Wellington & District Pool League
Summer 2026
Wellington & District Pool League
CONSTITUTION - SEPTEMBER 2013
The league shall be known as the 'Wellington & District Pool League'.
Eligible voters at the AGM will be: the committee, any players from the summer season or Captain/Representative of any team entered for the forthcoming season.
The Annual General Meeting shall be held no later than second Thursday of September of each year. At this meeting the following business shall be transacted.
The elected committee shall have the power to apply, act upon and enforce the rules of the league and shall have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the league, including any not provided for by the rules.
An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called by the committee or by the secretary receiving a request signed by seven or more current League team Captains. At least 21 days notice shall be given of all meetings under this rule, together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such meetings.
Captains meetings shall be held a minimum of once per annum and will be called by the committee or if requested by seven or more captains.
Committee meetings shall be held as and when required.
Non-attendance at Captains meetings will be finable, Captains or team representatives accepted.
A team moving venues must take 4 or more registered players to retain their status within the league.
The closing date for entries into the Winter League will be the date of the AGM. No entries will be accepted after this date regardless of the captains or teams former status within the league. The commencement of the new season shall be no later than the second week of September.
In compliance with the LVA ruling, no one under the age of 18 shall be allowed to play in a LVA public house without express permission of the landlord/landlady. Visiting teams shall request permission from the opposition's landlord/landlady at least 24 hours in advance of a match before allowing anyone under the age of 18 to play at an away venue. The responsibility for policing this age policy lies with the team captain and not the Wellington & District Pool League, its committee or the Landlord.
The Wellington & District Pool League shall be within the following area: from Wellington by-pass to the Catherine Wheel, Hemyock, back to the Blue Ball, Sampford Moor, Prince of Wales Inn, A38 to Ayshford Arms, back to the A38 into Holywell Lake, over Langford Common, to Wiveliscombe, to The Rock Inn at Waterrow, back to Wiveliscombe then to Silk Mills via Halse, Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren, back along A38 to starting point.
No one team member can collect more than one others players trophies for their non-attending team members. Uncollected trophies will be re-cycled and re-used for future seasons.
Wellington & District Pool League
MATCH RULES - SEPTEMBER 2024
To enable a team to qualify for League membership, the team must be able to provide a home pool table with minimum playing surface of 6' x 3', which must be available for use when required for home games.
Game rules will be those laid down by the E.P.A., which are in affect from the start of the season.
A team must consist of a minimum of 5 registered players and a maximum of 12.
A league game will consist of two qualified league teams:
The order of play is that of the official score card, i.e. 3 sets of 5 singles games. Each section should be completed before commencing the next. This order may only be altered at the consent of BOTH captains. Also see rule 4c & 6.
The home team will fill out the score card first on the night of the league fixture. (Competitions see rule 20)
The WINNING team must post a picture of the score card on the League's Facebook page, no later than 12.00 noon Saturday following the fixture. Failure to do so will result in the deduction of 3 points from existing accumulated score. Responsibility for the scorecard always remains with the WINNING team.
All fixtures will be played on the date stated, at the venue stated on the fixtures list, unless by agreement of both team captains and notification to and agreement of the fixtures secretary.
All players must be registered. Points won by non-registered players will be awarded to the opposition. Up to 2 players may register on the back of the scorecard on the night of the fixture, until 4 weeks from the end of the league matches. After this time no new players may be registered and registered players who have not played a league game up to this point will not be allowed to play league games or subsequent team competition matches for the remainder of the season. Teams with 12 registered players cannot sign on any more players without first deleting an existing registered player from the team list. Deleted players who have played a match game for a team are not allowed to re-register or transfer to another team during that season.
No transfer of players is allowed during the playing season, unless at the committee's discretion. The playing season shall run from pre-season captains meeting to completion of the end of season competitions.
Match referees may be appointed with the consent of both captains.
If a team changes team name, captain or venue between one season and the next, it will be considered the same team as far as league status is concerned if 4 or more players from the previous season are signed for the new team for the new season. League status is defined as a team which qualified for promotion or qualified by league table position at the end of the previous season for first or premier divisions. Only genuinely new teams will be entered as a new team in the lower division, except where the new team is known to have a high standard of players (ie. County players) and may be placed in the higher divisions (also see rule 23).
A team expelled, withdrawing or failing to complete fixtures will be deleted from the division and all points previously awarded to opposing teams will be subtracted. The team may also be refused entry to the league in the future.
Players not fulfilling their singles and doubles knockout commitments without notice may have their entries refused in future competitions.
Any appeals in connection with any penalties or fines should be made in writing to the League Secretary, together with a £5.00 deposit which may be forfeited as the committee sees fit. All appeals will be dealt with at the next captains' meeting or AGM whichever is sooner.
In all non-team competitions, a lag at the start of the frame will determine who breaks. During non-team competitions, every frame thereafter will alternate. There will be no need to toss a coin or lag again, even if the score is drawn at any point in the game set. An 8 Ball break during any competitions does not qualify for reward.
No discussion between Doubles/Scotch Partners is permitted during competition frames, once the first ball has been struck at the start of their visit (the moment the Cue Ball is struck) and continues until they are no longer ON and their visit ends. Failure to comply results in a standard foul. Discussion, Consulting or Conferring includes other non-verbal communication.
All players should play their shot within a reasonable time frame, 90 seconds is considered reasonable. If the shot has not been played within this reasonable time frame, the opposing player (or appointed referee) should verbally remind the player of this, who will then have a maximum of 30 seconds after this reminder to play the shot. If the player fails to play the shot within the 30 seconds then they will forfeit their turn and will have committed a standard foul.
The Home Team will be decided on the toss of a coin, the winner choosing home or away. For the first 10 frames, the home team will initially enter just ONE name. The away team will immediately enter TWO names on their side. Each side will then alternate, entering TWO names at a time when required. On the last set of 5 games the home captain must complete all five entries at the start of that set. The away captain must also complete the last 5 entries, before the last game set commences. Each frame break will be decided by a lag.
The Home Team has the choice of whether to use Pro-Cup Balls or not if they are available.
An 8 Ball Break is only achievable from a break. That is any break however come by, whether by winning the toss of coin or winning the lag, and electing to break or by way of re-rack after a foul break. A white ball off the table from a break does not qualify.
The League will endeavour to split the divisions evenly to ensure equal number of byes if required.
Abusive behaviour, whether verbal or physical, will not be tolerated at any League match or competition, and may if reported result in the committee deciding the penalty up to and including suspension or expulsion from the League.
If the committee considers that any of the rules herein have been misused or abused then they will take it upon themselves to take whatever action they consider necessary. In all cases the Committee's decision is final and binding.
International Eightball Pool Rules
Version 2c, May 2023
As endorsed by the IEPF and Ultimate Pool, and accepted by the EPA.
The game shall be known as 'International eightball pool' with rules that must be played in a sporting manner at all times.
All equipment that is generally accepted throughout the industry is permitted. No other equipment is allowed unless ratified by the Tournament Director. However, using any equipment in a non-customary manner is never allowed and constitutes a foul. International eight-ball pool is played on a six-pocket rectangular table with six cushions. Equipment permitted: - (a) A spotted white called a cue ball - (b) Two groups of object balls consisting of seven reds and seven yellows - (c) A striped eight-ball - (d) Spider, rest, gooseneck rest, cross rest - (e) Prescribed cues The playing surface is the flat part of the table bordered by the cushions. The surface must be marked with an eight-ball spot at the intersection of two imaginary diagonal lines joining the centre and corner pockets. The surface must be marked with a 'rack line'. The rack line must be a 280mm vertical line going down through the eight-ball spot towards the top cushion (See Rule 5 for an illustration of the rack line). On the rack line must be two marker points, one for the head ball and the other for the black ball. The cloth is marked with a break line parallel to the bottom cushion 1/5th of the length of the table away from the baulk cushion.
International eight-ball pool is played with a spotted cue ball and fifteen object balls, seven red, seven yellow and a striped eight-ball. One player must pocket all balls of one group, while the other player must pocket the alternate coloured balls. The player who pockets their entire group and THEN legally pockets the eight-ball wins the game. The eight-ball must be potted in a separate shot.
(4a) A "Lag for Break" shall determine who breaks first with an alternating break format taking place thereafter. The winner of the lag is the player whose ball is closest to the baulk cushion. The winner of the lag is given the choice to break or not. (4b) Lagging Procedure: (guidance, what should happen) - (1) Balls shall be of equal size and weight - (2) To start the lag the referee will count the players in by counting back from 3 to 1. - (3) The players shall simultaneously strike balls on the referee's indication towards the top cushion. (4c) It is an automatic loss of lag if a ball: - (1) Crosses into the opponent's half of the playing surface OR - (2) Fails to contact the top cushion OR - (3) Drops into a pocket OR - (4) Hits a side cushion OR - (5) Jumps off the table OR - (6) Comes to rest on the playing surface within the area of the corner pocket OR - (7) Player commits any standard foul (4d) Players will lag again if: - (1) Both players foul OR - (2) The referee is unable to decide on which ball is closest to the bottom cushion OR - (3) One player's ball strikes the top cushion before the other player's ball is hit. (4e) To commence a frame, the player who is breaking, shall position the cue ball anywhere in baulk but MUST NOT position the cue ball over the break line by more than 50% of its diameter. (4f) The Break will be deemed a 'Legal Break' if the player breaking, obtains a minimum of three cumulative points. - 1 point for each object ball potted (eight-ball included, so thus does count). - 1 point for each object ball that has passed an imaginary line between the two centre pockets, that is not potted. A ball is deemed as having 'passed' the centre line if the whole ball is over the imaginary line. (4g) Failure to perform a legal break MUST result in a re-rack. The opponent has the option to break or to choose to give the break back to the original breaker. (4h) Groups are not decided on the break. The table remains open after the break. If the player in control of the table does not make a legal pot, the table is still deemed open for the incoming player. (4i) If the eight-ball is potted off the break, it is always re-spotted after all balls have come to rest on the table. To re-spot the eight-ball, the centre point of the eight-ball is placed on the eight-ball spot or if this is not available as near as possible to the spot in a direct line between the spot and the centre of the top cushion. If there is no space available on this line, place the eight-ball as near as possible to its spot in a direct line between the spot and the bottom cushion. If the eight-ball is the 'only ball potted on a legal break' then control of the table goes to the incoming player. If it's potted with other groups and the criteria of a legal break has been fulfilled, the breaker continues. (4j) If the cue ball, on a legal break: - (1) Goes "in-off", a loss of turn occurs and the incoming player is awarded one visit with cue ball in hand, to be played from baulk, in any direction. - (2) Leaves the playing surface, a standard foul will be called against the breaker, with the incoming player receiving one visit, played from anywhere on the playing surface. (See Rule 6l (1))
Arrange as shown with the eight-ball on the eight-ball spot. Top apex ball on the head marker of the rack line.
(See the diagram below for an illustration of where the balls are racked in relation to the rack line).
(1) Groups are decided on the first ball legally potted. The referee will call the first group in play.
(2) The table is considered an "open" table when the choice of groups (red or yellow) has not yet been determined. The table is always open immediately after the break shot. Balls potted from the break are disregarded. The player's designated group (red or yellow) will not be determined until a player legally pockets an object ball. Once groups are determined, object balls from a player's group are referred to as 'on' ball(s).
(3) Failure to make a legal pot will result in the table remaining open.
(4) If one of each group is potted in one shot, the player will be 'on' the group struck by the cue ball first unless a foul has occurred, in which case the table remains open.
(5) Where the choice of group is not obvious. (e.g. player cues up to a group of object balls OR object balls of both groups sitting close to each other OR player is snookered behind the eight-ball OR the lay of the table is such no object ball is a clear target).
(6) Groups are not decided on a foul shot.
(7) In the event of a touching ball, you MUST indicate to the referee and/or opponent the intended group. See Rule 6o (2).
In the course of play, if a legal shot is played and the balls(s) from the player's own group are potted, play continues and the player is entitled to an additional shot. The player will lose their turn and return control of the table to the opponent if they:
Object balls from both groups can be potted without penalty in a single 'combination' shot. Combination shots do not have to be called. The potted balls may drop into the pockets in any order but 'on' ball must be struck legally first. Attempting to complete a combination shot that results in only potting ball not 'on' is LOSS OF TURN.
As long as the player strikes an 'on' ball first, should an opponent's ball be potted without also potting an 'on' ball, it will be loss of turn. Control of the table returns to the opponent; the cue ball is played from where it lies.
The only exception to this is during an open table where the choice of groups has yet to be decided, see point (4) below.
For example:
Shall be called as soon as they occur, the fouling player is in control until all balls from that shot have come to rest. The incoming player is awarded one visit and a cue ball in hand, which can be:
The only exception to (a) is If the cue ball has come to rest and is touching an object ball and therefore must be repositioned.
A timeout may be called for:
Including but not exclusive to:
If any situation arises whereby a 'legal shot' (see Rule 6e(12)) cannot be played, It is a player's responsibility to ask for a stalemate. In other words, if there is not a path 'out' for the cue ball or not a path 'into' the ball 'on', in the first instance the player must ask for a stalemate if they believe a 'legal shot' cannot be played. A decision on whether a stalemate exists will be at the referee's discretion. A referee will disregard a player's ability when making a stalemate decision.
If the referee (or opponent - if no referee) confirms a stalemate, the frame shall be restarted with a re-rack. The player who originally broke will restart the re-racked frame. If no stalemate is confirmed, the players must continue their visit.
(1) An object ball is deemed frozen whilst touching a cushion. It is a standard foul if the cue ball initially contacts a frozen ball first and the shot does not result in:
(2) A ball is only deemed frozen if confirmed by the referee or player, prior to the shot being taken.
(1) There is no penalty if balls are moved in these circumstances:
(2) The referee will return the balls as close as possible to their original positions whenever possible. Re-racks will only be granted in extreme circumstances. The referee's decision is final.
(3) The referee can reset the shot clock if they consider the situation warrants. The decision is at the referee's discretion.
Each player is allotted 45 seconds for each shot. The tip of the cue must have made contact with the cue ball within this time or a standard foul shall be granted to the opponent. The 45-second shot clock will commence once all balls come to rest. The timekeeper will verbally count down from 5 seconds. One extension per frame is permitted per player, whereby the referee will add 15 seconds to the remaining time at the request of the player.
A shot is 'complete' when all balls have come to rest. (1) After a shot is 'complete', any ball(s) that drops into a pocket, without being struck, will be replaced to their original positions. A shot is 'in progress' when the cue ball has been struck and all the balls have not come to a rest. (2) During a shot 'in progress', any ball(s) that drops into a pocket, without being struck and wouldn't have been played as part of a shot, shall be replaced to their original positions after all balls have come to rest. (3) During a shot 'in progress', any ball(s) that drops into a pocket, without being struck and would have been played as part of a shot, in this instance ALL BALLS will be replaced to their original positions after all balls have come to rest. After the balls have been reset to their original positions, the original player will always continue with no penalty, unless: - (a) A foul had been committed or - (b) The original player failed to pot a ball 'on' (the expectation to this is rule (3) where the original player will always continue).
It is a 'standard foul' if a ball leaves the playing surface at any point during the frame AND does not return by its own means and remains off the playing surface (other than being potted)
(1) If it is the cue ball, then it is ball in hand, to be played anywhere on the table.
(2) Object balls are re-spotted (See Rule 6m).
An object ball is re-spotted with its centre point on the eight-ball spot or as near as possible to that spot in a direct line between the spot and the centre point of the top cushion.
Object balls are re-spotted in the following order:
Return balls as close as possible to other balls without touching.
It is the responsibility of each player to be aware of all rules. However, a referee on request may advise on the rules of the game but must not provide any subjective opinion that would affect the result of the frame. Tournament officials will make every reasonable effort to make the information readily available to all players. However, the ultimate responsibility rests with each individual player. There is no recourse if a player does not obtain correct or complete information. Players may always call for rule(s) clarification during play. However, this is not considered as a "Timeout".
(1) A player must play away from 'ALL' touching balls at an angle of perpendicular (90 degrees) or greater and fulfil the requirements of a 'legal shot'. A player shall not be penalised If playing away from touching ball(s) causes any touching ball to rock or move slightly because it was 'resting' on the cue ball. (2) If the table is 'open' and touching ball(s) have been confirmed, the player must, in the following order: - (a) Nominate a group. (This is for clarity of the shot, and not to decide a group for the remainder of the frame) See Rule 6a (1) on deciding groups. - (b) Perform all the requirements of a 'legal shot'. (3) If the groups have been decided and touching ball(s) has been confirmed, the player must perform all the requirements of a 'legal shot'. (4) If the cue ball is touching an 'on' ball, the player is deemed to have made 'initial contact' in order to fulfil the requirements of a 'legal shot'.
DEFINITION - To play a 'legal shot' the player must cause the cue ball's initial contact to be with a ball 'on' and THEN must either:
Simultaneous contact of object balls is allowed as long as one of the contacted object balls is 'on'.
A frame is over when the eight-ball is potted on a legal shot and all the balls have come to rest or in a 'loss of frame' situation.
These rules are the International Rules v2c (May 2023) as published by the EPA. For the full official rules, diagrams and supporting documents, visit www.epa.org.uk/rules