League &
Blackball rules

Blackball is played in a sporting manner. The referee is the sole judge of fair play and application of the rules.

• The table uses a cue ball, seven balls in each of two groups, and a black ball.
• A player wins by legally clearing their designated group and then legally potting the black.
• Cues, extensions, chalk, gloves, powder and mechanical rests may be used.

The opening break is decided by a lag, with breaks alternating in subsequent frames.

• Rack fifteen object balls with the black on its spot in the prescribed Blackball formation.
• A break is legal if a ball is potted or at least two object balls fully cross the imaginary line between the centre pockets.
• After an illegal break, the opponent receives a free shot plus one visit and may play from where the cue ball lies, play from baulk, or request a re-rack.
• If the black is potted on the break, re-rack and allow the same player to break again without penalty.
• When playing from baulk, the centre of the cue ball must be on or behind the baulk line and the ball may be played in any direction.

The table remains open after the break until a group is legally established.

• Groups are not decided by balls potted on the break, during a foul, during a free shot, or where both groups are potted in a combination shot.
• On an open table, legally potting one or more balls from a single group assigns that group to the player for the remainder of the frame.
• Balls potted during a foul do not decide groups. The incoming player has an open table and a free shot.
• A player continues at the table after legally potting an on ball, until failing to pot or committing a foul.

Initial contact must be with an on ball, followed by either a pot or contact with a cushion.

• After first contacting an on ball, an on ball must be potted or the cue ball or any object ball must contact a cushion.
• When escaping a confirmed snooker, it is sufficient to contact an on ball; no pot or cushion contact is then required.
• Combination shots are legal when the first ball contacted is on. A player may pot balls from both groups in the same shot.
• A player's last group ball and the black may be potted in the same legal combination shot to win.
• Play away from touching balls. If the touching ball is on, it counts as having been contacted, but the remaining requirements of a legal shot still apply.
• If an on ball is declared frozen to a cushion, the shot must result in a pot or a qualifying cushion contact by the cue ball or an object ball.
• Where no legal shot is possible, the frame is a stalemate and is re-racked under the applicable restart procedure.

A standard foul ends the player's visit and gives the opponent a free shot plus one visit.

• Potting the cue ball, playing from outside baulk when obliged to play from baulk, or potting only an opponent's ball.
• Failing to make a legal shot, playing a jump shot, playing a push stroke, or making a double hit.
• Playing before balls have stopped, before balls have been re-spotted, or out of turn.
• Playing without at least one foot on the floor, except where disability or special needs apply.
• Touching a ball with the body, clothing, jewellery, accessories or any part of the cue other than the tip during a legal stroke.
• Causing a ball to leave the playing surface without returning by its own means. The cue ball returns to baulk; object balls are re-spotted.

Following a foul, the incoming player may play the cue ball from where it lies or reposition it in baulk.

• The first shot is a free shot and the table is temporarily open without nomination.
• Any ball, including an opponent's ball or the black, may be contacted first without penalty.
• Opponent balls may be potted, and combinations may be used to pot balls from either group.
• The black may not itself be potted unless it is the player's on ball, including where it is legally potted in a combination.
• Moving the cue ball into position within baulk does not count as a shot or visit.

Some serious or deliberate infringements result in the frame being awarded immediately to the opponent.

• Committing a foul on the shot in which the black is potted.
• Potting the black while balls from the player's own group remain on the table, unless completed in a legal combination.
• Clearly and intentionally playing a ball that is not on, or deliberately failing to attempt a legal shot.
• Deliberately touching or picking up a ball without permission, including retrieving the cue ball from a pocket.
• Catching or preventing a ball from entering a pocket, or deliberately disrupting an opponent's play by word or action.

Players are responsible for knowing the rules and behaving in the spirit of the game.

• Where timed play applies, a shot must be played within 60 seconds; a 30-second warning is called at the halfway point.
• Foul language, throwing or dismantling a cue in apparent concession, arguing, persistent disagreement and obstructing an opponent may be treated as unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Coaching is not permitted. In doubles, conversation with a partner or others once a player approaches the table is unsportsmanlike.
• A referee may explain a rule but cannot give advice or a subjective opinion about the shot.
• Without a referee, stop play and summon an official before the next shot if a dispute arises. Continuing play may remove the right to protest.