"Eight Ball Tag" Game Rules
Tag Ball® Variation of Traditional Eight Ball Game Using Bobble Ball®
Equipment Required: 1 Bobble Ball, standard set of billiard balls, cue stick(s), 1 pool table
Set Up: The set up is the same as in the traditional game of Eight Ball except that Bobble Ball is place on any position along the head string by the incoming player who will break. The breaking player should place Bobble Ball is a position on the head string in such a manner that it will not interfere with his body motion when executing the break.
Object: To legally tag Bobble Ball prior to the successful pocketing of each one of a player's seven billiard balls of a designated grouping (ie. solids or stripes). In order for a tag to be considered legal, a player must tag Bobble Ball with the cue ball by banking the cue ball against a minimum of one rail first before contacting Bobble Ball. After the cue ball contacts a rail, the tag is considered successful if the cue ball tags, or contacts, Bobble Ball. (Refer to "Tag Ball Game Rules" link to the left for more information on a legal tag). The player pocketing his group of billiard balls first must then complete a final tag which requires the player to bank against a minimum of two rails instead of just one rail. Once this final tag has been successfully achieved, the player must then legally pocket the eight ball in order to win the game.
Winning: When a player has pocketed all seven of the billiard balls of his grouping, he must complete one final tag which requires the player to bank the cue ball against a minimum of two rails instead of just one rail. If the player fails to tag Bobble Ball with the cue ball, he loses his turn and the incoming player begins his turn by attempting to successfully tag Bobble Ball with the cue ball. If the incoming player has also pocketed all billiard balls in his grouping, he must also complete this final tag requirement if he has not done so already. Once this final tag has been successfully achieved, the player may then attempt to legally pocket the eight ball in order to win the game. (Note: Prior to beginning the game, players should agree on the number of banked rails required to legally complete the final tag if it will vary from the standard two rails. Inexperienced players may choose one rail while more experience players may choose three or more rails. Players should choose a number which provides a challenge for their experience level).
GAME VARIATION: For more experienced players, require that the final tag be achieved prior to each attempt to legally pocket the eight ball. With this variation, players must complete the final tag and the pocketing of the eight ball in two consecutive shots during one turn.
Rules: All official rules of the game of Eight Ball apply when players are shooting at billiard balls. When players are attempting to "tag" Bobble Ball, the following variations from the official rules apply:
* A player must legally "tag," or contact Bobble Ball with the cue ball in order to earn the right to continue his turn and attempt to pocket a billiard ball on the table. Failure to legally tag Bobble Ball results in loss of turn.
* When attempting to tag Bobble Ball, a player is required to bank the cue ball against a minimum of one rail first before contacting Bobble Ball or any other billiard ball. After the cue ball contacts a rail, the tag is considered successful if the cue ball tags, or contacts, Bobble Ball. A player who does not contact the rail first with the cue ball during the tagging attempt has committed a foul resulting in loss of turn.
* A player may shoot at a billiard ball within his designated grouping once he has successfully tagged Bobble Ball with the cue ball. All official rules of Eight Ball apply during the player's shot attempt at this point. (Refer to "Tag Ball Flow Chart" in Tag Ball Game Rules). Bobble Ball must ALWAYS be tagged by the cue ball prior to a player attempting to pocket a billiard ball of his grouping.
* A player does not have to call his shot, method, or indicate details such as number of kicks, banks, kisses, or caroms when attempting to tag Bobble Ball.
* If a player fails to tag Bobble Ball during the tagging attempt, the player loses his turn and the incoming player has an opportunity to tag Bobble Ball with the cue ball. Failing to successfully tag Bobble Ball always results in loss of turn.
* If a player pockets his own billiard ball in the attempt to tag Bobble Ball, his pocketed billiard ball is spotted on the foot spot. If Bobble Ball was successfully tagged, the player's turn continues. If Bobble Ball was not successfully tagged, the player loses his turn.
* If a player pockets Bobble Ball during the tagging attempt, Bobble Ball is spotted on the foot spot. If the cue ball legally tagged Bobble Ball prior to Bobble Ball being pocketed, Bobble Ball is spotted and the player may continue his turn. If the cue ball did not legally tag Bobble Ball prior to Bobble Ball being pocketed, Bobble Ball is spotted and the player loses his turn.
* If a player pockets Bobble Ball during an attempt to pocket a billiard ball, Bobble Ball is spotted on the foot spot. If the player successfully pocketed the billiard ball, the player's turn continues. If the player did not successfully pocket the billiard ball, the player loses his turn.
* If a player pockets an opponent's billiard ball in the attempt to tag Bobble Ball, the opponent's billiard ball remains pocketed. If Bobble Ball was successfully tagged, the player's turn continues. If Bobble Ball was not successfully tagged, the player loses his turn.
* If a player pockets the cue ball in his attempt to tag Bobble Ball, the player loses his turn and the incoming player has ball in hand with the cue ball.
* If a player pockets the eight ball in his attempt to tag Bobble Ball, the eight ball is spotted on the foot spot, the player loses his turn, and the incoming player has ball in hand. (Note: If a player pockets the eight ball when attempting to pocket a billiard ball (after a legal tag has already been accomplished), the player loses and the game is over).
* The following rules apply to a player who has pocketed all billiard balls of his grouping and is attempting to complete the final tag requirement:
If Bobble Ball is pocketed, but a legal final tag by the cue ball was made, Bobble Ball is spotted on the foot spot and the player may attempt to legally pocket the eight ball in order to win the game.
If Bobble Ball is pocketed, but a legal final tag by the cue ball was not made, the player loses his turn, Bobble Ball is spoted on the foot spot, and the incoming player begins his turn by attempting to successfully tag Bobble Ball.
If the cue ball is pocketed after a legal final tag to Bobble Ball was made, the player loses his turn and the incoming player receives ball in hand with the cue ball. (Note: If a player pockets the cue ball when attempting to pocket the eight ball, the player loses and the game is over).
If the cue ball is pocketed, but a legal final tag by the cue ball to Bobble Ball was not made, the player loses his turn and the incoming player receives ball in hand with the cue ball. (Note: If a player pockets the cue ball when attempting to pocket the eight ball, the player loses and the game is over).
* If a player jumps Bobble Ball or a billiard ball off of the table, he has committed a foul which results in loss of turn and ball in hand for the incoming player. Players should never shoot the cue ball or any other ball directly at Bobble Ball.
WARNING
Bobble Ball is a safe product when used according to the enclosed instructions!
DO NOT SUBJECT BOBBLE BALL TO THE FOLLOWING BAD BOBBLE BALL BEHAVIOR:
Do not strike Bobble Ball directly with a cue stick.
Do not use Bobble Ball on a Ball Return or Coin Operated pool table.
Do not use a cue stick to strike another ball directly at Bobble Ball.
Do not throw Bobble Ball. Do not throw Bobble Ball against any hard surface.
Do not bounce Bobble Ball on the floor, table, or other surfaces.
Do not use Bobble Ball when damaged or chipped.
Do not strike Bobble Ball with excessive force which may cause it to leave the table in such a manner as to cause injury to anyone in the vicinity.
(NOTE: Bobble Ball is more likely to "fly-off" the table when stricken with force due to its shape).
Do not attempt to swallow or chew on Bobble Ball.
Do not misuse Bobble Ball such as standing on Bobble Ball, sitting on Bobble Ball, using Bobble Ball for non-intended uses.
Bobble Ball is not a suitable toy for children under 9 years of age and precautions must be made to insure that younger children only use Bobble Ball when supervised by an adult who is familiar with its use.
If you have any questions about the use of this product, please contact the distributor at Bobbleball.com before use.
Bobble Ball is not intended to be used in any other manner than has been set forth in these instructions.
©Copyright 2006 SOURCEnterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Patent Pending