TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Objective Of The Game ...... 3
2. Definitions ...... 3
3. Handicap ...... 5
Table of Handicaps ...... 5
4. Scoring ...... 5
5. About The Rules ...... 5
6. The Rules ...... 6
Players Responsibility ...... 6
Equipment ...... 6
Table ...... 6
Balls ...... 6
Other ...... 6
Camera/Internet/Devices ...... 7
The Rack ...... 8
Determine Who Will Break First ...... 8
The Break ...... 8
Fair Break for Scoring ...... 9
Choosing Group Balls ...... 9
Open Table ...... 9
Continuing Play to score C points ...... 9
Continuing Play to score A/B points ...... 9
Scoring ...... 9
Touching Balls ...... 9
Playing from a Snooker ...... 10
Skill Shot ...... 10
Players Inning ...... 10
7. Standard Fouls ...... 10
1 | P a g e Agile Sports Shot Time ...... 10
No rack at start of inning ...... 10
Eating/Drinking During A Break ...... 10
8. Serious Fouls ...... 10
Throwing equipment ...... 10
Foul language ...... 11
Cue ball scratch ...... 11
Wrong ball first ...... 11
No rail after contact ...... 11
No foot on floor ...... 11
Ball driven off the table ...... 11
Touched ball ...... 11
Double hit / frozen Balls ...... 11
Push shot ...... 11
Balls still moving ...... 11
Slow play ...... 11
Cue ball placement ...... 12
Pocketing opponent's ball without playing fair shot on your own ball ...... 12
Pocketing black ball out of turn ...... 12
Jump Shot ...... Error! Bookmark not defined.
9. Dress Code ...... 12
10. Late Arrival/No Show to Matches ...... 12
11. Leagues And Competitions ...... Error! Bookmark not defined.
12. Load Shedding ...... 12
13. Network Failure ...... 12
14. Referee ...... 13
15. Document Control ...... 13
2 | P a g e Agile Sports 1. OBJECTIVE OF THE GAME
Zoom Pool is played with either 15 coloured/numbered 1 through 15 object balls and a cue ball. The player potting his own group of object balls and legally potting the 8-ball receives the A / B / C or X score depending if he potted a ball on the break. A player may miss once during a frame and if after the miss finish his own group of object balls and legally potting the 8-ball receives the C score.
2. DEFINITIONS
Definitions used in the rules or mentioned frequently during virtual sessions, the following definitions apply to virtual pool: 2nd Visit Call the referee made after the player missed a pot. Baulk: The area (20 or 25%) at the head of the table, marked by the baulk line or the imaginary line between the centre diamonds on 9ft table. Cannon: Full contact of two object balls. Clearance: Not potting a ball off the break (dry break) and finishing table without missing. Combination Shot: A shot where a player pots 2 or more balls in one shot. Also see skill shot. Cue Ball: The white ball is the ball struck by the player’s cue is often referred to as the cue ball. Cushions: See rails. Dry Break: A break from which no ball is potted, “come up dry”. Finish: Missing one shot after the break and clearing the table within the 2nd visit. Foot Spot: The foot spot is the spot at the foot end of the table. Handicap: A virtual pool handicap is a numerical measure of a player’s potential that is used to enable players of varying abilities and varying tables to compete against one another, example 3/1. Inning The players turn in the match. The Referee will call start of break for the player. In-Off: Is when the cue ball is unintentionally potted (resulting in a foul) after contact with the object ball. The cue ball has gone in – off another ball. Kiss: A kiss is like a cannon but more often used to reference a slight contact instead of a fuller contact. Kick Shot: When playing the cue ball off a rail first before hitting the intended object ball.
3 | P a g e Agile Sports Kick: Used to describe a bad contact between two balls, usually the cue ball and object ball when foreign matter (e.g. chalk debris) interferes at the point of contact. Jump Shot: Is when the player jumps the cue ball in the air over another object ball during a shot -not allowed in ZOOMPOOL Kick Shot: When playing the cue ball off a rail first before hitting the intended object ball. Kick: Used to describe a bad contact between two balls, usually the cue ball and object ball when foreign matter (e.g. Chalk debris) interferes at the point of contact. Kiss: A kiss is like a cannon but more often used to reference a slight contact instead of a fuller contact. Mapping: Used to describe the planning of the route when planning to finish the frame at that visit. Masse Shot: See swerve shot. Miscue: Is when the tip slides off the cue ball during contact, often resulting in a foul. Open Table: The term given to the opening stages of a frame before a player has selected a colour or set, i.e. A player can still opt for either reds or yellows. Plant: Means a shot made by playing one or more balls into each other in such a way that the last ball in sequence is potted. Rack: A rack refers to the initial formation of the Triangle of pool balls before the break. Rails: The areas between each pocket which essentially act as a barrier to keep the balls on the table. Also known as cushions. Rattled: A rattled ball is one which has failed to be potted because it has struck both jaws of the pocket. Run Out: Break and Run, Break Dish, Apple are some other terms used when a Player breaks off and completes a clearance without missing. Scratch A shot on which the cue ball is pocketed. Shot A shot begins when all balls on the table has stopped moving. Skill Shot: Playing a legal shot by contacting your object ball first and potting both your colour and the opposite colour in 1 shot. Snooker: Used in both Blackball and World Rules, the Total Snooker rule is used when a player is snookered, to alleviate them from having to hit a cushion after contact with their object ball. The player must enforce this rule before they play the shot by communicating the words “Snooker” to the referee. Swerve Shot: When a player curves the cue ball around an obstacle before hitting the intended object ball.
4 | P a g e Agile Sports 3. HANDICAP
A handicap is a numerical measure of a player’s potential that is used to enable players of varying abilities and playing on varying tables, to compete against one another. Better players are those with the lowest handicaps. Tablecloths are also taking into consideration.
Table of Handicaps
A Score (Run-Out) B Score (Clearance) C Score (Finish)
4 3 1
4 3 2
5 4 1
5 4 2
6 5 2
6 5 3
7 6 2
7 6 3
8 7 2
8 7 3
9 8 3
10 9 3
10 9 4
4. SCORING
A = Scoring a break and finish – Known as RUN-OUT B = Making a break without dropping an object ball – KNOWN as DRY BREAK and clear the frame. C = Missed once or the white scratch of the break. (If you scratch of the break you lost your one visit and will need to clear the table to score a C point) X = NO points
5. ABOUT THE RULES
The rules of ZOOMPOOL consist of a standard set of regulations and procedures by which the sport of Virtual Pool should be played and prescribe penalties for rule infractions.
5 | P a g e Agile Sports 6. THE RULES
Players Responsibility
It is the player’s responsibility to be aware of all rules, regulations and schedules applying to any competition. While tournament officials will make every reasonable effort to have such information readily available to all players as appropriate, the ultimate responsibility rests with the player. All players must be logged in at the given time as per match schedule. The match must start at the scheduled time, even if only one player is ready at the table. The Technical official may adjust timing due to circumstances.
Equipment
Table
Any 7ft or 9ft table. On the 7ft Pool table and on the 9ft Chinese table the foot spot and the baulk line should be marked. On the 9ft 9ball table the centre diamond/dot in baulk to be used. Imaginary line to be drawn. All size table should have a foot spot marked on the foot end of the table between the second diamonds on the long rail. It also lines up with the centre diamond on the short rail. This is the “racking end” of the table, where you “spot the ball”, and where you should line up the 8 Ball/black ball to be on foot spot when the player rack for break. Balls
The fifteen object balls include two groups of seven balls distinguished by the usual pattern of numbered solids and stripes. (One through seven and nine through fifteen are the two groups.) In addition, there is a black ball or a black eight ball. Other
• Cue Stick –
The player is permitted to switch between cue sticks during the match, such as break and normal cues. He may use either a built-in extender or an add-on extender to increase the length of the stick.
• Chalk –
The player may apply chalk to his tip to prevent miscues.
• Mechanical Bridges –
The player may use up to two mechanical bridges to support the cue stick during the shot. The configuration of the bridges is up to the player.
• Gloves –
The player may use gloves to improve the grip and/or bridge hand function.
6 | P a g e Agile Sports • Powder –
A player can use powder.
• Ball Rack Template –
After the break, the Ball Rack Template could be removed from the table as soon as possible without disturbing any of the balls. With the removal of the Ball Rack Template, the opponent may use markers in the form of ball markers at their disposal to mark the obstructing balls. The Ball Rack Template must be placed away from the playing area including the rails and the balls placed back into their original position.
• Ball Marker –
The player must use a ball marker to mark a ball position when the player needs to clean a ball or remove the rack template without moving object balls
• Break Mat –
The player can use a square mat for breaking purposes to minimize chalk residue on the table during a break Camera/Internet/Devices
Please ensure you have a stable internet connection and for players using mobile data ensure you have enough for your match. ±10Mbps Upload and Download Speed. The referee or Technical team must approve table view before match start. Your devices to be charged in advance so issues with waiting for a player to charge the device during matches. Proper view of table/quality of picture as per production requirements. Preference should be on the long side of the pool table for video setup. When not playing or speaking kindly mute device. During live commentating the player may lower his sound on the players device but should still be able to hear referee calls. For Table Links – visit www.agilesports.co.za Click on Table Links
Device Setup Illustration:
7 | P a g e Agile Sports
The Rack
7- and 9-Foot Table (Pool, 9-ball, or Chinese Table):
• The balls are racked as illustrated with the black ball on the foot spot.
Foot Spot
Determine Who Will Break First
The Technical Official would toss a coin.
The Break
The following rules apply to the break shot for players
• The break shot is a free shot (Ball in hand and may place anywhere if player play from a JOY Chinese 8ball Table) • The player should be ready to break after the Referee announces start break if a referee is present for the match. • If the cue ball is driven off the table, end of the frame and the opponent would play.
8 | P a g e Agile Sports Fair Break for Scoring
Cue Ball Scratch you only have 1 visit, white ball placed behind baulk line. C score (Finish) apply if you finish frame on the 2nd visit. Fair break for A score (Run-Out) if no foul committed and an object ball is potted of the break. Fair break for B score (Clearance) if no foul committed with no object ball potted of the break. The table is said to be “open” when the players’ groups have not been decided. The table is open after the break shot and remains open until the shooter pockets balls from only one group on a legal normal shot The player should be ready to break after the Referee announces start break if a referee is present for the match.
Choosing Group Balls
The table is said to be open when the players groups have not been selected. Directly after the break, the first ball the cue ball potted, will determine the group of balls.
Open Table
If two different colour ball or group of balls is sunk on the first shot after the break, the table is still open, and the player may still choose a colour or group of balls to continue play.
Continuing Play to score C points
The shooter remains at the table after missing one shot (1st visit), the shooter will continue if he continues to legally pocket balls and finish the table with next visit to score minimum points.
Continuing Play to score A/B points
The shooter remains at the table if he continues to legally pocket balls and finish the table with one visit.
Scoring
The player will pot each of his chosen group of balls (stripes or solids), ending his break with potting the 8 ball or black ball. The player will pot until he misses. Players will alternate virtual frames played to score completed frames. Most frames completed, will win the frame.
Touching Balls
If the cue ball is touching an object ball, the shooter must not play the cue ball in the direction of that ball. He is considered to have hit the touching ball when he shoots away from it if the ball is on for the shot. Player must call out Touching ball and must be acknowledge by the Referee or Opponent.
9 | P a g e Agile Sports Playing from a Snooker
When the shooter is snookered, no rail after contact is suspended for the shot. Player must call out Snooker and must be acknowledge by the Referee or Opponent
Skill Shot
A skill shot may be played. A skill shot is classified when a player plays a legal shot in contacting his group/colour balls first and potting both his and the other colour/group balls on the same shot.
Players Inning
Players will start his inning with a break and continue play until break score is called and the opponent will alternatively start his break or inning.
7. STANDARD FOULS
Shot Time
Player should not play more than 40 seconds per shot. On the second warning the referee would start using a shot clock. No warning on time. Hence loss of frame if player exceeds 40 seconds for the 3rd time in a league match.
No rack at start of inning
A player must rack the balls right after completing the frame, to be ready to play the next frame and avoid time wasting. Player not ready to break within 30 seconds from opponent finishing frame will receive a warning and be deducted 2 match points, second offense 4 match points deducted, third offense loss of frame.
Eating/Drinking During A Break
No eating/drinking while playing your frame.
8. SERIOUS FOULS
If the shooter commits a foul, its loss of frame. The following are standard fouls in Virtual Pool: No show at a match could lead to suspension.
Throwing equipment
Throwing any equipment during or after an inning while still in a match. Penalty -2 Points
10 | P a g e Agile Sports Foul language
Using any foul language during a match. Penalty -2 Points
Cue ball scratch
In Off; or off the table (except for on the break) If the cue ball is pocketed or driven off the table.
Wrong ball first
If it is required to strike a particular ball first or one of a group of ball and another is contacted first.
No rail after contact
If no ball is pocketed on a shot, the object ball or cue ball must be driven to a rail.
No foot on floor
The players must have at least one foot touching the floor during a shot.
Ball driven off the table
Object ball is driven off the table.
Touched ball
Any contact with a ball other than a cue to ball or ball to ball contact, except when the ball is “in hand” or the player has requested to clean the ball or temporarily move the ball with the help of a ball marker while removing the rack template.
Double hit / frozen Balls
The cue touched the cue ball more than once or the cue tip is still touching the cue ball when the cue ball contacts the object ball.
Push shot
The cue, cue ball and object ball move in the same direction at the same speed.
Balls still moving
Player starts playing while ball(s) are still moving or spinning on the table.
Slow play
Player spends more than the allotted time per shot. Penalty as per Point 7 (Shot Time)
11 | P a g e Agile Sports Cue ball placement
Placing the “in hand” ball anywhere on the table when the requirement is to place the “in hand” ball behind baulk
Pocketing opponent’s ball without playing fair shot on your own ball
If an object ball, not of the chosen group of the player is pocketed.
Pocketing black ball out of turn
Player pockets the black ball while there is still object ball of his chosen group on the table. Except for the BONUS BREAK
9. DRESS CODE
Please note your attire must be presentable, league shirts available on the online shop www.agilesports.co.za
10. LATE ARRIVAL/NO SHOW TO MATCHES
If your opponent is a no show/late as per rules during Tournament – 5min Rule We have different formats: Round Robin, Knockouts etc, as determined by organisers. Matches can have time limit, depending on organisers. Ranking order for standings during leagues or group stages of tournament; Log Points, Runouts (Break and Finishes), Frame score (Points Difference), Head to Head Agile Sports holds the right to make decisions on matters as they arise if not mentioned in the above rules during the league/competition as it sees fit. Players shall log in to the scheduled match table at least 10-minutes before the starting time of the match. Players shall share all competition promotion on social media, the player participates in.
11. LOAD SHEDDING
Player would require making alternative plan to play match.
12. NETWORK FAILURE
In the case where network availabilities hamper the player’s ability to play his/her scheduled match the player will need to within 5 minutes re-join the feed, or it will be loss of frame.
12 | P a g e Agile Sports 13. REFEREE
The referee will announce fouls and other specific situations as required by the rules. When asked for a clarification of a rule, the referee will explain the applicable rule to the best of his ability, but any misstatement by the referee will not protect a player from enforcement of the actual rules. If a Referee is not present the Technical person or Host of the table should make any referee calls
14. PRIZES
All Cash awards would be paid into South African account. International players would pay for bank charges. Physical awards to be collected from United Pool Tables. With-in 30 Days from event.
15. DOCUMENT CONTROL
Rev Page Details 00 New document 01 Format 02 Changed to Agile Page 03 Change shot timing point 7, and dress code point 9 04 Point 3 Handicap Structure Point 4 Scoring definition Determine the break The Cue Ball Driven off the table Break BONUS break 05 revised Handbook Revised for Season 3
13 | P a g e Agile Sports