Quick Reference
Quick Reference
Everything you need to know about the ABL
Fast Facts
Section titled “Fast Facts”Players must be at least 16 years old.
$49 per year Waived First Season (a savings of $294 a team!).
Weekly team play is $14 per player.
ABL is currently an 8-ball league.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 4 handicap | A player with 4 placements during each game. |
| Ball in hand | Cue ball may be placed anywhere on the table after an opponent’s foul. This is not a handicap placement. |
| Combo / combination shot | The cue ball contacts one object ball before the object ball being pocketed. The shooter must contact one of their own balls first. |
| Cue ball | The white ball. |
| Handicap placement | A player’s allowed cue-ball placement during their turn. It cannot be used while breaking, shooting the 8 ball, after missing, or after fouling. |
| Head string | The imaginary line from the second diamond on one long rail to the second diamond on the other long rail. |
| Inning | A player’s turn at the table. It ends when the player misses, fouls, or wins the game. |
| Lagging | Both players shoot an object ball from behind the head string toward the end rail and back. The ball that stops closest to the head rail wins the first break. |
| Miss | Failing to pocket a ball from the declared group, or failing to pocket the 8 ball when shooting to win. |
| Open table | Solids and stripes have not been assigned yet. |
| Safety | A legal shot where the shooter contacts their group or the 8 ball, and then the cue ball or an object ball reaches a cushion. A safety does not have to be called. |
| Safety break | An intentional break that leaves the incoming player with no easy shot. Safety breaks are not allowed. |
| Spotting balls | Returning an illegally pocketed ball to the foot spot, with additional balls placed directly behind it. |
Double Hit
Section titled “Double Hit”A double hit occurs when the cue stick contacts the cue ball more than once on the shot. This is a foul.
When the cue ball and object ball are touching or very close, the shooter should elevate the back of the cue and stroke through with one forward motion.
Professional Player
Section titled “Professional Player”No professional player is allowed in the league.
ABL defines a professional player as a player who competes, or has ever competed, in a professional tournament. The source rules also identify this as 699 Fargo and above. If a player’s status is unclear, the ABL board will review the facts and make a decision.
If the league finds that a player is or was professional and did not declare it, the player can be barred from the league indefinitely.
Equipment
Section titled “Equipment”In America, cues must be standard length: 57 inches or longer. Jump cues shorter than 57 inches are not allowed.
In Canada, snooker cues of any length are allowed.
Players can only make jump shots with their playing cue. In America, that means a cue of 57 inches or longer. In Canada, a jump shot may be made with a snooker cue if that cue is the player’s playing cue.
Tables
Section titled “Tables”The following tables may be used during league play:
- 3.5 x 7 ft bar table.
- 4 x 8 ft table.
- 4.5 x 9 ft table.
The main event finals are held on 3.5 x 7 ft bar tables.
Scoring App
Section titled “Scoring App”The America’s Billiards League app is available on iPhone, Android, and PC. It manages secure payments, score tracking, live updates, schedules, random matchups, and automatic handicap updates every two weeks.
Scorekeeping
Section titled “Scorekeeping”Both teams should score each game and match together. Both teams are responsible for tracking player scores and handicap placements.
Coaches cannot place the cue ball for a player.
