Salotto Official Game Rules

NEITHER APPLE NOR GOOGLE IS A SPONSOR OR PROVIDER OF SALOTTO CONTESTS, SWEEPSTAKES OR PRIZES.

You acknowledge and understand that the game you are entering through the App or website may have hosting fees, contest prize money, or other proposed financial transaction that is expected to be paid by another participant, host, or user of the App, website or other Salotto service or product. You agree, acknowledge and understand that Apple, Google, Salotto, and their Affiliates (respective directors, officers, agents, Game Service Providers and employees) (collectively the “Indemnified Parties”) have no role in the financial transactions between the participants, and make no representation, warranty, guarantee that the fees, prize money, or other proposed financial transactions will actually be paid, occur, or be honored by other participants, and that the Indemnified Parties have no legal duty or obligation to ensure any financial transactions actually occur. You, other users, the host, and all other participants in any games entered through the App, website, or other Salotto service of product, have sole responsibility to honor any financial commitments made.  You agree that Indemnified Parties are not responsible for the actions, services, content, or data of third parties and you release Indemnified Parties, from any claims and damages, known or unknown, arising out of or in any way connected with any claim you have against any such third parties.

You shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Indemnified Parties from and against any and all claims, demands, complaints, damages, loss, liability, cost or expense, including but not limited to attorney’s fees and costs incurred) (each of the foregoing, a “Loss”) arising out of, relating to or in connection with (i) any Loss arising from any host, participant or other user’s failure to honor any financial obligation arising from any game entered through the App, website, or other Salotto service or product, or any other Loss, of any kind of nature, to You caused by another user, host, or participant or other third party with whom User was put in contact through the App, website, or other Salotto service or product; (iii) any Action that determined that the provision by any Games Service Provider and/or the receipt by companies or its Affiliates of any Games Service infringes upon or misappropriates the Intellectual Property of any third party, to the extent that any such Loss is determined to have resulted from such Games Service Provider’s intentional breach, fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct or (iv) any action or omission by a Service Provider in providing the Services hereunder, except to the extent any such Loss arises from such Service Provider’s intentional breach, fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct. In addition, if anyone brings a claim, cause of action, or dispute against Indemnified Parties related to your use of the App, website, or other Salotto service of product, you agree to indemnify, defend and hold Indemnified Parties harmless from and against all damages, losses, and expenses of any kind (including legal fees and costs) related to any such claim, cause of action, or dispute.

By use of the Salotto app or website, you are expressly agreeing to the format and rules of the billiards game, agreeing to the cost of entry (if applicable) and any contest prize money (if applicable), to be paid to the winner of the match or game by the loser, and agreed to indemnify, defend, and hold Indemnified Parties harmless from any Loss resulting from the use of the App, website or other Salotto service or product. 

Rules for FargoRate Submission

All matches submitted to FargoRate automatically include certain submission parameters for verification and authenticity. The parameters include: All match submissions include an associated payment. All match submissions are taken no matter the outcome (winner/loser). All match submissions are time and date stamped (automatically through Salotto). All match submission results are publicly available through FargoRate. Unresolved matches have a 48 hour window for resolution before they will be automatically submitted regardless of results. Only 8 Ball, 9 Ball and 10 Ball matches are considered for FargoRate submission.

• Fees Apply to send matches for FargoRate for the added labor/cost/development needed to connect the data bases and to monitor the data coming in.
• All matches are submitted regardless of outcome. 
• The match known in advance (even if it’s seconds in advance)
• Results are publicly viewable through FargoRate. 
• Matches are recorded through Salotto
• Salotto Action rating is considered when sending Match results to FargoRate
• Once a Salotto Player becomes “verified” (has played 10 matches through the Salotto App), their matches will be considered at full weight influence on their FargoRate. 
• Incomplete matches or contested matches will be submitted regardless of status after 48 hours.
• 8-9-10 ball games and matches are all that is considered for submission.

8-Ball Rules

There are many different variations of rules applied to Eight Ball descending from different sanctions, house rules or other rule sets. Salotto encourages the following rule set as it’s standard in most competitive games and matches. If a different rule set is chosen, discuss it with your opponent PREVIOUS to the start of the game. Communicate with your opponent, be respectful and understanding of different experiences in this sport. Play to win and have fun.

1. THE GAME. There are 15 balls used in Eight Ball, numbered 1 through 15. 1 through 7 are solid colors and referred to “solids” or “low balls”. 9 through 15 are striped with color and referred to “stripes” or “high balls”. The 8 ball should be the final pocketed ball once a player has pocketed their group (solids or stripes) of balls. Pocketing the 8 ball previous all 7 balls in the players group results in a loss. Pocketing the 8 ball after a player has pocketed all balls in their group is a win of the game.
2. CALL YOUR SHOTS. It is common that obvious shots to pocket aren’t verbally called. If the player does not call a non-obvious shot such as a bank, kick, combinations of carom shot, the opponent can ask what pocket is called previous to the shot. It is not necessary to call exact contacts with rails or other balls as long as the object ball is pocketed in the called pocket. The opening break is not considered a called shot and breaking player can only continue if one or more balls are pocketed.
3. THE RACK. For Eight ball, all 15 balls are racked into a triangle at the foot of the table with the lead ball on the “spot” or exactly between the second diamonds. There is no particular order to rack the balls as long as the 8 ball is in the center of the rack and there’s one solid and one striped ball in the back corners of the rack. It is a good idea to rack the balls “tight” with all balls touching for a more efficient break.
4. WHO, HOW & ORDER. Competitors “lag” before the first game to determine who breaks. If other means of determination are preferred, such as but not limited to a coin flip, this will need to be agreed to before hand. Despite who wins individual games in a match, players will alternate breaks. It is common for the breaker to also rack the balls.
5. JUMP & SWERVE FOULS. When the player, players stick, or the cue ball illegally make contact with an impeding (non-legal object ball) or opposing player’s ball(s), the result is a foul and ball in hand goes to the other player. “Ball in hand” allows player to place the ball anywhere on the table. Be careful when moving the cue ball with your cue stick as making contact with the tip of your stick in moving the cue ball will be considered a foul.
6. THE BREAK. Cue ball must be behind headstring. Must make contact with rack of balls and at least 4 balls must contact a cushion, or pocket a ball. If player fails to do one of these, it is a foul and the opposing player has the option of accepting the table position and shotting, or having the balls reracked and the option of breaking them again or allowing the offending player to break again.
7. SCRATCH ON LEGAL BREAK. If a breaker’s cue ball is pocketed on the break it is a foul, but not a loss. The table is open for incoming player and they may take ball in hand behind the headstring. All pocketed balls are left in the pockets. Player may not shoot an object ball that is behind the headstring after receiving ball in hand as a result of the foul.
8. OBJECT BALLS JUMPING OFF TABLE IN BREAK. It is a foul if a ball leaves the table on the break shot. Incoming player has the choice of accepting the table as is and shooting, or taking ball in hand behind the headstring and shooting. Balls that left the table during break shot are spotted (or as close as possible).
9. 8 BALL POCKETED ON BREAK. Given the 8 ball goes in on the breaks shot, the breaker may ask for a rerack, or have the 8 ball spotted and continue shooting. If the breaker scratches on the break shot and the 8 ball is pocketed, the incoming player has the option of a rerack or having the 8 ball spotted and then shooting with ball in hand behind the headstring.
10. OPEN TABLE. This is when the entering player after a dry break shot where no balls were pocketed has their choice of stripes or solids (also sometimes called “highs or lows”). When the table is open, it is legal to hit a solid first and combo into a stripe or vice versa. The table is ALWAYS open after a break shot even if a ball is pocketed. You cannot contact the 8 ball first to make a combo and score a ball to determine which set of balls will be yours. If this is done, the shooter loses their turn and the incoming player has an open table just as the breaker had. On an open table, any illegally pocketed balls remain pocketed. If a player illegally pockets the 8 ball on an open table it is a loss.
11. CHOICE OF GROUP (ball set high or low, stripes or solids). The group chosen is not determined on the break even if balls are pocketed on the break shot. THE TABLE IS ALWAYS OPEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BREAKSHOT. The ball group can only be determined when a player legally pockets a ball they called after the break shot.
12. LEGAL SHOT. On all shots the shooter must hit one of their balls (in their group) first and pocket a numbered ball or cause the cue ball or object ball to contact a cushion. It is acceptable for the shooter to bank the cue ball into a rail before connecting with his object ball; however, after contact with the object ball, it either must go in a pocket or the cue ball or any other ball must connect with a cushion. If this does not happen it is a foul and the incoming player takes ball in hand anywhere on the table.
13. SAFETY SHOTS. Sometimes pool feels more like a chess game, but harder and for strategic reasons a player may opt for a “safety” which must be declared prior to shooting and needs to be done in a legal fashion. If this is not done and the player’s object ball is pocketed he must shoot again. Any ball pocketed on a safety remains pocketed. For Safety Shot legality, shooter must make contact with an object ball, then any ball must contact a cushion. Balls frozen on a rail (touching) cannot be used to determine “contact” since they’re already touching the rail. Make sure your ball isn’t frozen before using it in a safety or it won’t count for the post-contact cushion portion of the shot.
14. SCORING. A player is able to continue shooting until he misses a shot or pockets the 8 ball after legally pocketing every ball in his group.
15. FOUL PENALTY. The opposing player gets the cue ball in hand wherever he wants. This means the player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table (only needs to be behind the headstring directly following the opening breakshot where a foul occurred). This rule prevents a player “throwing” a shot and missing on purpose to disadvantage his opponent. After placing the cue ball, any forward stroke motion contacting the cue ball will be a foul if not a legal shot.
16. COMBINATION SHOTS. These are legal and accepted, but must be done legally. The 8 ball cannot be the first ball in the combo except when the table is open.
17. ILLEGALLY POCKETED BALLS. If you make a ball and a foul occurs, you do not continue shooting. If you call a ball and it doesn’t go into the intended pocket, it is illegal. This is not a foul, but you don’t get to continue shooting. Illegally pocketed balls stay pocketed.
18. OBJECT BALLS JUMPED OFF THE TABLE. This is a loss of turn and a foul unless it’s the 8 ball in which case it’s loss of game. Any object balls jumped off the table are spotted in numerical order.
19. PLAYING THE 8 BALL. When shooting the 8 ball a scratch is not a loss, but only a foul. If the 8 ball is not pocketed or jumped off the table, if it is, it’s a loss. Incoming player has ball in hand. Combo shots can never be used to legally pocket the 8 ball.
20. LOSS OF GAME. A player loses when: Fouls when pocketing the 8 ball, (except on break) pockets 8 ball on same stroke as the last of his group’s ball set. Pockets 8 ball when it is not the legal object ball. 8 ball is pocketed but not into intended pocket or isn’t the intended object ball.
21. STALEMATE & FOULS. After 3 consecutive turns at the table by each player (6 turns total), the referee judges (or if no referee, both players agree) that attempting to pocket or move an object ball will result in loss of game, the balls will be reracked with the original breaker of the stalemated game to break again. The stalemate rule may only be used when there are only two object balls and the 8-ball remaining on the table. Three consecutive fouls by one player is not a loss of game.

9-Ball Rules

1. OBJECT OF THE GAME. Nine Ball is played with nine object balls numbered one through nine and a cue ball. On each shot the first ball the cue ball contacts must be the lowest-numbered ball on the table, but the balls need not be pocketed in order. If a player pockets any ball on a legal shot, he remains at the table for another shot, and continues until he misses, fouls, or wins the game by pocketing the 9-ball. After a miss, the incoming player must shoot from the position left by the previous player, but after any foul the incoming player may start with the cue ball anywhere on the table. Players are not required to call any shot. a match ends when one of the players has won the required number of games.
2. RACKING THE BALLS. The object balls are racked in a diamond shape, with the one ball at the top of the diamond and on the foot spot, the nine ball in the center of the diamond, and the other balls in random order, racked as tightly as possible. the game begins with cue ball in hand behind the head string.
3. LEGAL BREAK SHOT. The rules governing the break shot are the same as for other shots except: a. The breaker must strike the 1-ball first and either pocket a ball or drive at least four numbered balls to the rail. b. If the cue ball is pocketed or driven off the table, or the requirements of the opening break are not met, it is a foul, and the incoming player has cue ball in hand anywhere on the table. c. If on the break shot, the breaker causes an object ball to jump off the table, it is a foul and the incoming player has cue ball in hand anywhere on the table. The object ball is not respotted (exception: if the object ball is the 9-ball, it is respotted).
4. CONTINUING PLAY. On the shot immediately following a legal break, the shooter may play a “push out.” (See Rule 5.). If the breaker pockets one or more balls on a legal break, he continues to shoot until he misses, fouls, or wins the game. If the player misses or fouls, the other player begins his inning and shoots until he misses, fouls, or wins. the game ends when the nine ball is pocketed on a legal shot, or the game is forfeited for a serious infraction of the rules.
5. PUSH OUT. The player who shoots the shot immediately after a legal break may play a push out in an attempt to move the cue ball into a better position for the option that follows. On a push out, the cue ball is not required to contact any object ball nor any rail, but all other foul rules still apply. The player must announce his intention of playing a push out before the shot, or the shot is considered to be a normal shot. Any ball pocketed on a push out does not count and remains pocketed except the 9-ball. Following a legal push out, the incoming player is permitted to shoot from that position or to pass the shot back to the player who pushed out. A push out is not considered to be a foul as long as no rule (except rules 7. and 8.) is violated. An illegal push out is penalized according to the type of foul committed. After a player scratches on the break shot, the incoming player cannot play a push out.
6. FOULS. When a player commits a foul, he must relinquish his run at the table and no balls pocketed on the foul shot are respotted (exception: if a pocketed ball is the 9-ball, it is respotted). The incoming player is awarded ball in hand; prior to his first shot he may place the cue ball anywhere on the table. If a player commits several fouls on one shot, they are counted as only one foul.
7. BAD HIT. If the first object ball contacted by the cue ball is not the lowest- numbered ball on the table, the shot is foul.
8. NO RAIL. If no object ball is pocketed, failure to drive the cue ball or any numbered ball to a rail after the cue ball contacts the object ball on is a foul.
9. IN HAND. When the cue ball is in hand, the player may place the cue ball anywhere on the bed of the table, except in contact with an object ball. He may continue to adjust the position of the cue ball until he takes a shot.
10. OBJECT BALLS JUMPED OFF THE TABLE. An unpocketed ball is considered to be driven off the table if it comes to rest other than on the bed of the table. It is a foul to drive an object ball off the table. The jumped object ball(s) is not respotted (exception: if the object ball is the 9-ball, it is respotted) and play continues.
11. JUMP AND MASSE SHOT FOUL. If a match is not refereed, it will be considered a cue ball foul if during an attempt to jump, curve or masse the cue ball over or around an impeding numbered ball, the impeding ball moves (regardless of whether it was moved by a hand, cue stick follow-through or bridge).
12. THREE CONSECUTIVE FOULS. If a player fouls three consecutive times on three successive shots without making an intervening legal shot, he loses the game. The three fouls must occur in one game. The warning must be given between the second and third fouls. A player’s inning begins when it is legal for him to take a shot and ends at the end of a shot on which he misses, fouls or wins, or when he fouls between shots.
13. END OF GAME. A game starts as soon as the cue ball crosses over the head string on the opening break. The 1-ball must be legally contacted on the break shot. The game ends at the end of a legal shot which pockets the 9-ball; or when a player forfeits the game as the result of a foul.

10-Ball Rules

Loss of Game

1. Player loses when opponent legally pockets the 10-ball.
2. THREE CONSECUTIVE FOULS. If a shooter commits a foul three times in a row without making an intervening legal shot, the result is a loss of game. The three consecutive fouls must occur in one game; fouls do not carry over to next game. After the 2nd foul has been committed, the opponent must verbally warn the shooter that they have committed their 2nd foul and that a 3rd foul will result in a loss of game. NOTE: If the shooter is not warned after the 2nd foul and commits a 3rd, it will not be a loss of game. Instead the opponent must again warn the shooter that the next foul committed will result in a loss of game.
3. CONCEDING A GAME. Concession of a game or games in tournament play is never encouraged. The shooting player must finish his/her inning, or the result shall be a loss of game(s) for the conceding player. Any concession of game, for any reason, is considered a loss for the offending player.
4. CONCESSION OF A MATCH. Unscrewing any cues during the last game (or while the shooting player is on the hill), putting on a jacket, or undertaking any other actions which would indicate that the match is over, is considered a forfeiture of the match.
5. BALL TAPPING. Tapping balls is not permitted. After an “Official Warning” by a sanction representative or tournament official has been granted to the offender, the penalty for ball tapping shall be the loss of the current game. Only tournament officials may tap in balls when warranted.
6. COACHING ASSISTANCE. During their inning and only once per game, only the shooting player is allotted a “Time Out” that shall last no more than a two (2) minute period. During this time the player may receive instruction from an available teammate. Otherwise a player who receives advice from respective teammates shall grant a ball in hand foul to the opponent. And on the second (2nd) infraction shall grant the current game in favor of the opponent by a forfeit. Calling a Time Out: When the shooting player calls a “Time Out” they are to select an available team member to immediately assist them without conferring with other parties.

General Pool Rules

1. FORFEITS. Players are allotted fifteen (15) minutes to begin their match, or the match is considered forfeited. NOTE: Once a match is scheduled to start and a fifteen (15) minute count is desired, the opponent is to notify a tournament official or communicate with opponent.
2. SHOT CLOCK. Shot Clock implementation is at the sole discretion of the organizers, host or players. When a shot clock is utilized it shall be used for both players competing and in the following manner: Each shooting player is allotted one (1) minute for each shot, or a “ball in hand” foul shall be granted to the opponent. The shot clock is to be started once all balls come to rest. The time keeper (designated by host or agreed to by players) shall call out “Ten Seconds!” once the fifty (50) second mark has been reached, unless the shooter is down on the shot in preparation to shoot. Once one minute has been reached on the shot clock, the shooter must either be stroking or have shot. If the shooter rises (gets off the shot) without execution after the one (1) minute mark has been reached, it shall result in a “ball in hand” foul to the opponent. Shot Clock implementation and time keepers are at the sole discretion of the host or organizer, its representatives or tournament officials.
3. SPLIT HITS. If the cue ball strikes a legal object ball and a non-legal object ball at about the same instant, and it cannot be clearly determined which ball was hit first, the judgment will go in favor of the shooter.
4. Ball Rebounds from Pocket Balls must remain in a pocket to count as pocketed. If a ball goes into a pocket and bounces back on to the playing surface, it is not considered pocketed. If it is the 10-ball, it is not a win. If it is the cue ball, it is not a scratch. Clearing pockets which are full or nearly full of balls is the responsibility of the shooting player.
5. HANGING BALL. If any ball hangs in a pocket, the ball is considered to be pocketed if it drops in 5 seconds or less after coming to complete rest by the hole. If a hanging ball drops in the pocket after being at rest for 5 seconds or more, the ball is returned to the original position on the edge and the incoming player may begin his/her inning. Both players will have the opportunity to argue their case. The referee’s decision is final.

Tournament Director/Referees

1. PLAYER RESPONSIBILITY. It is the responsibility of each member to be aware of all rules, regulations, and schedules relating to his/her competition. Tournament officials will make every reasonable effort to make the information readily available to all players; however, the ultimate responsibility rests with each individual player. There is no recourse if a player does not obtain correct or complete information. NOTE: Players may always call for rules clarification during play. This is not considered a “Time Out.”
2. REFEREES. The League Operator (or his/her assistants) will perform the duties of a referee in the event that referees are busy or not utilized. If the Tournament Director, his/her assistants or a referee is not to be found within a reasonable time frame, a spectator may sub as an official referee when agreed upon by both players and accordance with host or organizer rules.
3. Playing Without a Referee When a referee or tournament official is not available, the players in the match will be responsible for racking balls, watching/calling fouls (including on themselves), and insuring adherence to host/organizer rules of competition. Both players may agree on an audience member (familiar with competition rules) to stand in and perform any duty of a tournament official.
4. QUESTIONABLE SHOT. If there is a shot that could be a questionable hit or foul, the seated player is responsible for calling for a tournament official or agreed upon third (3rd) party to watch the hit before the opponent shoots. Once notified, the player at the table must then wait for an “official” to watch the shot. Likewise, if a player is uncertain whether some rule has been broken, he/she is responsible for seeking immediate clarification from league officials or the rulebook before play continues. After play continues, it is unlikely that a problem can be remedied. NOTE: If a tournament official or third (3rd) party was not utilized, “the call” shall be left to the shooter without further discussion.
5. Scoring Players are encouraged to score their own matches to ensure accuracy, however a third (3rd) party may be permitted by the host or organizer. The scorer is charged to accurately record what actually took place on the pool table and may clarify with the shooter what the intention was whenever needed. I.E. If it is believed a player is purposely calling a pocket, however actually plays a safe, then a safety (S) shall be recorded. Likewise if a player calls a “safety” however fouls, then a foul (F) is recorded. A player always has the right to consult the Scorecard with the scorekeeper. Any disagreements shall be determined by the host or organizer.
6. ADVICE VS. RULES CLARIFICATION. The referee must NEVER give advice nor offer an opinion on points of play. Only when asked by either player for clarification of a rule will the referee then explain that specific rule to the best of his/her ability. Any incorrect statement made by the referee will not protect a player from enforcement of the actual rule. When asked, the referee must tell either player the score, whether the cue ball is frozen to an object ball or rail, etc. If the referee sees that a foul is about to be committed by either player, he must say nothing until after the foul, since any warning before the foul would constitute “advice” from the referee.
7. PROMPTING OFFICIAL WARNINGS. If either player has the opinion that the referee is failing to issue a mandatory “Official Warning,” he/she may remind the referee that such a warning is necessary.
8. CALLING FOULS. The referee will call all fouls as soon as they occur and will inform the incoming player that he/she has ball in hand (see 10.3, Playing Without a Referee).
9. PROTESTING FOULS. If a player believes that the referee has failed to call a foul, he must protest to the referee before his/her opponent takes his/her next shot. If the player fails to do so, the foul is considered not to have occurred.
10. RESTORING POSITION. When it becomes necessary, the referee will restore disturbed balls to their original positions to the best of their ability. The referee may solicit information for this purpose if he/she is not sure of original positions. If the balls were disturbed by a player in the match, his/her opponent has the option of preventing restoration. If the balls were disturbed by someone else, then it is a mandatory for the referee to restore the balls. In this case, the referee may instruct the shooter to replay the shot after restoration, if the outside interference had an effect on the outcome of the shot. If not, the referee will instruct the shooter to continue play after restoration.
11. VERIFICATION. The referee may use any means to gather needed information to make a decision concerning a disputed play or game situation.
12. REPLAY OF GAME. A replay of game is only warranted under the following unique circumstance;  Table Failure; torn cloth, balls stuck in pocket, etc.
13. RESOLVING DISPUTES. Any disagreement between the two players will be resolved by the host/organizer, his/her appointed representative, or any administrative member match.