NAPA 10-Ball Rules

Below is a summary of the official NAPA (North American Pool Shooters Association) rules for 10-ball pool. Always refer to the official rulebook for the most up-to-date details.

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Game Objective

Ten-ball (10-ball) is played with ten object balls numbered one through ten and the cue ball. The balls are played in ascending numerical order and the lowest numbered ball still on the table must be contacted by the cue ball in order to establish a legal hit. The first shooter to pocket the 10-ball on a legal shot (including the break) is considered the winner of the rack. Only one ball may be called on each shot, except on the break shot where no ball may be called.

The Lag, Racking, Order of Break

THE LAG

A lag must be performed in order to determine who breaks first in a match between two players. Winner of the lag must break. Coin flipping instead of lagging is not allowed at anytime.

To perform the lag, both shooters are to simultaneously shoot a ball from behind the head string to the foot cushion and back toward the head cushion. The shooter's ball that comes to rest closest to the head cushion is the winner of the lag. It does not matter if a shooter's ball touches a side rail or the head cushion; the ball closest to the head cushion wins the lag.

• If a shooter, during their lag, lags their ball into any pocket or off of the table it is a loss of the lag.
• If both shooters lag their balls into a pocket then both shooters are to re-lag.
• If, during the lag, both shooter's balls make contact with one another both shooters are to re-lag.
• If, during the lag, one of the shooter's balls travels passed the head cushion, and resides inside the jaws of one of the pockets closest to the head cushion without falling into the pocket, both shooters are to re-lag.
• If, during the lag, a shooter's ball makes contact with any foreign object such as a stick, human being, or rack it is a loss of the lag.
• Lagging simultaneously is required. If, during the lag, a shooter waits to perform the lag until after the other shooter's lagged ball reaches the far rail, it is a loss of the lag for the shooter who delayed their lag.

Who Racks the Balls?

In a NAPA standard racking league the loser of the lag always racks the balls. Loser of each game must also rack the balls. In a Rack Your Own league the winner of the lag and the winner of each game must rack their own balls.

ORDER OF THE BREAK

The winner of each game must break in the next game.

Racking the Balls

The object balls (1-ball through 10-ball) are to be racked as tightly as possible in a triangular shape, with the 1-ball at the apex of the triangle and on the foot spot, the 10-ball in the middle of the triangle, the 2-ball and the 3-ball in the back left-hand and right-hand corners (which sides the 2-ball and 3-ball are placed on does not matter). All other balls should be placed in random order. The base of the rack should be parallel to the foot cushion. In a standard racking league if, after the balls have been racked, all balls in the rack are not in contact with one another, also known as a "loose rack", the shooter who is to break may request a re-rack. At which time the opposing shooter is to re-rack the balls so that all balls in the rack are properly contacting one another, also known as a "tight rack". In a Rack Your Own league if, after the balls have been racked, all balls in the rack are not in contact with one another, also known as a "loose rack", the opponent who is not on the break may request a re-rack. At which time the shooter is to re-rack the balls so that all balls in the rack are properly contacting one another, also known as a "tight rack".

NO MORE THAN THREE RE-RACKS

No more than three re-racks should be allowed. If after three re-racks the balls are still not in a tight rack, a referee, a NAPA official or NAPA league operator should be summoned to perform the re-rack as best as possible and that re-rack must be the final re-rack. The NAPA league operator may assign a 3rd party to perform the final re-rack if needed.

TIME ALLOTMENT

If a player takes longer than 90 seconds to rack the balls for their opponent (or themselves in a "rack your own league"), an initial warning must be issued. Any violation of the 90 second rule afterwards is a concession of game.

The Break Shot

• The breaker must break with the
  base
  of the cue ball behind the head string.
• The breaker must strike the 1-ball first and either pocket a ball or cause at least four (4) numbered balls to make contact with a rail. If a shooter fails to meet either of these two requirements the balls are to be re-racked and the incoming shooter takes over the break with cue ball in hand behind the head string.
  • EXCEPTION: If four (4) numbered balls do not make contact with a rail, and yet, the cue ball is pocketed or driven off the table, it is a foul. The incoming shooter has cue ball in hand anywhere on the table and takes their turn from where the balls lie after the foul.
• If the breaking shooter miscues and the cue ball does
  not
  make contact with the racked balls or the breaking shooter interferes with the cue ball at any time before making contact with the racked balls, it is a foul. The incoming shooter takes over the break with cue ball in hand behind the head string.
• If on the break shot, the breaker causes an object ball to jump off the table, it is a foul and the incoming shooter has cue ball in hand anywhere on the table. The object ball is not placed on the spot (exception: if the object ball is the 10 ball, it is spotted).
• If, on the break shot, the shooter causes the cue ball to pocket (aka scratch), it is a foul and the incoming shooter has cue ball in hand anywhere on the table. Any object balls that pocket are not to be re-spotted (exception: if the 10-ball is pocketed, it is to be placed on the spot).
• Pocketing the 10-ball on the break is a win for the breaker assuming all requirements of a legal break shot are met. If the 10-ball is made on the break and the breaker scratches, the 10-ball spots and it is cue ball in hand any where on the table.

If the shooter performing the break shot, during their stroke, completely misses and makes no contact with the cue-ball (basically a "swing and a miss"), this is not considered a foul and the shooter may try the break shot again.

NOTE: Any foul on the break disqualifies the breaker from getting the Rackless Match Bonus

Continuing Play & Push Out

If the breaker pockets one or more balls on a legal break, he continues to shoot until he misses, fouls, or wins the game. If the shooter misses or fouls, the other shooter begins an inning and shoots until missing, committing a foul, or winning. The game ends when the 10-ball is pocketed on a legal shot, the game is forfeited for an infraction of the rules, or a shooter’s opponent forfeits the game.

PUSH OUT

The shooter who shoots the shot immediately after a legal break, may play a push out in an attempt to move the cue ball into a better position for the option that follows. On a push out, the cue ball is not required to contact any object ball nor any cushion, however, all other foul rules still apply. The shooter must announce his intention of playing a push out before the shot, or the shot is considered to be a normal shot. Any ball pocketed on a push out does not count and remains pocketed except for the 10-ball. Following a legal push out, the incoming shooter is permitted to shoot from that position or return the shot to the shooter that pushed out. A push out is not considered to be a foul as long as no other rule is violated. An illegal push out is penalized according to the type of foul committed. After a shooter scratches on the break shot, the incoming shooter cannot play a push out.

NOTE: If you play push out, and your opponent chooses to gives the shot back to you, and then you run out, you do NOT get a bonus for a break and out.

NOTE: Should the shooter who is playing the push out, pocket the 10-ball, the 10-ball is to be spotted, the cue ball remains in the current position on the table, and the incoming shooter is permitted to shoot from that position or return the shot to the shooter that pushed out.

THREE FOUL RULE

There is no three foul rule in NAPA 10-ball.

CUE BALL IN HAND

When the cue ball is in hand, the shooter may place the cue ball anywhere on the bed of the table, except in contact with another ball. When placing the cue ball in position, the shooter is allowed to adjust the placement of the cue ball with the cue stick. This rule also applies to break shots when the shooter has ball in hand behind the headstring.

• Allowing the cue ball, any part of the body, or any other object to come into contact with another ball on the bed of the table while the cue ball is in hand, is a foul. The incoming shooter has cue ball in hand.
• Touching the cue ball with the ferrule of the cue stick is NOT a foul.
• Touching the cue ball with the tip of the cue is considered a legal stroke.

CALLING YOUR POCKET

Shooters are required to call their intended ball and pocket when shooting on every shot with the exception of the break. Calling a pocket is done by either, verbally announcing the designated pocket to the opponent, or any shooter on the opposing team, or by pointing at the pocket with your hand or pool cue. The shooter does not need to call number of cushions, banks, kisses, or caroms. If the shooter pockets the 10-ball in the designated pocket, the game is a win.

Only one ball may be called on each shot. You can not call two balls at once.

Illegally Pocketed Balls:

• Pocketing a called ball in an unintended pocket. The incoming shooter has "Play Option"
• An unintended ball is pocketed while not legally pocketing the called object ball. The incoming shooter has "Play Option".
• Accidentally pocketing the 10-ball while not pocketing the called object ball. The 10-ball spots and the incoming shooter has "Play Option".

Play Option:

If you illegally pocket any ball, your opponent has the option to:

• Accept the table as is.
• Require you to shoot again.

NOTE: If the 10-ball is accidentally pocketed while the shooter legally pockets their called object ball the 10-ball is to be spotted and the shooter continues to shoot without losing their turn. All other illegally pocketed balls remain pocketed.

NOTE: If a called ball goes in the called pocket, and another object ball falls in any pocket, the current player continues to shoot. If the "other" ball is the 10-ball, spot the 10-ball and the player continues their turn at the table.

SCRATCHING ON THE 10-BALL

• If a shooter is shooting at the 10-ball, fails to pocket the 10-ball and scratches, it is a foul.
• If a shooter is shooting at the 10-ball, pockets the 10-ball and scratches, it is a foul and the 10-ball is to be placed on the spot.

END OF GAME

The game ends at the end of a legal shot which pockets the 10-ball, or when a shooter forfeits the game.

More Information

For full official rules, visit the NAPA Rulebook.