no balls are hit. The break is is forfieted to the opponent.
5. If the cue ball is miscued duing the break it's not a foul unless the player grabs, deflects the ball or scratches

N 5 CONTINUING PLAY 

On the shot immediately following a legal break, the shooter may play a "push out.". If the breaker pockets one or more balls on a legal break, he continues to shoot until he misses, fouls, or wins the game. If the player misses or fouls, the other player begins an inning and shoots until missing, committing a foul, or winning. The game ends when the 9-ball is pocketed on a legal shot, or the game is forfeited for a serious infraction of the rules.

N 6 PUSH OUT 

The player who shoots the shot immediately after a legal break may play a push out in an attempt to move the cue ball into a better position for the option that follows. On a push out, the cue ball is not required to contact any object ball nor any rail, but all other foul rules still apply. The player must announce the intention of playing a push out before the shot, or the shot is considered to be a normal shot. Any ball pocketed on a push out does not count and remains pocketed except the 9-ball. Following a legal push out, the incoming player is permitted to shoot from that position or to pass the shot back to the player who pushed out. A push out is not considered to be a foul as long as no rule (except Rule 5.7 and Rule 5.8) is violated. An illegal push out is penalized according to the type of foul committed. After a player scratches on the break shot, the incoming player cannot play a push out. 

N 6.5 SCORING 

PPA nine ball scoring; every ball is worth 1 point and the nine ball is worth 2 points for a total of 10 points per game. If you pocket a ball after exacting a legal hit then scratching the point will then go towards your opponent. If a player legally hits the lowest number ball on the table and then makes the 9-ball the player has the choice to take the score as the game lies, all remaining ball points on the table will then go to the opponent or spot the nine ball and continue to shoot.

N 6.6  NINE BALL BREAK 

Nine ball break will be scored 10 - 0, nine ball break and scratch will be a spotted nine ball and ball in hand anywhere on the table for the opponent. Any other ball(s) made on the break will reamin down and points will be awarded for the opponent. 

N 7 FOULS 

When a player commits a foul, he must relinquish his run at the table and no balls pocketed on the foul shot are respotted (exception: if a pocketed ball is the 9-ball, it is respotted). The incoming player is awarded ball in hand; prior to his first shot he may place the cue ball anywhere on the table. If a player commits several fouls on one shot, they are counted as only one foul. 

N 8 BAD HIT 

If the first object ball contacted by the cue ball is not the lowest numbered ball on the table, the shot is foul. 

N 9 NO RAIL 

If no object ball is pocketed, failure to drive the cue ball or any numbered ball to a rail after the cue ball contacts the object ball on is a foul. 

N 10 BALL IN HAND 

When the cue ball is in hand, the player may place the cue ball anywhere on the bed of the table, except in contact with an object ball. The player may continue to adjust the position of the cue ball until shooting. 

N 11 OBJECT BALLS JUMPED OFF THE TABLE 

An unpocketed ball is considered to be driven off the table if it comes to rest other than on the bed of the table. It is a foul to drive an object ball off the table. The jumped object ball(s) is not respotted (exception: if the object ball is the 9-ball, it is respotted) and play continues. The opponent will be awarded the point(s) for that ball and will receive ball in hand. 

N 12 JUMPS AND MASSE SHOT FOUL 

If a match is not refereed, it will be considered a cue ball foul if during an attempt to jump, curve or masse the cue ball over or around an impeding numbered ball, the impeding ball moves (regardless of whether it was moved by a hand, cue stick follow-through or bridge).

N 13 THREE CONSECUTIVE FOULS 

If a player fouls three consecutive times on three successive shots without making an intervening legal shot, the game is lost. The three fouls must occur in one game. The warning must be given between the second and third fouls. A player's inning begins when it is legal to take a shot and ends at the end of a shot on which he misses, fouls or wins, or when he fouls between shots. 

N 14 END OF GAME 

On the opening break, the game is considered to have commenced once the cue tip has struck the cue ball. The 1-ball must be legally contacted on the break shot. The game ends at the end of a legal shot which pockets the 9-ball (see rule N 6.5 for early nine ball), or when a player forfeits the game as the result of a foul. 

N 14.5 FULL TEAM FORFEIT OR PLAYER FORFEIT 

A full team forfeit will be scored 270-0. a single game forfeit will be scored 10-0. 

N 15 TOURNAMENTS & AWARDS
Each player must play at least 12 matches or 36 games in a 15-week session to qualify for playoffs & tournaments no exceptions. Individual awards: in order to qualify a player must play at least 25 matches or 75 games in order qualify. 

N 16 DROP BOX
Drop off box location(s) will be on your prize fund envelope. Packets must be dropped off the next day after the match is played by 6:00 pm.  Each team is responsible for their own packet (see rule E42) 

N17 MEMBERSHIP FEES/SPONSOR OR HOST FEE 

The PPA membership fee is $3 per team per week. Any team not paying their membership fee on or before their first match will result in a full team forfeit. (See rule E-34). There is also a host/sponsor, sanction fee of $75 per team. The establishment is not required to pay the sanction fee. Most establishments take care of this or part of, but if they refuse to pay the sanction fee it will then be the teams? responsibility to pay this. This fee is collected on the 8th week of play for existing teams.  All new teams may be required to put the $30 deposit before they are put on the schedule. This deposit will be used for the 1^st week of play. Please ask before signing up a team. 

1        No Packet or Late drop off (-5), When packet is turned in your team will be given back 2 points if all dues are collected and 1 more point for completed scoresheet

1        No Packet or Late drop off (-5), When packet is turned in your team will be given back 2 points if all dues are collected and 1 more point for completed scoresheet

1        No Packet or Late drop off (-5), When packet is turned in your team will be given back 2 points if all dues are collected and 1 more point for completed scoresheet

All rules are effective for sessions starting after Feb, 15, 2010. Please contact your league administrator with any questions.