Rules

Each point has the following sequence:

1. Steel balls are divided equally among players.
2. The starting goalie places the target ball on the nearby dimple, signifying readiness. (The team to the left of the scoreboard gets to start first at the beginning of each game. After the first point, the team that lost the last point starts.)
3. The referee (if available) announces the score, signifying readiness.
4. The defending goalie says “Ready,” signifying readiness. This signal initiates active play.
5. The starting goalie releases the first steel ball.
6. All other players may release steel balls.
7. The point is played until a goal or a foul.
8. Record the point on the scoreboard or scorecard.
9. Repeat …

Goals/Games:

It is a goal when the target ball touches any part of the back wall, including the top, either directly or through a chain of steel balls. Typically a game is won by getting at least 4 points, by a margin of 2.

Fouls (Points):

Touching: Players may not touch the target ball while on the table during play.

Disturbing: It is a point if a player disturbs the motion of the target ball by a steel ball that was not rolled down a chute. Examples include:

1. A steel ball that was held while it contacted the target.
2. A steel ball that was dropped and made contact with the target.
3. A steel ball that was pushed with the side of a chute.
4. A steel ball that was pushed with a hand while gathering balls.

The latter three violations are usually not called, unless there was an immediate influence on the trajectory of the target ball, because these steel balls continue their motion indefinitely.

Interfering: Players may not touch steel balls, launched by an opponent, until those balls have passed downfield from the target ball, even if they look off course for impact. Players may acquire steel balls anywhere on the playing surface, including the opponent's goal area. However, players may not hamper the play of opponents, including touching their chutes or obscuring their vision. Players may not take balls from the hands of any other player.

Slapping: Players may not slap the target ball with the side of a chute. The target ball may legally bounce off the side of a stationary chute. A target ball may also legally bounce off the tip of a chute, even if the chute is moving. Blockage with the tip is defined as any angle that differs from the side of the chute. Players may not forcefully hit steel balls with the side of a chute.

Accelerating: Steel balls may be released down a chute only under the force of gravity. Players may not push steel balls down a chute. Steel balls may not be dropped onto a chute. They must be put in the groove of a chute and then released.

Starting: After the defending goalie says "Ready," if any of the other players launches a steel ball before the starting goalie launches, it is a point against that player's team. If the starting goalie fakes a launch, it is a point against the starting goalie's team.

Hoarding: Hoarding is defined as possession by a team of more than 75% of the steel balls. {With 20 steel balls total, holding 16 or more steel balls in the hands of a team constitutes hoarding.} At any time during a game, any player can yell "HOARDING". Immediately, all players must present both hands face up. If a hoarding accusation is proven, the violating team loses the point. Otherwise the challenging team loses the point.

Placing: Players may not place steel balls anywhere on the playing surface. Players may not push steel balls into a corner or anywhere else on the table. Players may not put steel balls into the hands of their partner. Players may not hold steel balls by any means other than their hands.

Pinching: Players may not hold the target ball with a chute against a side wall.

Miscellaneous: Players may not engage in any of a variety of actions that obviously detract from the design of the game, like hitting or tilting the table, blowing on the target ball, unnecessary delays, etc.

Resets

The following events are treated as a "Reset". The sequence for beginning a new point is followed, including an equal reallocation of steel balls. The target is placed in the same dimple as at the beginning of the point.

1. The target ball flies off the table and then either contacts a player or lands on the floor.
2. The target ball rolls up a chute and then touches a player.
3. A player launches a steel ball before the defending goalie says "Ready".
4. The target ball has stopped moving and opponents can’t hit it to the back wall because of an obstruction (e.g. chute blocks access).

Contact