Planet Pool 9 Ball Tour Tournament Rules & Code of Conduct

The following rules are additional Planet Pool event rules, and are used in conjunction with the World Standardized Rules.

1.) RACK YOUR OWN
The winner of the previous game shall rack the balls for the next game. The non-breaking player may inspect the rack before the breaking player breaks the balls, and if dissatisfied with the way the balls have been racked, may ask his/her opponent to re-rack the balls. If both players cannot come to an agreement about the balls being racked correctly, the Tournament Director or Referee must be called to either inspect the rack, or rack the balls on behalf of the breaking player.

2.) CONCESSION OF THE 9-BALL
Under no circumstances may the non-player concede the 9-Ball, or any preceding ball. Concession of the game before the player in play has completed the game will result in the loss of that game, as well as the next. This rule is not open to negotiation between opponents, and any two players found to be allowing the concession of the 9-ball will both be disqualified from the tournament.

3.) TAKING BREAKS DURING MATCHES
Players are allowed to take no more than one break away from the table after the match has started, unless in the case of an emergency, or to call the tournament director to observe a shot/make a ruling. The break may not be longer than 10 minutes. Violation may result in loss of the match, depending a decision by the tournament director.

4.) SLOW PLAY
The Planet Pool Tour does not make use of a "shot clock." However, unnecessary time-wasting is un-sportsmanlike and any player deemed to be wasting time on purpose in order to unsettle their opponent, may be given a warning, and following that, a similar violation will result in loss of the match being played. Players who, by nature, play slowly, may be asked to speed up their game by the tournament director.

5.) KEEPING SCORE
It is each player's responsibility to register their own score immediately after each game and prior to the next break. Failure to do so, and an attempt to register the score later in the match, such as during the next game, entitles the opponent to request the tournament director to resolve the correct score by any means necessary, including the solicitation of spectators and/or other players. The final decision lies in the hands of the tournament director.

6.) CALLING FOULS
The non-player is responsible for calling fouls incurred by his/her opponent at the time of, or immediately following (before the next shot is played), a foul. Failure to do so results in the loss of the right to call that foul. In the event that a player calls a foul and his/her opponent continues playing without having the foul verified by the tournament director, the tournament director may be called upon by the opponent to determine if a foul has occurred.

7.) REQUESTING OBSERVATION
If a player wants to have a shot observed for a possible foul, they must inform their opponent in order to stop them from playing the shot unobserved. If the shooter continues to play the shot before the tournament director is present to watch the shot, it will be an automatic foul. The decision of the tournament director is final.

8.) SIMULTANEOUS CONTACT (SPLIT HITS)
If the cueball makes contact with two balls simultaneously, and it is not possible to clearly determine which ball was struck first, the benefit of the doubt will go to the shooter, and the shot shall be deemed a good hit.

9.) TALKING TO SPECTATORS
It is considered unsportsmanlike behavior to talk to non-players while your match is in progress. It is common courtesy to let your opponent play without interference or distraction. Under no circumstances may a player receive any information from anyone except the tournament director. A warning may be incurred, and upon subsequent violation, the player may forfeit the match.

10.) CELL PHONES
Player cell phones must be turned off during a match. Players will not be allowed to make or receive phone calls while the match is in progress. A first violation will get a warning from the tournament director, and subsequent violations may result in the loss of the match.

11.) DRESS CODE
All players will be expected to be dressed respectably. No sweat pants, sports shorts, torn jeans, T-shirts, or tank tops (men), unless it is an official Falcon Cue or Planet Pool 9-Ball Tour T-shirt. T-shirts my be worn underneath a sweater. Players may be refused entry into the tournament, and will not be allowed to play in money rounds on the final day of the tournament if dressed inappropriately. 

12.) SPLITTING AND SAVING
Under no circumstances will players be allowed to split prize monies by not playing out scheduled matches, nor will they be allowed to "save" each other percentages of prize monies. All matches will be played out, and if players are deemed to lose matches intentionally, both players will be penalized to the fullest extent. This may include forfeiting any prize monies and/or tour points.

13.) GENERAL CONDUCT
Players are expected to behave like good sportspeople during all Planet Pool events and tournaments, and unsportsmanlike behavior will not be tolerated. Unsportsmanlike behavior includes abusive language, obscene gestures, abuse/damage of equipment/facilities, intoxication leading to any kind of disruption, and gambling or solicitation to gamble with an opponent in a tournament match. Offenders may be penalized in various ways without warning, and possibly be banned from future events.