MATCHPLAY GUIDELINES AND RULES - Fall 2025

BYLAWS

1.0 GENERAL .................................................................................................................. 5

1.1 NAME .............................................................................................................................................................. 5

1.2 PURPOSE ....................................................................................................................................................... 5

1.3 PRINCIPAL OFFICE ..................................................................................................................................... 5

1.4 STRUCTURE ................................................................................................................................................. 5

1.5 DISSOLUTION .............................................................................................................................................. 5

2.0 ORGANIZATION ....................................................................................................... 5

2.1 MEMBERSHIP .............................................................................................................................................. 5

2.2 SPONSORS ..................................................................................................................................................... 5

2.3 TEAM .............................................................................................................................................................. 5

2.4 TEAM CAPTAINS ......................................................................................................................................... 6

2.5 TEAM FINES ................................................................................................................................................. 6

2.6 TEAM PLAYER ADDITIONS ..................................................................................................................... 6

2.7 TEAM DROPOUTS ...................................................................................................................................... 6

2.8 DIVISIONS ..................................................................................................................................................... 6

3.0 FEES ......................................................................................................................... 7

3.1 STRUCTURE ................................................................................................................................................. 7

3.2 SPONSOR REGISTRATION FEE ............................................................................................................... 7

3.3 TEAM REGISTRATION FEE ...................................................................................................................... 7

3.4 WEEKLY PLAYERS FEE ............................................................................................................................. 7

3.5 DISBURSEMENT OF LEAGUE MONIES ................................................................................................. 7

4.0 BOARD OF OFFICERS ................................................................................................ 7

4.1 GENERAL ....................................................................................................................................................... 7

4.2 NUMBER OF BOARD MEMBERS ............................................................................................................. 7

4.3 NOMINATIONS ............................................................................................................................................ 7

4.4 TERMS OF OFFICE ...................................................................................................................................... 8

4.5 NEWLY CREATED BOARD POSITIONS ................................................................................................. 8

4.6 ELECTIONS ................................................................................................................................................... 8

4.7 BALLOTS ....................................................................................................................................................... 8

4.8 TIE VOTES ..................................................................................................................................................... 8

4.9 BOARD POSITIONS .................................................................................................................................... 8

4.10 OFFICERS .................................................................................................................................................... 8

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4.11.1 PRESIDENT: ........................................................................................................................................... 9

4.11.2 VICE PRESIDENT: ................................................................................................................................. 9

4.11.3 SECRETARY: ........................................................................................................................................... 9

4.11.4 TREASURER: ........................................................................................................................................ 10

4.11.5 STATISTICIAN: .................................................................................................................................... 10

4.11.6 COMMUNITY RELATIONS: ............................................................................................................... 10

4.11.7 BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE: .......................................................................................................... 11

4.11.8 WEB MASTER: ..................................................................................................................................... 11

4.12 RIGHTS OF OFFICERS ........................................................................................................................... 11

4.13 OFFICE VACANCIES ............................................................................................................................... 11

4.14 PRESIDENTIAL RESIGNATION .......................................................................................................... 11

4.15 REMOVAL OF OFFICERS ...................................................................................................................... 11

5.0 MEETINGS ............................................................................................................... 11

5.1 GENERAL ..................................................................................................................................................... 11

5.2 MEETING RULES ....................................................................................................................................... 11

5.3 CAPTAIN’S MEETINGS............................................................................................................................. 12

5.4 RULES COMMITTEE MEETINGS (RCM) ............................................................................................. 12

5.5 BOARD MEETINGS ................................................................................................................................... 12

5.5.1 BOARD E-VOTES ................................................................................................................................... 12

5.6 QUORUM ..................................................................................................................................................... 12

6.0 CHANGES TO BYLAWS, MATCH POLICY, RULES & HISTORIES ................................... 12

6.1 PROCEDURE ............................................................................................................................................... 12

6.2 HISTORY CHANGES .................................................................................................................................. 13

6.3 HANDBOOKS .............................................................................................................................................. 13

7.0 PLAYOFFS ................................................................................................................ 13

7.1 GENERAL ..................................................................................................................................................... 13

7.2 ELIGIBILITY ............................................................................................................................................... 13

7.3 FORMAT ...................................................................................................................................................... 13

7.3.1 TIES ........................................................................................................................................................... 13

8.0 TOURNAMENTS ...................................................................................................... 13

8.1 CLEMENS CAPTAINS ................................................................................................................................ 14

8.2 OPEN INDIVIDUAL’S TOURNAMENT .................................................................................................. 14

8.3 WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT ...................................................................................................................... 14

8.4 TOPS & BOTTOMS .................................................................................................................................... 14

8.5 RISING STAR .............................................................................................................................................. 14

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8.6 THE HEINEN CHARITY TOURNAMENT ............................................................................................. 14

9.0 AWARDS ................................................................................................................. 14

9.1 GENERAL ..................................................................................................................................................... 14

9.2 CERTIFICATES ........................................................................................................................................... 15

9.2.1 TR’s / 4&0’s ............................................................................................................................................ 15

9.2.2 Steve Holt Endurance Award ........................................................................................................... 15

9.3 MULTIPLE AWARDS ................................................................................................................................ 15

9.4 TOURNAMENT AWARDS ....................................................................................................................... 15

9.5 PERPETUAL TROPHIES .......................................................................................................................... 15

9.6 CELEBRATED ACHIEVEMENTS ............................................................................................................ 15

9.6.1 SAN DIEGO HALL OF FAME AWARD ............................................................................................... 15

9.6.2 WEST COAST CHALLENGE HALL OF FAME AWARD .................................................................. 16

9.6.2.1 WEST COAST CHALLENGE HALL OF FAME TROPHY ............................................................. 16

9.6.3 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD ................................................................................................. 16

9.7 SPECIAL SERVICE AWARD..................................................................................................................... 16

9.8 PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS -

..................................................................................................................... 16

9.9 WALKER AWARD ..................................................................................................................................... 17

10.0 WEST COAST CHALLENGE (WCC) ........................................................................... 17

10.1 GENERAL .................................................................................................................................................. 17

10.1.1 SHARE OF COST .................................................................................................................................. 17

10.2 SAN FRANCISCO ..................................................................................................................................... 17

11.0 UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT ............................................................................. 17

11.1 PROCEDURES .......................................................................................................................................... 18

12.0 APPROVED TOURNAMENT BRACKETS ................................................................... 18

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SAN DIEGO POOL LEAGUE

BYLAWS

1.0 GENERAL

1.1 NAME - The name of this League is the San Diego Pool League (SDPL). We are a non-profit 501

c(4) organization.

1.2 PURPOSE - The purpose of the SDPL is to foster regional and national amateur sports

competition, and to create an organizational structure for the education and development of

amateur competitors.

1.3 PRINCIPAL OFFICE - The principal office of the SDPL shall be located in San Diego, California

and the SDPL shall conduct all business through its current address at P.O. Box 3434, San Diego, CA.

92163 and through its website at www.sdpool.org

1.4 STRUCTURE - The SDPL holds weekly team play on Monday nights in the central San Diego

area conducting two (2) seasons each year.

1.5 DISSOLUTION - The property of the SDPL is irrevocably dedicated to public and/or charitable

purposes and no part of its net income or assets shall ever inure to the benefit of any director,

officer, or member, or to the benefit of any private person. Upon the dissolution or winding up of

the SDPL, its assets remaining after payment, or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities

shall be distributed to a nonprofit fund, foundation, or corporation which is organized exclusively

for public and/or charitable purposes and which has established its tax exempt status under

Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).

2.0 ORGANIZATION

2.1 MEMBERSHIP - Membership in the SDPL is open to any individual who has reached the legal

age of 21 and who wishes to subscribe to the Bylaws, Match Policy and Rules of the League.

Qualification for membership shall be without regard to race, sex, creed, color or sexual orientation.

Members shall be grouped into teams with a team captain and sponsor.

2.2 SPONSORS - Any business or organization may sponsor teams upon meeting the following

requirements:

• Arrange for the free use of an acceptable pool table for the 16 games played during each

weekly match in a cocktail lounge, tavern or like establishment. An establishment may have

no more than 2 teams per pool table.

• Designate one individual as a point of contact between the sponsoring business or

organization and the SDPL.

2.3 TEAM - Shall be composed of between four and seven players. It is the responsibility of each

member to adhere to the policies and rules of the SDPL. Each team in a division will play every

other team in that division at least twice during the season. Team names to be limited to 15

characters/numbers including spaces.

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2.4 TEAM CAPTAINS - Are designated by their team members to represent them in the

determination of policy that governs the operation/rules of the SDPL, with responsibility for the

following:

• Must have a phone, email or contact number.
• Ensure that team members are aware of and adhere to all SDPL Bylaws, Match Policy and

Rules.

• Attend all designated Captain’s Meetings or send a representative.
• Act as host when playing at their team’s sponsor bar by performing duties as assigned by the

Board.

• Designate a co-captain to act in their absence.
• When hosting, must ensure that the score sheet and any materials required by the Board are texted

or emailed to designated officers(s) and weekly playing fees are deposited electronically into the

Board designated account immediately following the match, but no later than noon the following

day.

A team captain can be removed from their position with or without cause, by vote of the team

members or by the Board. The team’s sponsor must be notified of the removal.

2.5 TEAM FINES - As required by these Bylaws, Team Fines will be assessed by the following:

• Failure to turn in either score sheets or weekly match fees within 24 hours after the start of

your match, the home team will be charged a $5.00 fine per occurrence.

• Failure to have team representation at a scheduled Captains meeting is a $10.00 fine.

2.6 TEAM PLAYER ADDITIONS – Any player added to an existing roster who has qualified as

paying 50% or more of the total season games in a division and completed with an average of 50%

or higher wins within the last 3 previous seasons may not be added or move into a lower division

without the permission of the Board.

2.7 TEAM DROPOUTS - Any team accumulating 16 or more forfeits during any one season may be

dropped from the league. If the team to be dropped completed all their matches during the 1st half

of the season (this means, without any forfeits occurring in the first half) all matches, wins and

losses from opposing teams and individuals will stand and only those scores from the 2nd half of

the season will be eliminated. No individual who was part of a dropped team can qualify for playoffs

or awards. All money paid into the league by the forfeiting team will be forfeited.

2.8 DIVISIONS - Based on the information provided on new season’s registration forms and prior

season’s standings, divisions will be structured at a formal Board meeting no later than two weeks

prior to the Awards Banquet. New season team line-up will be determined accordingly. Statistician

shall prepare and submit to the Board, end of season stats and a new base line-up of Divisions and

Teams based on: 1. All 1st place teams with the exception of ‘A’ move up one division. 2. All last

place teams with the exception of the lowest division move down one division. 3. If there are no

other team additions, drops, division change requests or Board concerns, the new team lineup may

be voted on.

a. Finalize the number of new and existing teams.

b. Redraw line-up with new team additions, division change requests and any Board concerns.

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c. Finalize the number of divisions with the number of teams for each division, limiting the

number of byes and recognizing fiscal affect.

Review final new season line-up for Board vote.

d. 3.0 FEES

3.1 STRUCTURE - It is each member’s responsibility to pay SDPL assessed fees at such time, place

and in an amount established. Fees will be assessed as follows:

• Team registration fee
• Weekly player’s fee

3.2 SPONSOR REGISTRATION FEE - deleted Spring 2025.

3.3 TEAM REGISTRATION FEE - Shall be $25.00 per team per season payable on the first night of

season play. This fee registers the entire team and these funds will go into the SDPL operating fund.

3.4 WEEKLY PLAYERS FEE – Shall be $40.00 per team ($2.50 per game) per week of regular play,

payable at the match each week. The full amount is payable each week without exception. Each

player playing that week shall pay their portion of the player fees as determined by the team

captains. Regardless of the number of players, $40.00 is due without exception. These funds will go

into the SDPL operating fund.

3.5 DISBURSEMENT OF LEAGUE MONIES – All moneys collected each season shall be used for the

purpose of providing its members with trophies (as outlined in the bylaws under Tournaments and

Awards), an award banquet, funding West Coast Challenge participation and Board approved SDPL

operating expenses.

4.0 BOARD OF OFFICERS

4.1 GENERAL - The members of the SDPL teams shall elect a Board of Officers, herein referred to as

the “Board”, to manage and control SDPL affairs and finances. No member of the Board shall be

personally liable for any debts, liabilities or obligations of the SDPL. Board and league members can

be held accountable, however, for any money or property for which they had assumed

responsibility. Officers and team captains shall serve with compensation as

approved by the team captains.

4.2 NUMBER OF BOARD MEMBERS - The Board of Officers shall consist of six elected members.

4.3 NOMINATIONS - During the first four weeks of a team’s scheduled play, members interested in

running for a Board position shall indicate so on their Monday night score sheet. All members have

the option to present information to the statistician regarding their qualifications and/or reasons

for seeking a Board position. The information will then be passed on to membership via Table Talk

with a maximum of seventy-five words. All nominations of league members will be confirmed by

the Board prior to the ballot phase.

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4.4 TERMS OF OFFICE - An officer’s term of office is for 2 seasons. A newly elected officer will

assume office immediately following the West Coast Challenge and will be required, under the

direction of the retiring member to assist in planning for play-off matches, the Awards Dinner and

the West Coast Challenge.

4.5 NEWLY CREATED BOARD POSITIONS - All newly created positions to the Board of Officers

shall be eligible for candidacy and election at the next regularly scheduled Mid-Season’s Captains’

meeting an election of the Board of Officers would take place. If the newly elected Board of Officers,

at their first scheduled Board meeting, should determine a need for the newly created position to be

filled, then it may temporarily appoint a person to the position until the league members can vote

on the candidates.

4.6 ELECTIONS - All officers of the Board of Officers shall be elected by office. The election of such

offices shall be by the staggering of elections. To wit: the Spring Season shall have the election of the

Vice President, Statistician and Secretary. The Fall Season shall have the election of the President,

Treasurer and Community Relations Officer.

At the end of the nomination process, the Secretary shall notify all nominees of their nomination to

gain their consent. If any person has been nominated for more than one office, the Secretary shall

notify such person of all nominations to gain their consent as well as to gain their desires for which

they desire to be elected to. No person shall be placed on the ballot for more than one office per

election cycle.

4.7 BALLOTS - If more than one person is nominated for the same Board position, individual ballots

will be distributed to each team member prior to the mid-season captains meeting. All team

members present who have played at least 1 game prior to ballot issuance can cast a vote for one

person in each office. Completed ballots will be put in the provided envelope and sealed. Members

having voted will print and sign the front of the envelope. Ballot envelopes will be opened and

tabulated at the Mid-season Captains meeting supervised by a non- board member representative

from each division chosen at random at the meeting. Candidates with a majority of votes are

elected.

4.8 TIE VOTES - Ties shall be broken by a vote of the team captains.

4.9 BOARD POSITIONS - Prior to the start of each season, each current Board Member leaving will

provide detail accounting of the position to the newly elected Board member.

4.10 OFFICERS - The officers of the SDPL shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer,

Statistician and Community Relations Officer. No person may hold more than one office at a time.

Officers shall have the following respective duties.

4.11 GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICERS - Shall include but not be limited to the

following:

• Meeting at least once per month at a time and place set by the Board and made known to the

SDPL membership.

• Ensure enforcement of SDPL bylaws, match policy and rules by taking appropriate action

against teams or individuals who violate Bylaws, Match Policy and Rules or anyone whose

conduct is deemed detrimental to the SDPL. Ensure proper planning and coordination of the

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SDPL’s special events, regular season, playoffs, tournaments and the SDPL’s participation in

the West Coast Challenge.

• Attend at least 75% of the total Board meetings during the season or obtain the Board’s

concurrence of any absences.

• Must have an e-mail address and phone (either cell phone or residential phone). Must be a

current member of the league.

• Appoint, by majority, Board Members at Large.
• Publish a player’s handbook each year containing Bylaws, Match Policy and Rules. League

Histories or other information are a Board’s option.

• Participate as referees at West Coast Challenges, when needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Board.

4.11.1 PRESIDENT:

• Shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the SDPL, responsible for conducting meetings,

coordination of all functions of the Board and implementation of SDPL policy.

• Accept responsibility for the duties assigned to any other Board member, which that

member is unable or unwilling to perform.

• Act as ex-officio member of all committees.
• Shall be responsible for communication with and management of the SDPL website and

Webmaster.

4.11.2 VICE PRESIDENT:

• Shall in the absence or disability of the President, perform all duties of the President.
• Chair the Rules Committee and call a meeting once a month or as often as may be required

by the Board, notifying the league 2 weeks prior to the meeting (via Table Talk).

• Shall chair all special events committees.
• Shall resolve any disputes that appear on the score sheets within two weeks or submit them

to the Board for resolution.

• Examine all potential sponsor bars (prior to the start of the season) and report to the Board

any deficiencies which might disqualify them from league play, such as rips, being un-level or

not having at least 2 sides free of obstruction for use of a full size cue stick.

• Plan and coordinate all special event tournaments, playoffs and West Coast Challenge

matches.

4.11.3 SECRETARY:

• Shall record and keep the minutes of all Board, Captains and Rules Committee Meetings.
• Maintain correspondence with all other cities in regards to the West Coast Challenge.
• Responsible for mailing letters of reprimand.
• Maintain copies of all SDPL forms and paperwork.
• Shall notify all captains, via email or phone, at least one day in advance of all Rules

Committee and Captains meetings. Notify captains at least one week in advance of all special

events.

• Shall proofread the handbook prior to printing and publish the Table Talk.
• Shall maintain an on-going record of all league member’s phone numbers and mailing

addresses.

• Shall collect all league paperwork including, standings, Table Talks, minutes, financial

reports and score sheets from the appropriate officers and store safely until turned over to

the historical society.

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• Maintain copies and update the website each season with Perpetual League Histories and In

Memoriam.

4.11.4 TREASURER:

• Shall be responsible for SDPL bookkeeping and banking functions.
• Provide a budget for each season’s activities.
• Deposit all moneys collected within 3 days of receipt and furnish documentation of same

upon demand.

• Demand and keep proper documentation of all expenditures according to accepted

accounting procedures.

• Prepare financial statement at the beginning of the season and at the Mid-Season Captain’s

meeting.

• Shall be required by a majority vote of the Board for any expenditure over $50.00 and shall

be cosignatory with at least 1 other officer on all SDPL accounts.

• Shall be responsible for the management of the SDPL P.O. Box, including renewals, keys, etc.
• Shall be responsible for making (or causing to be made) all reports required to maintain the SDPL

non-profit status, including but not limited to the CA secretary of State (SoS), Franchise Tax

Board (FTB) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as well as maintain the records to support the

filings.

4.11.5 STATISTICIAN:

• Shall be responsible for all entries of league standings which shall include, but not be limited

to: team standings, team rosters and Top 20 list.

• Shall make updates to Bylaws, Match Policy, Rules and Histories. Certifying and retaining the

original copies of these Bylaws as shall be amended.

• Shall maintain “user friendly” instructions for the performance of the Statistician’s job duties

pertaining to the league standing sheets and shall do the typesetting for the handbook.

• Shall also review the score sheets for disputes and forfeits ensuring that the original score

sheet (White Copy) is filed properly.

• Will account for the money received with each score sheet, turn over said monies and the

yellow copy of the score sheet to the Treasurer and shall advise the Vice President of any

disputes that appear on the back of any score sheet.

4.11.6 COMMUNITY RELATIONS:

• Shall be responsible for maintaining an ongoing contact with local publications, providing

them with league statistics and upcoming event information.

• Shall assist Statistician in procurement of ads for the handbook and other league

publications as needed.

• Shall be responsible for coordination of all Gay and Lesbian Pride events.
• Shall be responsible for distribution of all league posters and flyers.
• Shall chair the Charity committee and share the responsibility of procuring items for the

Broomstick Tournament.

• Shall perform other duties as assigned by the Board.
• Shall be responsible for maintaining an ongoing contact list of current league sponsors. List

should include owner, manager or league liaison, sponsor address, sponsor phone number,

and sponsor contact email.

• Shall be responsible for overseeing all social media.

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• Shall be responsible for mailing Sponsor invitations to Awards Banquet and correspondence
  
  pertaining to the Charity Tournament.

4.11.7 BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE:

• Shall be an appointed position whose responsibilities will vary from season to season.
• General responsibilities will include but not be limited to, assistance in special events,

playoffs and the West Coast Challenge.

• Term will be one season and may be reappointed each new season by the Board.
• This is a non-voting position.

4.11.8 WEB MASTER: Appointed and removed by majority vote of the Board. Responsibilities

include, but not limited to:

• Maintaining a user friendly Web Site.
• Making changes and updates when instructed by President or appointed Board members.

Maintain a back-up of SDPL website information.

• Compensation shall be set by Board.
• This is a non-voting position.

4.12 RIGHTS OF OFFICERS - All rights granted to the Board by these Bylaws may be revoked at any

time by 2/3 vote of the team captains. The Board has the right to interpret Bylaws and grant

exception when exception is just and for the benefit of the league.

4.13 OFFICE VACANCIES - Should any vacancy occur during an officer’s term, the SDPL Board shall

appoint someone to fill the vacant position. If a current elected member of the Board fills the

vacancy, they will finish the term of their new office. If a new member is appointed to the Board to

fill the position, they must be re-elected at the next Mid-Season Captains meeting or be replaced

immediately by the newly elected member.

4.14 PRESIDENTIAL RESIGNATION - In the case of a President resigning and a Vice President who

is unable to take over the responsibilities, the Board, by majority vote, may appoint a replacement.

An election will be held at the next fall Mid-Season Captains meeting.

4.15 REMOVAL OF OFFICERS - An officer may be removed from office at any time, with or without

cause, by a 2/3 vote of the total number of team captains, failure to attend at least 75% of total

Board meetings, failure to carry out the responsibilities of their office or by a simple majority of the

Board.

5.0 MEETINGS

5.1 GENERAL - All meetings of the SDPL are open to the membership. There will be an agenda for

each meeting. In the interest of order and assuring the accomplishment of items set forth on the

agenda, the chair has the right to limit discussion on all matters. Notwithstanding, the chair will

make every attempt to hear any matter, which an SDPL member wishes to address.

5.2 MEETING RULES - Meetings shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order as long as they are

not in conflict with these Bylaws.

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5.3 CAPTAIN’S MEETINGS - Without exception, attendance is mandatory for each team captain or

their designated representative. Only team captains or their designated representative are eligible

to vote. All business affecting SDPL Bylaws, Match Policy, Rules and elections are voted upon at

these meetings. Meetings are open to all members of the SDPL and notice of such meetings shall be

made available at the start of each season.

5.4 RULES COMMITTEE MEETINGS (RCM) – Shall be chaired by the Vice President with Secretary

in attendance. President shall intercede if either cannot attend. Open to all current members of the

SDPL, with each member attending who is eligible to vote. All business affecting changes, additions

or deletions to SDPL Bylaws, Match Policy & Procedures or Rules must first come before a

scheduled Rules Committee meeting. All motions passed by a simple majority at committee will

then be brought before the Board for voting. No motion affecting SDPL Bylaws, Match Policy &

Procedures or Rules shall be brought before the captains without first being brought before and

passed by the Rules Committee and then the Board. Notice of all meetings must be made available

to the membership at least two weeks prior to the date of the meeting. Members who cannot attend

the meetings are welcome to present any new ideas in writing to the Vice President or Secretary

prior to any RCM meeting.

5.5 BOARD MEETINGS - All Board meetings are open to the membership, with only elected or

appointed elective Board members eligible to vote. All motions coming out of any Rules Committee

must be voted upon and passed by a majority vote of the Board. All business affecting SDPL policy,

expenditures of money, playoff scheme, divisional format and WCC plans are made at these

meetings. Non-scheduled Board meetings (when necessary) may be called following the notification

of all Board members.

5.5.1 BOARD E-VOTES – In such cases where a SDPL business matter of urgent, necessary or

required procedure is called for, the President may call for an E-vote to resolve such matters.

President shall notify the Secretary of motion. Secretary will issue e-mail and follow-up on Board

replies. Majority vote of the complete Board required to pass. Board will be notified of Pass/Fail

status and a final e-mail will be issued with complete results. The secretary shall archive all E-vote

emails for retention.

5.6 QUORUM - Simple majority of team captains will constitute a quorum at any Captain’s meeting.

No quorum is necessary at a Rules Committee meeting. At least four (4) voting Board members

must be present at a Board meeting. No business shall be considered at any meeting at which a

quorum is not present.

6.0 CHANGES TO BYLAWS, MATCH POLICY, RULES & HISTORIES

6.1 PROCEDURE - All additions, deletions or changes to current SDPL By Laws, Match Policy and

Play and Rules, (that directly alter the intent or purpose of existing language), must first be passed

by a majority vote of league members attending the Rules Committee Meeting , followed by a

majority vote of the Board, followed by a 2/3 vote at the Captains Meeting, All changes to By Laws,

Match Policy and Rules take effect the following season and will be updated on the web site and

noted in Table Talk. The Board by majority vote may have change(s) become effective immediately or

at a date set by the Board sooner than the following season so long as the change(s) do not directly affect

activity in the current season. Any motion passed at a Rules Committee meeting but voted down by

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the Board may still be presented for a vote at the Mid-Season Captains meeting so long as the Board

is notified in writing prior to that meeting.

6.2 HISTORY CHANGES - All additions, changes or deletions to league histories must be approved

by unanimous vote of the Board.

6.3 HANDBOOKS – Any changes and / or updates to rules used by the SDPL will take affect the

following season. Any such modifications to the rules will be posted on the website, and will be

included in the next printing of the rule book.

7.0 PLAYOFFS

7.1 GENERAL - At the end of each regular season, the SDPL will hold playoffs to determine the top

team. In addition, the playoffs and regularly scheduled tournaments will be used to determine our

representatives to the West Coast Challenge.

7.2 ELIGIBILITY - Players wishing to participate in the team playoffs must have played at least 25%

of the games possible for any one player on the team.

7.3 FORMAT - The top four teams in each division will qualify for team playoffs. Any tie breakers

will be done as per Bylaw rule 7.3.1 Ties. The lowest division will play the next lowest division on

the first regular night of play after the end of the season. All Play Off matches will be a race to 9.

Team Placement:

Teams will be placed in the bracket according to their individual finishes. The #4 team from the

lowest division will play the #1 team from the next higher division, #3 will play #2, #2 will play #3,

and #1 will play #4.

The higher division team will be the home team. Once placed no modifications to the bracket will be

permitted due to upsets. The winning team of the first playoff will then play the next higher

division, so on and so on until the top 3 teams have been determined.

7.3.1 TIES – At the end of the season Team and Individual ties for seeding will be decided by:

Team

• Total games won against each other.
• Total games won first round of the season.
• Coin toss between Captains or Co-captains.

Individuals

• Total games won against each other.
• Total games won over entire season.
• Coin toss between players.

8.0 TOURNAMENTS - The West Coast Challenge (WCC) is held once a year. Activities in the season

concluded immediately before the WCC (normally the Spring season) are the WCC qualifying events.

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8.1 CLEMENS CAPTAINS CLASSIC - Open to each team captain, or in their absence a co-captain,

who is present for the Captains meeting. This tournament, which traditionally follows the Mid-

season Captains meeting, is a single game, double elimination tournament with placement in the

bracket done by random draw following the placement of any necessary byes. Trophies awarded to

the top 3.

8.2 OPEN INDIVIDUAL’S TOURNAMENT - Open to all individuals who have played at least 50% of

all possible games. This tournament is a seeded, best of 5, double elimination competition and will

decide the league’s 1st through 6th WCC Open Individuals and alternates. Trophies awarded to the

top 6. $20.00 entry fee. Registration begins 30 minutes prior to start time.

8.3 WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT – Open to all players who play as women during the regular season

and have played at least 50% of all possible games. This tournament is a seeded, best of 5, double

elimination competition and will decide the league’s 1st through 4th WCC Women’s competition

individuals and alternates. Trophies awarded to the top 4. $20.00 entry fee. Registration begins 30

minutes prior to start time.

8.4 TOPS & BOTTOMS - Open to all league members who play at least 50% of all games possible to

date. This tournament is a best of 3, double elimination pairs event where the top seeded player

present from the highest division is paired with the lowest seeded player from the lowest division

present and so on. Placement of teams in the bracket is done by random draw following the

placement of any byes if necessary. Team players alternate shots and unlimited coaching is

permitted. Being a team event an even number of players are required. If an odd number of players

register and no one volunteers to withdraw , the player last to register will be disallowed.

Registration begins 30 minutes prior to play. A $20.00 entry fee per will be due at registration for

each player. Trophies awarded to the top 3 teams.

8.5 RISING STAR - It is a best of 5, double elimination tournament and will decide the league’s 7th

and 8th place WCC Open Individual with trophies awarded to the top 3.

Qualifications:

• All Players must have played 50% of all possible games to date.
• Open to all qualified lower division players.

Trophies awarded to the top 3. $20.00 entry fee. Registration begins 30 minutes prior to start time.

8.6 THE HEINEN CHARITY TOURNAMENT - Held once a year. Entry fee shall be determined by the

Charity Committee hosting the event. The proceeds from this tournament are donated to a Board

designated charity.

8.7 Las Vegas / Palm Springs Invitational - This tournament is to be held in one of the

participating cities, using WCC rules of play. Qualifying and travel expenses will be determined on a

tournament to tournament basis by the current Board.

9.0 AWARDS

9.1 GENERAL - Divisional trophies will be awarded to the top 3 teams in each division and the top 3

individuals in each division. The top 3 individuals from each division will be determined from the

Page 14

end of season standings of the Top 20 individuals who have played at least 50% of all games

possible. League trophies will be awarded to the top 3 teams in the league. The last place team in

each division will receive a bottle of champagne. In the event of a tie, see rule 7.3.1 for determining

tie breaker.

9.2 CERTIFICATES

9.2.1 TR’s / 4&0’s – Table Runs or TRs are defined as a player legally pocketing all possible object

balls in their first inning. 4&0s are defined as a player winning 4 games in a team match. Forfeits do

not count toward 4&0 certificates. Those individuals in each division having the most

table runs and 4&0’s, including ties, will receive a certificate.

9.2.2 Steve Holt Endurance Award – Players who play all possible match games in a season will

receive a certificate for their participation. All forfeits will count as games played.

9.3 MULTIPLE AWARDS - In the event that a player qualifies for multiple awards in a single season,

the Board will issue the awards based on the player’s option listed below.

Player Options:

1. Receive a single award with a single plate listing all combined accomplishments for that

season; or

2. Receive a Perpetual Individual 12” x 15” Plaque containing league logo, season joined the

league and space for 14 1” x 5’ metal plates. If this option is chosen, members will receive a

single plate each season, until their plaque is full, listing their accomplishments for that

season to affix to their plaque. Members will be eligible to receive a new plaque once their

plaque is full. Any upgrades or extra costs are the responsibility of the player.

9.4 TOURNAMENT AWARDS - Trophies will be awarded to the top three teams in the play-offs, the

first place individual for the Charity Tournament, the top 3 individuals in the Clemens Captains

Classic, the top eight finishers in the Individual's, the top four finishers in the Women's, the top 3

teams in the Tops & Bottoms Tournament and top 3 individuals in the Rising Star Tournament.

9.5 PERPETUAL TROPHIES - The team perpetual trophy will be displayed at the Sponsoring Bar

where the team played. Individual trophies shall be displayed at the Sponsoring Bar where the

individual currently plays. Tops & Bottoms trophy will be seasonally split between Sponsoring Bars

where the individuals currently play. The Board may decide to display these trophies at another

location for safekeeping.

9.6 CELEBRATED ACHIEVEMENTS

9.6.1 SAN DIEGO HALL OF FAME AWARD - The SDPL Hall of Fame Awards are an

acknowledgment for members of our league who have had success in Team playoffs, Open

Individuals, Women's competition and all other qualified league tournaments as well as for loyal

members for their many years of participation. A perpetual display case shall hold the name plates

of both Gold plate and Silver plate recipients and will be displayed every 5 seasons beginning at our

75th season Awards banquet. Every 5 seasons the President shall appoint a SDHF committee who

Page 15

shall compile statistics and provide eligible names for each category. Any qualified player that may

be overlooked shall be inducted at the next designated Awards Banquet.

Gold Plate: For achievement in SDPL team playoff and SDPL qualifying tournaments. Members

accumulating a total of 25 points shall be inducted into the SDPL Hall of Fame. Points awarded as

follows: 2 points for every first place finish in any SDPL qualifying tournament except for team. 1

point for every 1st place team finish and every other trophy position in SDPL qualifying

competitions. Inductees shall receive a gold name plate in the perpetual display case.

Silver Plate - For loyal members of our League who have participated in 40 or more seasons.

Recipients shall get a silver name plate in the perpetual display case.

9.6.2 WEST COAST CHALLENGE HALL OF FAME AWARD - Any member inducted to the WCC Hall

of Fame must have received a total of 20 points to qualify:

• 1 Point will be awarded for any Team Championship.
• 2 points for every 1st Place finish in Individuals, Women’s competition or Hi/Lo.
• 1 point will be awarded for any 2 - 8 Individual's finish or 2 - 4 Women’s finish.
• 1 point for every WCC appearance as a Player, Referee or Board member.
• 2 additional points will be given to any Board member/Referee who acts a Tournament

Director during a WCC.

All qualifying members are voted upon with 2/3 vote of entire Board in order to be inducted with

preference given to those individuals whose accomplishments surpass those of other qualified

individuals. A bio write-up of WCC SD inductees will be provided by the Board for review and

approval by the player before it is printed in the WCC SD program.

9.6.2.1 WEST COAST CHALLENGE HALL OF FAME TROPHY - per WCC standing policy, all WCC

Hall of Fame trophies must be issued with the oval 8” PDU Pool award with the specific wording of:

"West Coast Challenge (#)/San Diego (Date) / Hall of Fame/ Player’s Name"

9.6.3 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - Awarded to those league members whose service,

leadership and contributions as a Board member have proven to be invaluable to the league in a

manner above and beyond the call of duty. At a President's request, a 3 person committee shall be

appointed by the Board. The committee shall include previous or current Board members providing

they are not a nominee. The committee shall provide a list of 3 nominees and their qualifications to

the Board. Qualifications for the Distinguished Service Award shall include a minimum of 10

seasons as a voting Board member plus additional participation such as Member at Large,

Committee Chairs and other notable contributions. The Board shall vote by secret ballot for one

nominee. If a nominee receives 2/3 (4) votes, he/she will receive the Distinguished Service Award.

Only one DSA may be awarded per season.

9.7 SPECIAL SERVICE AWARD - Selected by majority vote of the Board and presented to those

individuals, sponsors or businesses that have provided a cumulative service to the league.

9.8 PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS - Selected by the President optionally as a thank you to individuals,

sponsors or businesses who have provided contributions of time and effort for the betterment of

the league.

Page 16

9.9 WALKER AWARD - Certificate awarded to those individuals who accomplish both a 4&0 and 4

Table runs on a single night of play. (See rule 9.2.1 for definitions of a Table Run and 4&0)

10.0 WEST COAST CHALLENGE (WCC)

10.1 GENERAL - The SDPL will be a participant in the WCC, funding city registration fees, travel and

expenses for the Board, any necessary referees, top Team (6 players), top 8 Open Individuals, top 4

individuals from the Women’s Competition and each seasons winning Tops & Bottoms team. When

required, the SDPL will fund expenses for San Diego to host the West Coast Challenge. All players,

referees and Board members will be required to attend both opening and closing ceremonies and

be present during all scheduled match times. Early releases must be approved by the SDPL Vice

President or the SDPL WCC Coordinator. The penalty for not fulfilling your obligations as a San

Diego representative is suspension from the West Coast Challenge and special event tournaments

for 1 season the player is actively playing.

The WCC qualifying season will be the season leading up to the next WCC.

10.1.1 SHARE OF COST - The Board may impose a share of cost for all WCC participants to help

cover expenses and housing in an amount to be determined by the Board. Members must be made

aware of any such fees prior to the start of WCC qualifying tournaments.

Participants will be responsible for their own transportation expenses for LA, LB and SD events.

10.2 SAN FRANCISCO

10.2.1 For the purposes of paragraph 10.2, “participant” is defined as any member of SDPL

attending the WCC in any official capacity, whether playing or not.

10.2.2 When the West Coast Challenge is hosted in San Francisco, each San Diego participant shall

have the options of either 1. Arranging their own travel, or 2. Accepting the flight tickets provided

by the SDPL Board.

10.2.3 These options shall be communicated to the Board by each participant prior to the purchase

of airline tickets by the Board. In the absence of such communication, the Board will assume the

second option for the participant in question.

10.2.4 For those choosing the first option: The Board shall reimburse that participant their actual

cost, but not to exceed the cost of a ticket as provided to those who chose the second option. All

Participants seeking reimbursement must provide receipts to the board.

10.2.5 For those choosing the second option: In the event of a cancellation by the participant for

any reason, the participant shall be responsible for returning to the SDPL the cost of the ticket, and

any fees imposed upon and paid for by the Board consequent to the cancellation.

10.3 RULES - Billiard Congress of America (BCA) rules are used in West Coast Challenge play.

Double elimination team & individual format.

11.0 UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

Page 17

11.1 PROCEDURES - The Board will, upon its finding of such conduct, discipline any player by the

following progressive actions:

• For the first infraction, a letter of reprimand will be written to the individual in question and

their sponsoring bar.

• For the second infraction, a letter of reprimand will be written to the individual in question

as well as their sponsoring bar and they will forfeit all of the player’s games during the

match in which the incident took place.

• For the third infraction, they will be expelled from the SDPL.

12.0 APPROVED TOURNAMENT BRACKETS

12.1A SEEDED 16 TEAM SINGLE ELIMINATION BRACKET

12.1B 16 PLAYER DOUBLE ELIMINATION TOURNAMENT BRACKET

12.1C 32 PLAYER DOUBLE ELIMINATION TOURNAMENT BRACKET

12.1D 64 PLAYER DOUBLE ELIMINATION TOURNAMENT BRACKET

Page 18

 

GLOSSARY OF BILLIARD TERMS

From the 'Billiard Congress of America Official Rules and Records Book.'

ANGLED. (Snooker, pocket games) When the corner of a pocket prevents a player shooting the cue ball directly at an object ball. (See corner-hooked)

ANGLE SHOT. (Pocket games) A shot that requires the cue ball to drive the object ball other than straight ahead. (See cut shot)

APEX OF TRIANGLE. (Pocket games) The position in the grouping of object balls that is on the foot spot; the front ball position of the pyramid or rack.

AROUND THE TABLE. (Carom games) Describes shots in which the cue ball contacts three or more cushions, usually including the two short cushions, in an effort to score.

BALANCE POINT. (General) The point on a cue at which it would remain level if held by a single support, usually about 18" from the butt end of the cue.

BALL IN HAND. (Pocket games) See cue ball in hand. 

BALL ON. (Snooker) A colored (non-red) ball a player intends to legally pocket; same as on ball.

BANK SHOT. (Pocket games) A shot in which the object ball is driven to one or more cushions before it is pocketed; incidental contact as a ball moves along and adjacent to a cushion does not qualify as a cushion or bank. It is not an obvious shot and must be called in games requiring called shots. (See kick shot)

BAULK. (Snooker) The intervening space between the bottom cushion and the Baulk-line.

BAULK-LINE. (Snooker) A straight line drawn 29" from the face of the bottom cushion and parallel to it.

BED OF TABLE. (General) The flat, cloth-covered surface of the table within the cushions; the playing area exclusive of the cushions.

BILLIARD. (Carom games) A count or score; a successful shot. 

BLIND DRAW. (General) A method used to determine pairings or bracketing of players in tournaments that assures totally random placement or pairing of contestants.

BOTTLE. (Pocket games) A specially shaped leather or plastic container used in various games. (Also called the shake bottle)

BOTTOM CUSHION. (Snooker) The cushion located at the head of a snooker table--closest to the D.

BREAK. (Pocket games) See open break and opening break shot.

BREAK. (Snooker) Total scored in one inning.

BREAKING VIOLATION. (Pocket games) A violation of special rules which apply only to the opening break shot of certain games. Unless specified in individual game rules, a breaking violation is not a foul.

BRIDGE. (General) The hand configuration that holds and guides the shaft-end of the cue during play. (See mechanical bridge)

BURST. (Forty-One Pocket Billiards) Scoring a total of more than 41 points.

BUTT OF CUE. (General) The larger end of a cue, opposite the tip. On a two-piece cue, the butt extends up to the joint.

CALL SHOT. (Pocket games) Requirement that a player designate, in advance of each shot, the ball to be made and the pocket into which it will be made. In calling the shot, it is NEVER necessary to indicate details such as the number of cushions, banks, kisses, caroms, etc. The rules of "Bank Pool" are an exception.

CALLED BALL. (Pocket games) The ball the player has designated to be pocketed on a shot.

CALLED POCKET. (Pocket games) The pocket which a player has designated a ball to be shot.

CAROM. (General) To bounce off or glance off an object ball or cushion; a shot in which the cue ball bounces off one ball into another is termed a carom.

CAROM, SCORING. (General) Contact by the cue ball with object balls, the bottle or cushions in such a way that a legal score is made, according to specific game rules.

CENTER SPOT. (General) The exact center point of a table's playing surface.

CHALK. (General) A dry, slightly abrasive substance that is applied to the cue tip to help assure a non-slip contact between the cue tip and the cue ball.

CHUCK NURSE. (Straight Rail Billiards) A scoring technique used when one object ball rests against the cushion and the second object ball is to one side of the first ball and away from the cushion. Cue ball strikes the object ball at the cushion so that the cue ball just comes back to touch (carom) the second object ball without moving it out of position for a similar subsequent shot.

CLEAN BANK. (Bank Pocket Billiards) A shot in which the object ball being played does not touch any other object balls (i.e., no kisses, no combinations).

CLEAR BALL. (Carom games) The all-white ball, devoid of any markings, used in carom games. (See spot ball)

COMBINATION. (Pocket games) Shot in which the cue ball first strikes a ball other than the one to be pocketed, with the ball initially contacted in turn striking one or more other balls in an effort to score.

COMBINATION ON. (Pocket games) Two or more balls positioned in such a way that a ball can be driven into a called pocket with a combination shot; often called a "dead combo" or an "on combo."

COMBINATION ON. (Snooker) See plant.

CONTACT POINT. (General) The precise point of contact between the cue ball and the object ball when the cue ball strikes the object ball.

CORNER-HOOKED. (Pocket games, Snooker) When the corner of a pocket prevents shooting the cue ball in a straight path directly to an object ball, the cue ball is corner-hooked; same as angled.

COUNT. (General) A score; a successful shot.

COUNT, THE. (General) The running score at any point during a player's inning in games where numerous points are scored successively.

CROSS CORNER. (Pocket games) Term used to describe a bank shot that will rebound from a cushion and into a corner pocket.

CROSS SIDE. (Pocket games) Term used to describe a bank shot that will rebound from a cushion and into a side pocket. 

CROSS TABLE SHOT. (Carom games) Shot in which scoring is accomplished by driving the cue ball across the table between the long cushion.

CROTCH. (Carom games) The corner area of a carom table in straight-rail billiards in which a player may score no more than three successive counts with the balls before driving at least one object ball out of the area. The four crotches are defined as those spaces within crotch lines drawn between first diamond on the end rail to the second diamond on the side rail.

CRUTCH. (General) Slang term for the mechanical bridge.

CUE. (General) Tapered device, usually wooden, used to strike the cue ball to execute carom or pocket billiard shots. (Also called cue stick)

CUE BALL. (General) The white, unnumbered ball that is always struck by the cue during play.

CUE BALL IN HAND. (Pocket games) Cue ball may be put into play anywhere on the playing surface.

CUE BALL IN HAND BEHIND THE HEAD STRING. (Pocket games) Cue ball may be put into play anywhere between the head string and the cushion on the head end of the table not in contact with an object ball.

CUE BALL IN HAND WITHIN THE D. (Snooker) See cue ball in hand within the half-circle.

CUE BALL IN HAND WITHIN THE HALF-CIRCLE. (Snooker) The cue ball is in hand within the half-circle when it has entered a pocket or has been forced off the table. The base of the cue ball may be placed anywhere within or on the half-circle. It remains in hand until the player strikes the cue ball with the tip of the cue or a foul is committed while the ball is on the table.

CUE TIP. (General) A piece of specially processed leather or other fibrous or pliable material attached to the shaft end of the cue that contacts the cue ball when a shot is executed.

CUSHION. (General) The cloth-covered rubber which borders the inside of the rails on carom and pocket billiard tables; together the cushions form the outer perimeter of the basic playing surface. 

CUT SHOT. (Pocket games) A shot in which the cue ball contacts the object ball to one side or the other of full center, thus driving it in a direction other than that of the initial cue ball path.

D. (Snooker) An area, semi-circular in shape, with the straight side formed by the line drawn between the spot for the yellow and the spot for the green measured 29 inches out from the face of the bottom cushion (sometimes referred to as the baulk line) and the semi-circle is determined by the size of the table being used.

DEAD BALL. (Pocket games) A cue ball stroked in such a manner that virtually all of the speed and/or spin of the cue ball is transferred to the object ball, the cue ball retaining very little or none after contact.

DEAD BALL SHOT. (Pocket games) A shot in which a dead ball stroke is employed; often called a kill shot, because of the relative lack of cue ball motion after contact with the object ball. 

DEAD COMBINATION. (Pocket games) See combination on. 

DIAMONDS. (General) Inlays or markings on the table rails that are used as reference or target points. The diamonds are essential for the utilization of numerous mathematical systems employed by carom and pocket games players.

DRAW SHOT. (General) A shot in which the cue ball is struck below center, and the resulting back spin causes the cue ball to return towards the player after full contact with an object ball. 

DROP POCKETS. (Pocket games) Type of pockets with no automatic return of the balls to the foot end of the table; balls must be removed manually.

DOUBLE ELIMINATION. (General) A tournament format in which a player is not eliminated until he has sustained two match losses. 

DOUBLE HIT. (General) A shot on which the cue ball is struck twice by the cue tip on the same stroke.

DOUBLE ROUND ROBIN. (General) A tournament format in which each contestant in a field plays each of the other players twice. 

ENGLISH. (General) Side spin applied to the cue ball by striking it off center; used to alter the natural roll of the cue ball and/or the object ball.

FEATHER SHOT. (General) A shot in which the cue ball barely touches or grazes the object ball; an extremely thin cut.

FERRULE. (General) A piece of protective material (usually plastic, horn or metal) at the end of the cue shaft, onto which the cue tip is attached.

FOLLOW SHOT. (General) A shot in which the cue ball is struck above center and the resulting forward spin causes the cue ball to roll forward after contact with an object ball.

FOLLOW-THROUGH. (General) The movement of the cue after contact with the cue ball through the area previously occupied by the cue ball.

FOOT OF TABLE. (General) The end of a carom or pocket billiard table at which the balls are racked or positioned at the start of a game.

FOOT SPOT. (General) The point on the foot end of the table where imaginary lines drawn between the center diamonds of the short rails and the second diamonds of the long rails intersect.

FOOT STRING. (General) A line on the foot end of the table between the second diamonds of the long rails, passing through the foot spot. The foot string is never drawn on the table, and has no use in play.

FORCE. (General) The power applied on the stroke to the cue ball, which may result in distortion and altering of natural angles and action of the ball.

FORCE DRAW. (General) A shot with extreme follow, usually directly at and then "through" an object ball.

FORCE FOLLOW. (General) A follow shot with extreme overspin applied to the cue ball, with the term generally used in reference to shots in which the cue ball is shot directly at and then "through" an object ball, with a pronounced hesitation or stop before the overspin propels the cue ball forward in the general direction of the stroke. 

FOUL. (General) An infraction of the rules of play, as defined in either the general or the specific game rules. (Not all rule infractions are fouls.) Fouls result in a penalty, also dependent on specific game rules.

FOUL STROKE. (General) A stroke on which a foul takes place.

FRAME. (Snooker) The equivalent of one game in snooker. 

FREE BALL. (Snooker) After a foul, if the cue ball is snookered, the referee shall state "Free Ball." If the non-offending player takes the next stroke he may nominate any ball as on, and for this stroke, such ball shall be regarded as, and acquire the value of, the ball on.

FREE BREAK. (Pocket games) An opening break shot in which a wide spread of the object balls may be achieved without penalty or risk. Free breaks are detailed in individual games rules.

FROZEN. (General) A ball touching another ball or cushion. 

FULL BALL. (General) Contact of the cue ball with an object ball at a contact point on a line bisecting the centers of the cue ball and object ball.

GAME. The course of play that starts when the referee has finished racking the balls, and ends at the conclusion of a legal shot which pockets the last required ball. In 14.1 continuous, a game lasts several racks.

GAME BALL. (General) The ball which, if pocketed legally, would produce victory in a game.

GATHER SHOT. (Carom games) A shot on which appropriate technique and speed are employed to drive one or more balls away from the other(s) in such a manner that when the stroke is complete, the balls have come back together closely enough to present a comparatively easy scoring opportunity for the next shot.

GRIP. (General) The manner in which the butt of the cue is held in the hand.

GULLY TABLE. (Pocket games) A table with pockets and a return system that delivers the balls as they are pocketed to a collection bin on the foot end of the table.

HANDICAPPING. (General) Modifications in the scoring and/or rules of games to enable players of differing abilities to compete on more even terms.

HEAD OF TABLE. (General) The end of a carom or pocket billiard table from which the opening break is performed; the end normally marked with the manufacturer's nameplate.

HEAD SPOT. (General) The point on the head of the table where imaginary lines drawn between the center diamonds of the short rails and the second diamonds of the long rails intersect.

HEAD STRING. (General) A line on the head end of the table between the second diamonds of the long rails, passing through the head spot.

HICKEY. (Snooker Golf) Any foul.

HIGH RUN. (14.1 Continuous) During a specified segment of play, the greatest number of balls scored in one turn (inning) at the table.

HOLD. (General) English which stops the cue ball from continuing the course of natural roll it would take after having been driven in a certain direction.

INNING. (General) A turn at the table by a player, and which may last for several racks in some pocket games.

IN HAND. (Pocket games) See cue ball in hand.

IN HAND BEHIND THE HEAD STRING. (Pocket games) See cue ball in hand behind the head string.

IN-OFF. (Snooker) A losing hazard; that is, when the cue ball enters a pocket. The snooker equivalent of a scratch.

IN THE RACK. (14.1 Continuous) A ball that would interfere with the reracking of the object balls in 14.1 Continuous that extend past one rack.

JAW. (Pocket games) The slanted part of the cushion that is cut at an angle to form the opening from the bed of the table into the pocket.

JAWED BALL. (Pocket games) Generally refers to a ball that fails to drop because it bounces back and forth against the jaws of a pocket.

JOINT. (General) On two-piece cues, the screw-and-thread device, approximately midway in the cue, that permits it to be broken down into two separate sections.

JUMP SHOT. (General) A shot in which the cue ball or object ball is caused to rise off the bed of the table.

JUMPED BALL. (General) A ball that has left and remained off the playing surface as the result of a stroke; a ball that is stroked in a manner which causes it to jump over another ball.

KEY BALL. (14.1 Continuous) The 14th ball of each rack; called the key ball because it is so critical in obtaining position for the all important first (or break) shot of each reracking of the balls.

KICK SHOT. (General) A shot in which the cue ball banks off a cushion(s) prior to making contact with an object ball or scoring. 

KILL SHOT. (Pocket games) See dead ball shot.

KISS. (General) Contact between balls. (See kiss shot)

KISS SHOT. (Pocket games) A shot in which more than one contact with object balls is made by the cue ball; for example, the cue ball might kiss from one object ball into another to score the latter ball. Shots in which object balls carom off one or more other object balls to be pocketed. (Also called carom shots)

KISS-OUT. (General) Accidental contact between balls that causes a shot to fail.

KITCHEN. (Pocket games) A slang term used to describe the area of the table between the head string and the cushion on the head end of the table. (Also called the area above the head string)

LAG. (Carom games) A shot in which the cue ball is shot three or more cushions before contacting the object balls.

LAG FOR BREAK. (General) Procedure used to determine starting player of game. Each player shoots a ball from behind the head string to the foot cushion, attempting to return the ball as closely as possible to the head cushion.

LEAVE. (Pocket games) The position of the balls after a player's shot.

LONG. (General) Usually refers to a ball which, due to english and speed, travels a path with wider angles than those that are standard for such a ball if struck with natural english and moderate speed.

LONG STRING. (Pocket games) A line drawn from the center of the foot cushion to the foot spot (and beyond if necessary) on which balls are spotted.

LOSING HAZARD. (Snooker) Occurs when the cue ball is pocketed after contact with an object ball.

LOT. (General) Procedures used, not involving billiard skills, to determine starting player or order of play. Common methods used are flipping coins, drawing straws, drawing cards, or drawing peas or pills.

MASSE SHOT. (General) A shot in which extreme english is applied to the cue ball by elevating the cue butt at an angle with the bed of the table of anywhere between 30 and 90 degrees. The cue ball usually takes a curved path, with more curve resulting from increasing cue stick elevation.

MATCH. The course of play that starts when the players are ready to lag and ends when the deciding game ends.

MECHANICAL BRIDGE. (General) A grooved device mounted on a handle providing support for the shaft of the cue during shots difficult to reach with normal bridge hand. Also called a crutch or rake.

MISCUE. (General) A stroke which results in the cue tip contact with cue ball being faulty. Usually the cue tip slides off the cue ball without full transmission of the desired stroke. The stroke usually results i a sharp sound and discoloration of the tip and/or the cue ball at the point of contact.

MISS. (General Failure to execute a completed shot.

MISS. (Snooker) The call the referee makes in snooker if it is judged the player has not endeavored to the best of his ability to hit the ball on.

NATURAL. (Carom games) A shot with only natural angle and stroke required for successful execution; a simple or easily visualized, and accomplished, scoring opportunity.

NATURAL ENGLISH. (General) Moderate sidespin applied to the cue ball that favors the direction of the cue ball path, giving the cue ball a natural roll and a bit more speed than a center hit.

NATURAL ROLL. (General) Movement of the cue ball with english applied.

NIP DRAW. (General) A short, sharp stroke, employed when a normal draw stroke would result in a foul due to drawing the cue ball back into the cue tip.

NURSES. (Carom games) Techniques whereby the balls are kept close to the cushions and each other, creating a succession of relatively easy scoring opportunities.

OBJECT BALLS. (General) The balls other than the cue ball on a shot.

OBJECT BALL, THE. (Pocket games) The particular object ball being played on a shot.

ON BALL. (Snooker) See ball on.

OPEN BREAK. (Pocket games) The requirement in certain games that a player must drive a minimum of four object balls out of the rack to the cushions in order for the shot to be legal.

OPENING BREAK SHOT. (General) The first shot of a game. 

PEAS. (Pocket games) Small plastic or wooden balls numbered 1 through 15 or 16, use defined in specific games rules. (Called pills.)

PILLS. (Pocket games) See peas.

PLANT. (Snooker) A position of two or more red balls that allows a ball to be driven into a pocket with a combination shot.

POSITION. (General) The placement of the cue ball on each shot relative to the next planned shot. Also called shape. 

POT. (Snooker) The pocketing of an object ball.

POWDER. (General) Talc or other fine, powdery substance used to facilitate free, easy movement of the cue shaft through the bridge.

POWER DRAW SHOT. (General) Extreme draw applied to the cue ball. (See force draw.)

PUSH SHOT. (General) A shot in which the cue tip maintains contact with the cue ball beyond the split second allowed for a normal and legally stroked shot.

PYRAMID. (Pocket games) Positioning of the object balls in a triangular grouping (with the front apex ball on the foot spot), used to begin many pocket billiard games.

PYRAMID SPOT. (Snooker) The same as the pink spot. The spot is marked midway between the center spot and the face of the top cushion.

RACE. (General) Pre-determined number of games necessary to win a match or set of games. For example, a match that is the best 11 out of 21 games is called a race to 11, and ends when one player has won 11 games.

RACK. The triangular equipment used for gathering the balls into the formation required by the game being played.

RAILS. (General) The top surface of the table, not covered by cloth, from which the cushions protrude toward the playing surface. The head and foot rails are the short rails on those ends of the table; the right and left rails are the long rails, dictated by standing at the head end of the table and facing the foot end.

RED BALL. (Carom games) The red-colored object ball. (Also the name of a particular 3-cushion billiard game.)

REST. (Snooker) The mechanical bridge.

REVERSE ENGLISH. (General) Sidespin applied to the cue ball, that favors the opposite direction of the natural cue ball path - i.e. inside english.

ROUND ROBIN. (General) A tournament format in which each contestant plays each of the other players once.

RUNNING ENGLISH. (General) Sidespin applied to the cue ball which causes it to rebound from an object ball or a cushion at a narrower angle and at a faster speed than it would if struck at the same speed and direction without english.

RUN. (General) The total of consecutive scores, points or counts made by a player in one inning. The term is also used to indicate the total number of full short-rack games won without a missed shot in a match or tournament.

SAFETY. (General) Defensive positioning of the balls so as to minimize the opponent's chances to score. (The nature and rules concerning safety play are decidedly different in specific games.) Player's inning ends after a safety play.

SCRATCH. (Carom games) To score a point largely by accident, due to an unanticipated kiss, unplanned time-shot, etc. 

SCRATCH. (Pocket games) The cue ball is going into a pocket on a stroke.

SEEDING. (General) Pre-determined initial pairings or advanced positioning of players in a field of tournament competition. 

SET. (General) Pre-determined number of games necessary to win a match.

SHAFT. (General) The thinner part of a cue, on which the cue tip is attached. On a two-piece cue, the shaft extends from the cue tip to the joint.

SHAKE BOTTLE. (Pocket games) See bottle.

SHOT. An action that begins at the instant the cue tip contacts the cue ball, and ends when all balls in play stop rolling and spinning.

SHOT CLOCK. (General) Any timing device used to gauge the time limit in which a player is allowed to play a shot. The timing device must have at least the functions of a stop watch: reset to zero, start, and stop. A simple wrist watch without timing functions is not sufficient.

SHORT. (General) Usually refers to a ball which, due to english and stroke, travels a path with narrower angles than those for a ball struck without english.

SHORT-RACK. (Pocket games) Games which utilize fewer than 15 countable object balls.

SINGLE ELIMINATION. (General) A tournament format in which a single loss eliminates a player from the competition.

SNAKE. (Carom games) A shot in which the use of english causes the cue ball to make three or more cushion contacts, though utilizing only two different cushions. Also called a double-the-rail shot.

SNOOKERED. (Snooker) The condition of incoming player's cue ball position when he cannot shoot in a straight line and contact all portions of an on ball directly facing the cue ball (because of balls not "on" that block the path.

SPLIT DOUBLE ELIMINATION. (General) A modification of the double elimination tournament format, in which the field is divided into sections, with one player emerging from each of the sections to compete for the championship, in a single showdown match for the championship.

SPLIT HIT. A shot in which it cannot be determined which object ball(s) the cue ball contacted first, due to the close proximity of the object balls.

SPOT. (General) The thin, circular piece of cloth or paper glued onto the cloth to indicate the spot locality (i.e.., head spot, center spot, foot spot); also an expression to describe a handicap. 

SPOT BALL. (Carom games) The white ball differentiated from the clear by on or more markings; usually spots, dots or circles. 

SPOT SHOT. (Pocket games) Player shoots a ball on the foot spot with the cue ball in hand behind the head string.

SPOTTING BALLS. (General) Replacing balls to the table in positions as dictated by specific game rules.

STANCE. (General The position of the body during shooting. 

STOP SHOT. (Pocket games) A shot in which the cue ball stops immediately upon striking the object ball.

STRIKER. (Snooker) The player who is about to shoot and has yet to complete his inning.

STROKE. (General) The movement of the cue as a shot is executed.

SUCCESSIVE FOULS. (Pocket games) Fouls made on consecutive strokes by the same player, also called consecutive fouls. 

TABLE IN POSITION. (General) Term used to indicate that the object balls remain unmoved following a shot.

THROW SHOT. (Pocket games) 1. A shot in which english alters the path of the object ball.
2. A combination shot of frozen or near frozen object balls in which to rubbing of the first ball across the second ball pulls the shot away from the line joining the centers of the two balls.

TIME SHOT. (General) A shot in which the cue ball (most often) moves another ball into a different position and then continues on to meet one of the moved balls for a score.

TOP CUSHION. (Snooker) The cushion located at the foot of a snooker table--closest to the black spot.

TRIANGLE. (Pocket games) The triangular device used to place the balls in position for the start of most games.

YELLOW BALL. (Carom games) In international competition the spot ball has been replaced by a yellow ball without any markings.