Format
General information
The 2008 PartyPoker.com Mosconi Cup will be the best of 21 matches with all games being a race to 5 with alternate break.
Which ever team reaches 11 points will be victorious. There will be no way the competition can end with the scores tied.
Mosconi Cup Shot Clock Rules
Under the shot clock rules, each player will have up to 30 seconds to complete each shot.
A dedicated tournament official will operate the clock and an audible five-second count down will commence once the player has reached 25 seconds.
The clock will start when the last moving ball on the table comes to rest.
Failure to play a shot in the allocated time will result in loss of visit and ball in hand to the incoming player.
There are two exceptions to this.
After the break shot, a player can take a maximum of 1 minute to appraise the table. The clock will start after the completion of the first shot in open play. A push out does not count as the first shot.
In both singles and double matches, each side is allowed one 30 second extension per rack. This can be called at anytime within the initial 30 seconds.
The timekeeper will then allow the original 30 seconds to expire and then restart the clock to allow another 30 seconds. This will serve the purpose of extending the shot to one minute.
All players will make this known by audibly calling 'extension' to the referee. The referee, who will be miked up at all times, will then call 'extension' to the timekeeper.
In addition, the referee can stop the clock. This is in the event of any extraordinary occurrence, for example, a player playing out of turn in the doubles matches.
Having the cue ball cleaned or calling for a rest / mechanical bridge will be part of the 30 seconds.
The match will then recommence with the referee stating 'start the clock'. The clock will not be reset; rather it will continue from when it was stopped. This is at the referee's discretion.
The Break Rule
The following conditions on the break shot in all matches at the Mosconi Cup:
1. The balls will be racked higher up the table with the 9 ball resting on the spot.
2. The rack will be lightly tapped in as per WPA guidelines.
3. On completion of the break shot, three balls must pass the headstring. This does not include the cue ball.
4. Pocketed balls count, therefore if a breaking player makes one ball on the break, only two would then be required to pass the headstring.
5. Balls are not required to come to rest past the headstring so a ball that strikes the rail and returns across the head string back down table would be a legal ball.
6. A ball that passes the headstring and is subsequently pocketed counts as one ball.
7. A pocketed 9 ball only wins the rack if at least two other balls pass the headstring or are pocketed.
8. The penalty for an unsuccessful break as per the above guidelines is a loss of visit for the team.
9. The incoming team will have the option of i) playing the lowest numbered ball ii) pushing out or iii) putting the other side back in.
10. With a 30 second shot clock in operation, the incoming team following the conclusion of the break shot will have a maximum of 60 seconds to appraise the table before continuing.
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