Format and Rules
I. Format
- The game on Tour is 9-ball. All events are scheduled for two days, and each event guarantees $500 in added money. When possible, the event will be completed in one day.
2. Tour membership is free! The entry fee for each event is $35, and includes a $10 administration fee.
3. A mandatory players meeting is held on-site, Saturdays, at 11:00 a.m. It includes player registration, new player orientation, question and answer session, and the tournament draw. Matches are called at 11:30am.
4. Events are played on 7’ and 8’ tables. Game, format, and equipment type for each event are indicated on the respective flyer.
5. Matches are a race to 7 on the winners’ side, and a race to 5 on the one-loss side. Each Tour event is true, double elimination, including the finals.
6. On event weekends, rooms open and free practice starts at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, and 11:00am on Sunday. On day two, matches begin at 12:00pm.
7. The goal is to have match play conclude each day, by 9:00pm. Due to any number of unforeseen circumstances, matches may run late.
8. Each Sunday of the Tour event weekend, there will be a $10 entry fee, second chance 9-ball tournament, beginning at 12:00 p.m.
9. Each Tour event pays out 1/4 of the field.
II. Tournament Rules
- Game. The game on Tour is 9-ball, played with pool balls numbered one through nine, pocketed in rotation. The first player to legally pocket the 9-ball wins. A player does not have to call the shot, or the pocket, as long as the player legally pockets the ball(s).
- Break. Flip a coin to determine who breaks first. Players will alternate the break. Players must break with the cue ball completely behind the head string, striking the head ball (one-ball), first. After the break, if the 9-ball is pocketed in either of the bottom two corner pockets, it is spotted and play resumes. If the 9-ball is legally pocketed anywhere else on the table, it is considered a “win”. The player breaking must pocket at least one object ball to continue her inning at the table. The minimum required for a legal break, is driving any four balls to a rail. Soft breaking is not permitted.
- Racking. Players will rack their own rack. The one-ball is racked on the spot, with the 9-ball in the middle, and the two-ball in the back. The other balls must be placed in random order. No pattern racking.
- Roll Out/Push Out. Following the break, a player may be unable to strike the lowest numbered ball, first, as it may be hidden by impeding balls. This player may elect to “roll out” or “push out”. The minimum requirement for a roll out shot is the tip of the cue must make contact with the cue ball. When a player is going to roll out, the opponent must be notified. Following the roll out, the incoming player has the option to pass it back. At that point, the person who broke must take the shot.
- Fouls. A cue ball foul will result in ball-in-hand for the incoming player.
a. Cue ball scratches
b. Jumping balls off the table
c. Pushing through the cue ball
d. Disturbing the cue ball in any way
e. Moving two or more object balls in play
f. A moved ball impedes the path of the cue ball
g. Failing to strike the lowest numbered ball, first
h. Failing to drive one ball to a rail, following execution
i. Moving an impeding object ball; when a player is cuing over one or more balls, and the player touches one of those balls, before, during, or after the shot, it is a foul
- Spotting the 9-Ball. The only ball, ever spotted, is the 9-ball. When the 9-ball is pocketed during the commission of a foul, or roll out shot, the opposing player will replace the 9-ball on the spot, and continue play.
- Replacing a Moved Ball. If a player inadvertently moves one object ball, and it is not deemed a foul, their opponent has the option to replace the ball (where they think it was), or leave it where it is.
- Three Fouls. Three consecutive fouls is a loss of game. A player must verbally notify her opponent when they have committed two, consecutive fouls, in order for the third foul to be counted.
- Calling a Referee. If a player believes her opponent may foul during the execution of a shot, she must notify her opponent, and call a referee to the table; official referee, tournament director, or a person both players agree on. Their call will stand. If no one is called, the shot will go to the shooter.
- Scoring. Players are responsible for keeping their own score, in the scoring form provided by the Tour; coins, score keepers, or score cards. Games or sessions will not be replayed. The score kept by each player at the table, stands.
- Forfeits. If a player is called more than three times to her match table, she will be forfeited. Players may not leave the building during match play unless they check in at the tournament desk, first.
- Grace Period. A fifteen minute grace period is only in effect for designated match times.
- Slow Play. A warning will be issued to any player who is intentionally, or otherwise, holding up play. Penalties will be assessed at the discretion of the tournament director. A thirty-second shot-clock may be implemented, at any point, during the event
- Breaks. Players are allowed one five minute break per match, to be taken in between games. Players may take their break at the same time, but it will be counted as a break for each player.
- Table Assignments. Players are required to play on their assigned match table. If a player is assigned to the live stream table, she must play on that table, or forfeit her match.
III. Player Etiquette
- Players must remain seated in their chair while their opponent is at the table.
- Players must use the equipment provided by the Tour.
- When permitted, smoking is allowed during matches, however, cigarettes or smoking devices are not allowed at the pool table. Players may also drink alcoholic beverages during their matches.
- Alcohol, tobacco, or smoking products should never be visible to viewers, when playing on the live stream table.
- Ear buds, set on low volume, worn for the purpose of listening to music, are acceptable during match play. Players must be able to hear their opponents.
- Unsportsmanlike or disorderly conduct, of any kind, will not be tolerated. See Code of Conduct.
- Cell phones must be turned off, or switched to “silent”, and stowed away during match play.
- The match area is for players only, and is off-limits to spectators, friends, and significant others.
- Players shall not speak disparagingly about the Tour, its members, or affiliates, at any time, in any forum, whether on-site, in public, or social media. See Code of Conduct.
IV. Tour Dress
A nice, neat, clean appearance, is mandatory. Please dress in a manner that is respectful, not only to yourself, but to the Tour, its venues, and sponsors.
Preferred: Collared shirts, blue jeans, tennis shoes
Not Acceptable: Flip-flops, house shoes; holes, tears, rips in clothing, by design, or otherwise; bra straps, excessive cleavage, or midriff showing
V. Code of Conduct
Players must not make, or cause to be made, any statements (whether verbal or in writing), or take or cause others to take action which may, in the opinion of the tournament director, bring that member, the Gulf Coast Tour, its agents, or the sport of billiards, into disrepute. Players shall not address criticism of fellow players, tournament personnel, equipment, sponsors, or venue, or any other Tour agents, to fellow members, the public, press, or social media. If a player wishes to issue a complaint, they must address a tournament director, in a discreet and respectable manner. The official tournament director has the sole discretion, to determine whether a violation has taken place, and assess penalties. The following violations warrant immediate attention:
- Any use of illegal drugs
- Acts of aggression
- Public drunkenness
- Unsportsmanlike conduct (includes intentional sharking)
- Abusive or profane language
- Abuse of equipment
- Public disagreements
- Non-compliance with dress code
- Disparaging remarks with respect to the Tour or its agents
VI. Media
The Tour will secure an official photographer for each event, and provide live streaming, free to at-home viewers, whenever possible. Cameras with interchangeable lenses, other than those of the official photographer, will not be permitted at any event. Video recording and live streaming are not permitted without the expressed consent of the Tour.
VII. Compliance
By remitting an entry fee, the player agrees to abide by all of the aforementioned format and rules listed on this page, and the release of their media rights for Tour advertising and marketing purposes, as stated in sections I through VI.