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A. Tournament Format

Remarks: League Tie-Breaker Criteria

If players are tied on points at the end of the Round Robin phase, rankings will be determined by the following order:

1. Frame Difference: (Total frames won minus total frames lost).

2. Play-off Match: If the frame difference is also tied, a tie-breaker match (Best of 9, Race to 5) will be arranged.

B.  Official Rules of Chinese 8-Ball (Heyball)

I. Opening and Group Selection

• Lagging: Both players shoot a ball simultaneously from the headstring to the top cushion. The player whose ball returns closest to the bottom cushion wins the choice of break.

• The Break:

  • The cue ball must be placed behind the headstring.

  • Legal Break: At least one ball must be pocketed, or at least 4 object balls must strike a cushion.

  • 8-Ball on the Break: In most official formats, pocketing the 8-ball on the break is not an automatic win. The 8-ball is spotted (placed back on the table), and the breaker continues their turn.

• Determining Groups: The table remains "Open" after the break. Groups—Solids (1-7) or Stripes (9-15)—are only determined once a player legally pockets a called ball from a specific group.

II. Shooting and "Call Pocket" Rules

• Standard Object Balls: These do not need to be called. As long as you legally strike your own group ball first, any ball entering any pocket is considered valid, and the player continues their turn.

• The 8-Ball (Black 8): You must call the pocket. Players must clearly indicate the intended pocket to the opponent or referee before the shot.

• Instant Loss: If the 8-ball enters a pocket other than the one designated, or if the 8-ball is pocketed before a player has cleared their entire group, that player loses the frame immediately.

• Safety Shot: If a player declares a "Safety" before shooting, their turn ends after the shot, even if they pocket a ball.

III. Fouls

If any of the following fouls occur, the opponent receives Ball-in-Hand (the cue ball can be placed anywhere on the table):

1. Scratch: The cue ball is pocketed or driven off the table.

2. No Contact: The cue ball fails to hit any object ball.

3. Wrong Ball: The cue ball strikes the opponent's ball or the 8-ball first (before the player's own group is cleared).

4. No Cushion: After the cue ball strikes an object ball, at least one ball (the cue ball or any object ball) must strike a cushion, unless a ball is pocketed.

5. Illegal Contact: Touching any ball with the body, clothing, or any part of the cue other than the tip.

6. Illegal Jump Shot: A jump shot must be performed by striking the upper half of the cue ball. "Scooping" the ball to make it jump is a foul.

IV. Loss of Game (Match Penalties)

A player automatically loses the frame if:

• They commit a foul while pocketing the 8-ball (e.g., scratching the cue ball or touching a ball with their body).

• They pocket their last group ball and the 8-ball in the same shot.

• The 8-ball is knocked off the table (except during the break).

• The 8-ball enters a pocket other than the one designated.

Reference:  [2025年喬氏大師賽標準規則](https://alison-chang.com/rules-of-heyball/) 及 [WPA 中式台球規範](https://joybilliards.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/World-Chinese-8-Ball-Masters-Rules-of-Play-Chinese-8-Ball.pdf)