| 1: Calling of Fouls It is the player’s responsibility to call fouls when they occur. If a player allows an opponent to continue play without calling the foul at the time of the infraction, then the player relinquishes the right to call the foul (assumed concession). If a player calls the foul and the opponent acknowledges the call and continues to play without having the foul verified by the tournament director or appointed referee, the tournament director may be summoned and may use any means necessary to determine if a foul call and/or foul occurred. The decision of the tournament director is final. | |
| 2: Score Keeping Players are responsible for registering their scores after each game and prior to the next break. If a player fails to register their score at any time during the match and attempts to register the score at a later time, the player and/or opponent reserves the right to have the tournament director resolve the score by any means necessary including, but not limited to, solicitation of others. The tournament director reserves the option of changing the score or allowing the score to stand. | |
| 3: Legal Jump Shot Definition The cue stick must be elevated and the ball must be struck at or above the centerline (the centerline is an imaginary line drawn through the center of the cue ball exactly parallel with the playing surface) with the chalked area of the cue stick tip only. | |
| 4: Split Hits If the cue ball strikes the object ball and a numbered ball at approximately the same instant, and it cannot be clearly determined which ball was struck first, the judgment favors the shooter. A split hit, when the numbered balls are struck at the same time is considered a good hit. | |
| 5: Two Numbered Balls Jawed in a Pocket If two balls are jawed in the facing of a pocket as the result of a legally struck shot and no numbered ball was pocketed, the tournament director shall decide if either or both of the numbered balls will be manually pocketed, or leave lie, contingent upon the position of the numbered balls over the pocket(over edge of slate in pocket). If the tournament director manually pockets a numbered ball or balls, the player shall remain at the table for another shot. If no legally pocketed or manually pocketed numbered ball is executed, the opponent shall receive the table as-is. | |
| 6: Explanation of Rules During a Match While observing and making a determination about a potential foul situation, the tournament director shall not assist any player with an explanation of any rule while at the table (during tournament play). The opponent may, at their option, declare to the tournament director that a rule explanation may be given to the player at the table. The tournament director shall not ask for such a declaration from the opponent. The player at the table may take a break, if available, to research the rule. The player may not take an extra break to research the rule. (Need explanation about breaks) | |
| 7: Tournament Director Observance If, during any match, the tournament director is requested to observe any potential foul situation, the decision of the tournament director is final. If the tournament director observes a foul situation while not at a table and a foul occurs, the player and the opponent are responsible for making foul calls. If a disagreement between the players occurs, the tournament director will use any means necessary to resolve the situation. If a player at table calls a foul as a result of spontaneous actions from spectators or others, then the decision of the tournament director may be to disallow the foul call by the player. The decision of the tournament director is final. | |
| 8: Warning for Slow Play: First Request to Implement the Shot ClockA player may request that the tournament director place an opponent on warning for slow play, and the tournament director may place a player on warning for slow play at any time deemed necessary (usually by observing excessively slow play). The player who makes the request must be in his or her inning at the table. If a second request from a player for slow play, or observance of slow play by the tournament director occurs, the director may impose the 45 second shot clock on both participants. A single verbal announcement by the tournament director when a player has fifteen seconds remaining to shoot (per shot attempt) will be issued. If the player does not shoot before the fifteen seconds have elapsed, a foul will result, giving the opponent a cue ball-in-hand. | |
| 9: Player Timeouts During a Match Any player may take up to a single ten minute legal timeout while at the start or during their inning at the table. An illegal timeout during the opponent’s inning allows the opponent to play unobserved, and if the opponent wins a game, he or she may continue to play unobserved. A second timeout by either opponent may result in a foul or loss of the game, with or without warning from the tournament director or referee. A legal timeout may be taken for the following reasons: restroom, illness, emergency, and any other reason considered valid by the tournament director. | |
| 10: Legal Player Equipment at the Table Players may bring up to three cues to the assigned table for the match. A player may not leave the assigned table for equipment, or have equipment brought to the assigned table during the match, unless agreed upon by the opponent. Players may acquire a house cue (from applicable wall rack and/or cue stand in the tournament area) for the purpose of breaking at any time. The cues may not be less than 40″ in overall length and the shaft size must not be exceed 16 mm at the tip. The tip must be leather or any product deemed suitable for play by the tournament director. There is no minimum or maximum weight for the cue; no maximum length; and no exclusion of material for the ferrule, shaft, or butt of the cue. Any material deemed unsuitable for play that may cause damage to the equipment may be excluded from play by the tournament director. | |
| 11: Five-Seconds Rule If a legally struck numbered ball is shot into a pocket and hangs motionless for more than five second and then falls into the pocket, it will be placed in its original position. If no other numbered ball is legally pocketed on the same shot, the incoming player will receive the table for his or her inning. | |
| 12: Ball Rebounds from a Pocket Numbered balls must remain in the pocket in order for the shot to be legal. If any numbered ball or the cue ball rebounds from the pocket and comes to rest on the playing surface, it is not considered pocketed. | |
| 13: Clearing Pockets to Prevent Rebounds It is the sole responsibility of the player to clear the pockets of any numbered balls that may cause a rebound. If any ball rebounds from a pocket due to too many balls occupying the pocket, the ball is not considered pocketed. | |
| 14: Playing in Multiple Events Any player may have the opportunity to participate in any “open” tournament, contingent upon the approval of the tournament director per event. Players may not participate in events where they do not meet the specific gender criteria of the tournament (i.e., men may not participate in a tournament designated as a women’s event; likewise, women may not participate in a tournament designated as a men’s event). In the tournament director’s judgment, if the dual participation may cause the event or events to become too lengthy, cause scheduling conflicts or unsuitable due to equipment constraints, then no allowance will be made for dual participation. In the event a player participates in more than one event at a time, the tournament director is responsible for arranging any special scheduling necessary. |
Texas Express General Tournament Rules