Eight ball game rules conform to the rules set out by the WPA with a few changes dictated by Second Life:
- Called shots do not exist
- Target groups ( solids and stripes ) are determined by the balls pocketed on the first legal shot after the break. If a player pockets a solid ball, that player will be solids. If a player pockets a striped ball, that player will be stripes. If the player manages to pocket one of each type, the player will have the choice of which group to pick.
- Certain shots require the cue ball to first pass across the headstring before contacting a ball. In these cases, that restriction has been lifted. Instead, the cue is constrained to shoot forward.
Full Rules
1. Victory
-The game is won when the 8 ball is pocketed when it is a legal target
2. Loss
-The game is lost if the 8 ball is pocketed when it is not a legal target, except when breaking
-The game is lost if a foul is made when the 8 ball is pocketed
3. Legal Break
A break is legal if:
-At least four balls are driven into the rail during the break
-Or any ball is pocketed
Special conditions:
-If the 8 ball is pocketed during a legal break, the incoming player will have the option of accepting the position and spotting the 8 ball, or re-racking
-If a foul occurs on a legal break, it’s the next player’s turn, and that player will have the cue ball in hand behind the headstring
4. Illegal Break
If a break is not legal, as defined above, the incoming player will have the following options:
-Re-rack the balls and break
-Re-rack the balls and let the opposing player break
-Accept the position
If the position is accepted, but the cue ball was scratched, the incoming player will further have the cue ball in hand
5. Gameplay after the break
Groups will be chosen based on the balls pocketed during the first legal shot after the break. A player will remain at the table provided they:
-Pocket a ball of their group
-Do not commit a foul
6. Fouls
These are the fouls currently implemented in game:
-Pocket the cue ball
-No contact with the rail from either the cueball or an object ball after the cue ball first contacts and object fall
-Failure to first contact the player’s target group ( solids or stripes ) with the cue ball
7. Incoming Player
If the previous player’s turn ended due to a foul, the incoming player has the cue ball in hand.
8. Safeties
During any turn, except the break and when the 8 ball is the target ball, a player may declare a safety. A safety is a defensive shot. After declaring a safety, it will be the next player’s turn, even if the current player pockets a ball of his or her target group.