"Nine Ball Tag" Game Rules
Tag Ball® Variation of Traditional Nine Ball Game Using Bobble Ball
Equipment Required: 1 Bobble, standard set of billiard balls (cue ball and 9 consecutively numbered billiard balls, cue stick(s), 1 pool table.
Set Up: The set up is the same as in the traditional game of Nine Ball except that Bobble Ball is placed on any position along the head string by the incoming player who will break. The breaking player should place Bobble Ball in 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 the nine consecutively numbered billiard balls. 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. (Refer to "Tag Ball" Game Rules link to the left for more information on a legal tag). The player who legally tags Bobble Ball after the last consecutively numbered ball has been pocketed wins the game. This final tag requires a player to bank against a minimum of two rails instead of just one rail.
Winning: When a player has legally pocketed the nine ball, he must complete one final tag which requires the player to bank the cue ball against a minimum of two rails and tag Bobble Ball. The first player legally completing this final tag after the nine ball has been pocketed wins the game. (If the player pocketing the nine ball does not successfully complete the final tag requirement and no billiard balls remain on the table, then players alternate turns. The first player to legally complete the final tag requirement by tagging Bobble Ball wins the game). (Note: Prior to beginning the game, players should agree on the number of banked rails required in order to win the game if it will vary from the standard two rails. Inexperienced players may choose one rail while more experienced players may choose three or more rails. Players should choose a number which provides a challenge for their experience level).
Rules: All official rules of the game of Nine 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. After the cue ball contacts a rail, the tag is considered successful if the cue ball tags, or contacts, Bobble Ball. It does not matter if the cue ball touches any other balls in the tagging attempt as long as the cue ball has contacted a rail first and has successfully tagged 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 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.
* A player may shoot at the next consecutively numbered billiard ball once he has successfully tagged Bobble Ball with the cue ball. All official rules of Nine Ball apply during the player's shot attempt at this point. (Refer to "Tag Ball Flow Chart" in the Tag Ball Games Rules link to the left). Bobble Ball must ALWAYS be tagged by the cue ball prior to a player attempting to pocket the next consecutively numbered billiard ball.
* If a player fails to tag Bobble Ball during the tagging attempt, the player loses his turn and the incoming player has an opportunitiy to tag Bobble Ball with the cue ball. Failing to successfully tag Bobble Ball always results in loss of turn.
* If a player pockets a billiard ball in the attempt to tag Bobble Ball, the pocketed billiard ball is not respotted, the player loses his turn, and the incoming player has ball in hand.
* 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, 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 the cue ball in his attempt to tag Bobble Ball, the player loses his turn ad the incoming player has ball in hand with the cue ball.
* The following rules apply to a player who is attempting to win the game by legally tagging Bobble Ball:
If Bobble Ball is pocketed, but a legal final tag by the cue ball was made, the player wins 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 spotted 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 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.
* When a player has pocketed the nine ball on the break or by means of a legal combination shot, he may immediately begin attempting to win the game by legally tagging Bobble Ball even though lower consecurtively numbered billiard balls are still on the table. (Reminder: Banking against a minimum of two rails, or other predetermined number, before the tag is required to win the game). If this first player fails in his winning attempt to legally tag Bobble Ball, the incoming second player must successfully tag Bobble Ball by banking the cue ball against a minimum of one rail. If this second player successfully tags Bobble Ball, then he must pocket the lowest consecutively numbered ball on the table. (If the second player does not successfully tag Bobble Ball, the incoming first player may once again attempt to win the game by legally tagging Bobble Ball by banking the cue ball against a minimum of two rails first). The game continues in this manner until all billiard balls on the table have been pocketed by the second player. The second player may attempt to win the game by legally tagging Bobble Ball ONLY AFTER all billiard balls have been pocketed.
* If a player jumps Bobble Ball or a billiard ball off of the table, he has comitted 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.co before use.
Bobble Ball is not intended to be used in any other manner than has been set forth in these instructions.
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Patent Pending