Rule# 1: Jamball is a Gentleman’s Game.

This does not refer to ones gender. This refers to the code of ethics and chivalry that all players must posses. If there are any disputes, always refer to Rule #1.

The object of the game is to use the cueball to hit the 8ball into a pocket before the 8ball stops moving.

  • You are only allowed to hit the 8ball when it is on the opposite side of the table from you.
  • The first team to get 21 points wins
  • You must win by 2
  • Teams rotate 1 spot to the left when a team gets to 12 points. This only happens once per game.

All players must shake each others non-throwing hand before the game starts and after the game ends.

Setup:

Choose your Jamball partner Stand diagonally across the table from your partner Make sure at least 1 ball is in each corner pocket Choose what team serves

To Serve:

Place the 8ball on the axis of the 2nd long-side sight marker and the middle short-side marker on the opposite side of the table from the person who is serving The person who serves gets 2 opportunities to try to hit the 8ball with the cueball. For the serve to count, the balls must make direct contact; no bouncing off a wall first. At least 1 ball must touch a wall after the contact happens. If a person gets 2 strikes, the other team gets a point and the serve If a legal serve is completed, the game is on

Gameplay:

After a legal serve, it is the other teams responsibility to hit the 8ball before it stops moving. -You can only hit the 8ball when it is on the opposite half of the table from the person shooting. -You are allowed to pass your teammate the cueball -A team must continue shooting until they make contact or the 8ball stops -If the 8ball is struck, possession switches to the other team -The two teams go back and forth until a point or a penalty occurs

  • Players must stay behind the table while shooting.
  • Players do not have to stay behind the table when trying to reach for the cueball -If the cueball goes into a pocket during play, the game does not stop. Grab a ball out of any pocket and continue play.
    -When play has stopped, you may exchange the dummy ball for the original cueball.

*** If the cueball was legally released from a players hand while the 8ball was on the correct side of the table and the cueball misses the 8ball and crosses the half-court threshold, there is a chance the two balls will continue to bounce around the table and finally make contact on the same side of the table as the player who initially threw the cueball. If this occurs, it is considered a legal hit.

Scoring:

-If you hit the 8ball into a corner pocket, you get 1 point -If you hit the 8ball into a side pocket, you get 2 points.
-If the 8ball stops before you or your team mate can hit it, the other team gets a point. This is called a JAMBALL. -Whoever makes the point gets to serve -Players rotate 1 spot to the left when a team gets to 12 points. This only happens once per game.

Winning:

-The first team to get 21 points wins -You must win by 2

Penalties:

There are 2 types of penalties. A Shot penalty, and a Game penalty.

Shot Penalty:

  • An offsides hit. (when the 8ball is struck on the same side of the table and the person throwing)
  • touching the cueball when it is not your teams turn
  • if there are ever 2 striking balls on the table at the same time; this may happen if a cueball goes into a pocket and the teammates both grab a ball and put it on the table. Always communicate with your partner!
  • if a player moves the table to alter a shot

If a team commits a shot penalty, play immediately stops and you setup for a penalty shot. -Place the 8 ball on the axis of the 2 first sight markers diagonal to the person who is shooting. -You only get 1 penalty shot and it must hit directly without bouncing off walls first, just like a serve. -Once the 8ball is struck, game is in play. -If the penalty shot is not legal, the shooting team gets to reset for a serve.

Game Penalty:

  • If you touch the 8ball
  • If a ball goes off the table (if this happens to the same team twice they are disqualified)
  • If you attempt to “goal tend” at the corner pockets on your side ***

If someone commits a game penalty, the other team gets a point and the serve.

Goal tending is when you try to purposely get an offsides penalty when the other teams shot is about to go into a corner pocket. -You may goal tend only on the side pockets, not the corner pockets

Other issues that may arise:

  • “Reaching” is when you are shooting and your hand crosses the 3rd sight marker on your side. Reaching is not allowed but it is very hard to referee. If people are reaching you should always tell them and give them a few warnings. Reaching gives a player who is taller and has longer arms an unfair advantage. After a few warnings, the players may choose to make this a shot penalty.

  • Side pocket scoring can be tricky. Mathematically, it is very difficult to have a legal onside strike and get it into a side pocket without the 8ball bouncing off of at least 1 wall… However, players may encounter a situation where this happens.

If any issues arise, always remember Rule #1. Jamball is a gentlemans game.

Lets Jam!