FAQ's: Pool Rules
See your team folder for a complete listing of the rules!
OR contact the Bullseye League office with further questions @ 608/241-7888 ext 3
Who brings the scoresheet and envelope?
The home team captain is responsible for BOTH the scoresheet and the envelope.
The scoresheets are 3 part carbonless copies. The visiting team keeps track on the pink copy, the home team keeps score on the white and yellow copies. It's a good idea to check with the other team periodically throughout the match to make sure scores agree, to avoid a problem at the end of the match! The white copy gets signed at the end by both captains and should be included in the envelope with any kitty money paid.
What are the fees?
Weekly fees are $5 (except Vegas league: $10). Captains are responsible to make sure their FULL team kitty is paid each night. Kitty fees are collected weekly and then distributed as prize money at the end of the season.
All leagues are VNEA sanctioned, meaning players can participate in local, state and national tournaments which are ran by the sanctioning body. Sanction fee: $15. (Breakmasters, Vegas and Hotshots also pay $15 for BCA sanctioning)
Late kitty fees or sanctioning fees are subject to late fees at Bullseye’s discretion.
Each game costs $1 – players split the quarters.
Can my team use subs?
Of course! Each team is allowed to use six “subs” that are not added to their roster. Just put “sub” on the scoresheet! The kitty fee will be due for subs, but they will not need to pay a sanction fee.
If you have someone sub that is sanctioned on another Bullseye team (must be from a different league!), you might just want to add them to your roster, so not to use up one of the free subs. NO NEW PLAYERS OR SUBS MAY BE USED THE LAST FOUR WEEKS OF THE SEASON!
For HOTSHOTS: when using a sub for the first time, Use 8.0 as their average. After that, use the "sub" average off the stats.
Who fills out the line-up first on the scoresheet? (who plays who and when?)
For all leagues except Hotshots: The home team chooses and fills out their line-up first, the visiting team then sets their line up. On the scoresheet, there are boxes indicating which players are opponents in each game. The boxes are lined up vertically showing who is playing who. The home team follows their order throughout the match, the visitors rotate so that each player on one team plays each player on the other team. (This is all indicated by the boxes on the scoresheet!)
For HOTSHOTS: The home team chooses and sets line up first - Must line up players in order by team rank either by highest to lowest or lowest to highest. The visitors then match up their players in the same order chosen by the home team. Boxes on the scoresheet indicate which players are to play each game. The boxes are lined up vertically to show who plays who and when.
What if all my players aren’t present at the match start time?
The match may be started before all players are present. A missing player has until the start of their second game before they must forfeit their first round game. If a player misses their first game (and all other games in the round have been played) they receive a ZERO and the opponent receives a 10. Mark the missing player’s score box with an F indicating forfeit.
What if the other team doesn’t show up?
It’s possible they were confused as to what home bar you were shooting at – try and locate them. If you cannot contact or locate them, you need to call the Bullseye League office that night and leave a message on the League Hotline Voicemail. Only team stats will be counted for a forfeit – individual stats will not be affected. Both teams will need to pay double kitty fees the following week.
What if my team needs to reschedule a match?
Call the opposing team’s captain. (You got a list of all the captain’s phone #s in your folder!) Work out a different time to play the match. This must be done before 5 pm on the night of play. Bullseye MUST be notified if a match is rescheduled. (241-7888 ext 3)
What if the weather is terrible and my team can’t make it to the match?
Bullseye will not call off all leagues because of weather. The choice to reschedule a match due to weather is left up to the individual teams. If you determine your team cannot make it to the match, contact the opposing team captain to reschedule. Also contact the Bullseye League Office to let us know the match won’t be played AND contact the home bar to let them know it won’t be played. This must be done before 5 pm on the night of play.
What if the pool table is not working? (quarters jammed/needs to be leveled/etc)
Notify the bartender ASAP – they should contact Bullseye Service (241-7888 ext 1) immediately and a service technician will be out to take care of it!
Who takes the envelope/scoresheet at the end of the night?
The visiting team is responsible for getting the envelope containing the completed scoresheet and any fees paid to a Drop off point. If it cannot be dropped off the same night as the match, you must call Bullseye and let the office know when it will be turned in.
Where are the Drop Off Locations?
Tower Inn Wilson's
Pitcher’s Pub Monkeyshines
Bowl-a-vard -take to bowling counter and get receipt
Wandos - leave in drop box (in front door, to left, up on riser to left of front window)
RACK/BREAK ?s
How should the balls be racked?
The eight ball should be in the middle of the third row – each bottom corner ball should be different: one a stripe, one a solid.
What if I have a weak break?
If four balls do not strike a rail, or one ball go into a pocket, the opposing player can ask to re-rack the balls. THE SAME PLAYER BREAKS AGAIN. After a second failed attempt, the opponent can take the break.
What happens on an 8 ball break?
You can neither win nor lose on an 8 ball break. If you make the 8-ball in on the break, you have the option of having the balls re-racked or spotting the 8-ball. Make sure you mark the scoresheet indicating an 8-ball break, you do get a reward! IF YOU SCRATCH when hitting the 8 in on the break, your opponent has the option of having the balls re-racked and taking the break, or having the 8-ball spotted. Players split the cost of the re-rack/spot.
What if my opponent asks to have a ball spotted and there is another ball on the spot?
If a ball is interfering with the spotting of another, the ball being spotted should be placed as close to the spot as possible, behind the interfering ball. (closer to the foot rail).
GAME PLAY ?s?
What is the game? The game is call your pocket! Kisses and caroms need not be called.
What is an ERO?
Eightball Run Out – When you legally pocket all of your object balls and the eightball at your FIRST TURN at the table. (if you break, that is your first turn at the table) ALL 15 BALLS MUST BE ON THE TABLE AT THE START OF YOUR TURN OR IT IS NOT AN ERO. Make sure to note the feat on the scoresheet to ensure proper award and credit are received.
What is a 10-0?
A 10-0 is awarded when you win the game and all of your opponent's balls remain on the table. Mark the appropriate place on the scoresheet to be sure proper award and credit are received.
What if a ball is knocked off the table?
Any ball knocked off the table is considered a foul. If you knock your own ball off the table it should be spotted. If you knock your opponents ball off the table they have the option of it being pocketed. Any balls knocked off an open table are spotted in numerical order. If the cue ball is knocked off the table, it’s a scratch. If the 8-ball is knocked off the table, it’s a loss of game.
I just bought a new jump cue at Bullseye and I've been practicing - is a jump shot legal during a league match?
Bullseye would prefer that the cue not come into contact at all with the felt, for obvious reasons. However, as long as it is an actual jump and not a "scoop" a jump shot IS a legal shot.
Can my teammates/friends/anyone else tell me how/what to shoot?
NO. Coaching is not allowed and is considered a foul. 2nd violation within same game is a LOSS.
What happens when a ball is frozen on a rail or another object ball?
If your ball is frozen on a rail (touching the rail), you must hit it with the cue ball, causing it to be pocketed, to hit another rail, or to hit another object ball into a rail. (you cannot just push your ball into the same rail)
If the cue ball is frozen on (or very close to) your object ball, you must hit the cue ball using a 45 degree angle, down or to the right or left. (to avoid a double hit, which is a foul)
What happens if my opponent fouls?
Call your opponent on it. It’s now your turn. You can shoot from the current location of the cue ball or you can move it to any spot in the kitchen. (except Breakmasters, Vegas, Ball Busters, Hotshots, Hustlers and Scotch Doubles – ball in hand anywhere on the table). You do not HAVE to take a foul – your call.
If I scratch when I’m shooting at the 8-ball, is that a loss?
If you scratch while attempting to pocket the 8, it is NOT a loss, unless the 8 is also pocketed.
NEW!!! What is my score if I pocket the 8-ball when the table is still open?
In a situation where you lose the game before you have been designated stripes or solids, you will take the score for the group of balls you were attempting to pocket when the 8-ball dropped. (Balls may have been pocketed on the break or failed attempts at a legal shot. If no balls have been pocketed, you get a ZERO) This is a special circumstance rule; although you have not technically "earned" those points, your opponent has not technically "earned" that 10 either.
What if both my opponent and I purposely foul to avoid losing the game?
If both players repeatedly, purposely foul/scratch to avoid losing the game, it’s a STALEMATE. Game is replayed. (split the quarters!)
What if my captain and the opposing captain cannot settle a dispute?
If a dispute absolutely cannot be settled, even after a call to the league cell phone and talking between captains, a protest can be submitted to Bullseye. This must be IN WRITING within 48 hours of the match. A $20 deposit is required and will be returned if dissenting captain wins the protest.
What if my opponents are BAD SPORTS??
We are here to have FUN! Good sportsmanship is the most important rule! If you are having problems with bad sports, call the league time cell-phone immediately. Bad sportsmanship could result in loss of game, loss of match, or being removed from the league.
What if there is a mistake on the stats? (missing ERO, wrong scores, etc)
The league coordinator is human and can make mistakes entering scores, not to mention some of the scoresheets that come in aren't written in the best handwriting. Just give the League office a call or send an email and we'll take care of it right away!
What if I have more questions?
A complete, detailed set of rules is included in each team folder. If you have further questions, contact the Bullseye league office at 241-7888 ext 3 – 9am to 5pm, Monday thru Friday.
If you need assistance during your match, call the League Time Cell Phone between the hours of 6-10 @ 576-7006.
REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN EVERYONE!! GOOD LUCK!