The GB9 Tournament Director and Official Referee will strictly enforce the following
regulations.
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1. Match time: It is the
players responsibility to check the draw sheet for the time of their
next match. Players must be present in the venue and ready to
play at their scheduled start time. The Tournament Director
will call the match when your table is available but you should not
rely on this and always check the tournament notice board. Once names are called the
tournament director will note down the time of the match and players
must
be
present at the table ready to play within 5 minutes of that
time. If your opponent is not present within the required time
players must promptly inform the Tournament Director or
Referee.
Penalty for breach of rule: 5-9 minutes late - 1
rack, 10-19 minutes late - 3 racks, 20 or more minutes late - loss
of match.
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2. Practice:
2a Practice immediately before match: After your match has
been called play must begin promptly as soon as both players arrive
at the designated table. Each player is allow a maximum
of 1 rack practice, which should take no more than 3 minutes.
The only exceptions is where your opponent does not arrive at the table
within the permitted time (as per rule 1) . In this case you may practice
whilst waiting for your opponent only upon authorisation from the
Tournament Director or Referee. Such authorisation will
only normally be given when your opponent is at least 5 minutes late
and is known to be further delayed. As soon as your opponent
arrives at the table no further practice is allowed by either player
and play must begin promptly.
Penalty for breach of rule: 1st occasion loss of 1 rack (at the
referee's discretion a warning may be given), 2nd occasion - loss of
match.
2b Practice between matches: Players
are not allowed to practice or play on any of the designated match
tables whilst the tournament is in progress, however practice is
allowed on Friday afternoon, Saturday morning and Sunday morning
before the first tournament session of the day. This practice
must finish promptly prior to the start of play when announced by
the tournament director.
Penalty for breach of rule: Disqualification from tournament (at
the referee or Tournament Director's discretion a warning may be
given). In cases of deliberate repeat offences disciplinary
proceedings may also be invoked.
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3. Timeout: Each player is
allowed one 5 minute timeout per match, which must be taken at the
end of a rack (regardless of who is to break next). Players
must otherwise not leave the playing area without the consent of the
referee, Tournament Director or opponent. To exercise his/her
right to a time out the player must:
(1) inform the referee or opponent of his/her intention and,
(2) make sure the referee or opponent is aware of the fact and marks
it on the score sheet and,
(3) make sure the referee or opponent marks the table for suspended
play. (The standard procedure will be to place a cue stick on the
table.)
The opponent must then return to his/her seat as during normal play;
should he/she involve him/herself in any other activities it will be
considered exercising a timeout and no further timeout will be
allowed.
Penalty for breach of rule: 1st occasion - loss of
1 rack (at the discretion of the referee a warning may
be given instead or if the absence is more than 10 minutes the
Tournament Director may at their discretion immediately deem loss of
match without warning), 2nd occasion - loss of match.
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4. Sickness timeout: If a
player requires a pause in play due to illness or potential illness
they must immediately inform the referee or Tournament Director who at his/her
sole discretion will authorise a maximum 10 minute sickness timeout.
Such a timeout can only be taken if the referee, Tournament Director or
his/her appointed official is present. If the timeout is taken
without such approval
the player is deemed to be absent from the table and rule 3 applies.
Penalty for breach of rule: 10 minutes exceeded by
up to 5 minutes - loss of 1 rack, 15 minutes elapsed - loss of
match.
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5. Tip timeout: If a player's
cue tip becomes loose or significantly damaged during a match they
may seek permission from the referee or Tournament Director or appointed
official for a 15 minute tip timeout. Whether the tip is
damaged sufficiently to warrant a tip timeout is at the sole
discretion of this official. If the
timeout is taken without approval the player is deemed to be absent
from the table and rule 3 applies.
Penalty for breach of rule: 15 minutes exceeded by up to 5 minutes -
loss of 1 rack, 20 minutes elapsed - loss of match.
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6. Smoking & Drinking: Smoking
or drinking alcohol is not
permitted during a match or a timeout. Alcoholic drinks must
not be taken to the table during a match.
Penalty for breach of rule: 1st occasion - loss of
1 rack, second occasion - loss of match, 3rd occasion - reported to
disciplinary committee.
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7. Racking: Players will rack
for each other except with mutual agreement to rack their own.
Unless players have agreed to rack their own the player breaking may
inspect the rack and ask for it to be re-racked but they must not
touch the rack in any way.
Penalty for breach of rule: See rule 11 -
unsporting behaviour.
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8. Speed of play: Tournaments
are run to strict time schedules and matches are allocated the
following time limits:
- Race to 7 - 1 hour
- Race to 8 - 1 hour 15 minutes
- Race to 9 - 1 hour 30 minutes
- Race to 11 - 2 hours
If the match has not progressed past the half way point (i.e. 50% of
the total racks completed in 50% of the allotted time) or the
referee believes this situation will arise the
referee may at his/her sole discretion warn the players
to increase their speed of play or introduce the shot clock.
If the shot clock is to be introduced the referee or Tournament Director may
delegate responsibility for administering this to anyone they deem
fit. If the shot clock is introduced players will have
35 seconds from the time the balls stop moving after the last shot
to complete the next shot. A warning will be given after 25
seconds have elapsed. A player may call for an extension once
per rack whereupon a further 25 seconds will be allowed on expiry of
the 35 seconds making a total of 60 seconds.
Penalty for breach of rule: Failure to complete
the shot within the allotted time will be called a foul.
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9. Referee: It is the players'
responsibility to call a referee to a table to watch a shot or make
a determination. If an official referee is not present at the event
any other player not involved in the match may be asked to act as
referee for the duration of the shot if both players agree,
otherwise the Tournament Director must be called to act as referee.
The shooter or the opponent has the right to call a referee. If the
opponent calls for a referee, it must be done before the shooter
goes down on the shot (if shooter plays quickly, then opponent must
act quickly). If the shooter subsequently ignores the call for a
referee it is a foul. If either player feels as though the
referee has made the wrong decision, the player(s) has the right to
ask that the call be reviewed by the Tournament Director. The
review will consist of the Tournament Director asking each of the
players for their opinion, as well as the referee's opinion, and the
opinion of anyone the Tournament Director believes could add insight
to the situation. After review, the Tournament Director will make a
final determination. After such a final determination is made, any
arguing or derogatory remarks toward an opponent, referee, witness,
or Tournament Director, will be deemed unsporting behaviour and be
dealt with in accordance with rule 11.
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10. Dress code: Players must respect the
dress code at all times during
tournaments.
Penalty for breach of rule when noticed before the
start of a match:
At the Tournament Directors sole discretion any of
the following penalties or a combination of these may be used
depending upon the Tournament Directors opinion of the severity of
the breach and whether it is a repeat offence:
1. Permission to play refused before dress is rectified (in which
case the rule 1 applies if scheduled times are not adhered to).
2. Permission to play next match is granted but warning that dress must be corrected before
subsequent match.
3. Warning that dress must be corrected before next tour stop.
Penalty for breach of rule when noticed during a
match and breach can be corrected without any delay to the match or
within an available timeout:
At the referee's discretion any of
the following penalties may be used
depending upon the referee's opinion of the severity of
the breach and whether it is a repeat offence:
1. Warning (usually for minor breaches and likely to be offered once
only).
2. 1 rack deduction (usually for serious breach or a second
offence). The referee will decide if the current rack is to be
awarded against or the following rack.
3. Loss of match (usually used for persistent or deliberate
offenders).
Penalty for breach of rule when noticed during a
match and breach cannot be corrected without any delay to the match
or within an available timeout:
At the referee's discretion any of
the following penalties may be used
depending upon the referee's opinion of the severity of
the breach and whether it is a repeat offence:
1. Warning that dress must be corrected before next match (usually
for minor breaches and likely to be offered once only).
2. 1 rack deduction (usually for serious breach or a second
offence). The referee will decide if the current rack is to be
awarded against or the following rack.
3. Loss of match (usually used for persistent or deliberate
offenders).
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11. Unsporting behaviour:
Players must conduct themselves in a fair and sporting fashion and
obey the spirit of the rules at all times. Players must not do
anything which is likely to intimidate, offend, insult, humiliate or
discriminate (on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, or
ethnic origin) against any other person.
Penalty for breach of rule: At the referee or Tournament
Directors discretion any of the following penalties or a
combination of these may be used:
1. Warning.
2. Loss of rack.
3. Loss of match.
4. Disqualification from tour stop (all tournaments held that weekend).
5. Reported to disciplinary committee.
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12 Entry fees: Players must pay
their entry fee instalments by the due date.
Penalty for breach of rule: Refused entry into
tour stops until fees are up to date or ban from entering
further seasons until outstanding fees are paid.
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13 Break off:
At GB9 events the 9 ball will be racked on the spot. If the tables are
tapped the following rule will be in force in addition to the normal
rules associated with the break off (as defined in the WPA rules)
unless otherwise advised by the Tournament Director or on the notice
board at the event:
The player breaking must score at least 3 points. 1 point is
scored for each object ball pocketed and a further point is scored for each
object ball that passes the
head string. A single ball can only count once so object balls passing the
head string and falling into a pocket count 1 point. A ball is deemed to have passed the
head string if any part of the ball has broken the line.
Regardless of whether any balls are pocketed if a player fails to
earn the required 3 points it will be considered an illegal break
(this is not the same as a foul break as defined in the WPA rules).
After an illegal break the opponent has the option to play (as if it
were a dry break) or pass control of the table back to the breaker.
As usual either player who plays the next shot after the break has
the option to push out.
In the case of a dry break i.e. 3 points are scored but no
balls are pocketed play will proceed as normal (i.e. play or push
out). There is no play or pass option for the incoming player
in this situation as it is not an illegal break.
This applies to all players in all GB9 events. The
Tournament Director has discretion to waive this rule on request for
individual matches if the table conditions are considered too
difficult. The rule will not be waived simply because one
player does not have a sufficiently powerful break.
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14. Tapping of balls: A table
is said to be tapped when a template is placed in the rack area,
balls are placed in the holes in the template and are tapped into
place. This procedure replaces the use of the traditional triangle
rack, and ensures a quick, tight rack. The choice of tapping over
traditional racking with a triangle is at the discretion of the
event organizer. Players must never tap balls; only tournament
officials should tap or re-tap (if needed) the racking area.
To do so will be considered unsportsmanlike behaviour and rule 11
applies.
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15. Deliberately moving ball:
Players must never intentionally touch any ball in play except with
a forward stroke of the cue tip on the cue ball. To do so will
be considered unsportsmanlike behaviour and rule 11 applies.
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16. Coaching: Players are not
allowed to seek assistance or advice during a match with the
exception of during a timeout when coaching is allowed if conducted
away from the table. To do so will be considered
unsportsmanlike behaviour and rule 11 applies.
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17. Remaining in chair: The
non-shooting player should remain in his/her designated chair while
the opponent is at the table. Should a player need to leave the
playing area during matches, he/she must use a timeout or request
and receive permission from the referee. Otherwise it will be
treated as unsportsmanlike behaviour and rule 11 applies.
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18. Shoot-out:
This rule only applies if a shoot-out is used at a GB9 event.
At the moment we have no plans to do so. A shoot-out will be played in place of the deciding rack if the match
reaches a hill-hill situation. Both players will lag to decide
who chooses the order of play. The cue ball is placed on
the head spot. The 9 ball is placed below the usual
racking area level with the first diamond, centred. Players will
take 5 turns each to pocket the 9 ball into the left or right corner
pocket. If the ball is legally pocketed directly (no bank or
kick shots) in accordance with the usual rules of play the player
will score 1 point. In the event of a tie after 5 turns each
play with continue with one turn each on a sudden death basis.
If the score at this point is 0-0 the object ball will be moved to
to the centre of the table in line with the side pockets and middle
diamond. In a sudden death situation players will retain the
same order of play. The winner of the shoot-out will be
awarded the final rack and the match.
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19. Score sheet: Both players
are responsible for completing the score sheet correctly as each
rack is completed. If you start the next rack without checking
the score sheet you may be deemed to have accepted the score.
All four boxes must be completed with running totals after every
rack. The rack score and the number of break and runs for each
player should be clearly shown in the four boxes beneath the
previously completed rack. The winning player should ensure
the score sheet is completed correctly and with both signatures
present before submission to the tournament desk.
Penalty for breach of rule:
Incorrectly submitted score sheet - Disqualification
Break and runs not completed after each rack - Break and runs
nullified by referee for that match.
(at the discretion of the referee or tournament director a warning
may be given for either of the above.)
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20. Equipment:
In addition to
Rule 1.3
of the WPA rules of play the following equipment is not
allowed at GB9 events:
- Wearing of headphones during a match
- Green chalk on blue cloth (this is in accordance with WPA rule 1.3
but is repeated here for the benefit of GB9 players as it is a
little known rule). Chalk, which is incompatible with the
cloth colour is extremely difficult for tournament staff to remove
and the untidy cloth may adversely affect your opponent or
subsequent competitors using the table.
Penalty for breach of rule: At the referee or Tournament
Directors discretion any of the following penalties or a
combination of these may be used:
1. Warning.
2. Loss of rack.
3. Loss of match.
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21. Situations not covered by the
rules or
regulations: If any situation or question arises that is not
covered in the rules or regulations (e.g. an act of god) the Tournament Director will be
consulted and his/her decision will be final.
