UK 8 Ball
Topic: Rules: World Standard 8 ball vs IPT/EPT

Thanks to malaguista for this explanation in another thread. I just thought it's useful reference info and deserves a thread of it's own where we can find it again. Though malaguista does not say so I believe EPT rules are exactly the same as IPT except phenolic tips are allowed.

These are the main differences in IPT and WPA Rules

(IPT) Cue to be no shorter than 53" and no longer than 63"

(WPA) rules state no shorter than 40” and no maximum length
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(IPT) Leather cue tip

(WPA) allow Phenolic Tips
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(IPT) Front ball of rack must be the One Ball

(WPA) doesn´t specify
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(IPT) Break from box

(WPA) Break from anywhere behind the line
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(IPT) One ball must be the first ball struck on break

(WPA) doesn´t specify
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(IPT) At least one object ball is pocketed or b) at least five object balls contact a rail.

(WPA) four object balls must hit a rail if no ball is potted
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(IPT) If the 8 ball is pocketed on a legal break shot it is a win of game.

(WPA) 8 ball is re-spotted
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(IPT) Player also loses game by committing three consecutive fouls.

(WPA) No such rule
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(IPT) Coaching- players are allowed to have one "cornerman" for coaching and support.

(WPA) Forbidden
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(IPT) Players are required to call fouls on themselves when they know that they have committed a foul.

(WPA) Don’t say as they think that all players are gentlemen!!!
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(IPT) If a player is late for a scheduled match, the player forfeits the match. If both players are late, both will forfeit the match and it will count as a loss for both players.

(WPA) 15 minutes period of grace
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(IPT) Players are expected to be well groomed with regard to hair cuts, facial hair, and cleanliness.

(WPA) I think that they should also insist on this point.
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Malaguista BCA and ACS qualified National Referee

Another important difference I think I should add is that with WPA rules if you scratch on the break, the opponent only has ball in hand behind the line. On the IPT/EPT you can place the cueball anywhere.

plus the ipt pays out more money than the wpa

`QUOTE]I believe EPT rules are exactly the same as IPT except phenolic tips are allowed.

When I originally compiled this list of differences, I had not studied the EPT rules so could not, and still cannot comment.

I doubt that the EPT will fine their players $1000 for not turning up in dress code or using the player's lounge on a day that they are not competing (fine $500) or disqualify a player for not appearing at the advertised start time.

By the way, I am all in favour of the strict rules that the IPT are enforcing and having listened to the entire player's meeting, I am now convinced that Tom Storm and Ed Kelly deserved all they got, Jimmy White was lucky. He had an excuse that he had not been at the player's meeting but the first rule of the IPT or the WPA and probably the EPT is, that the player is responsible for knowing the rules......




Quite right POOLKNIGHT although I don't think that the WPA actually organise any tournaments themselves so the point is mute.

On 2006-09-11 18:44 , cusack_147 Wrote:
Yep - very important. How did you miss that one malaguista?

Cheeky Git!!!!