Blackball is the official competitive version of
pool played in the UK and is used on the IPA Tour.
The recognised rules of Blackball are set by the
WPA, pool's international governing body, and are designed to be creative and
entertaining to watch.
·Three-point rule: Points are
awarded when breaking off - one point per ball that goes fully past an
imaginary line between the middle pockets and/or one point per ball legally
potted. Failure to reach the three-point minimum is a foul break.
·'Skill shot': It's okay to pot
your own and your opponent's ball at the same time - this rewards attacking
play by 'unblocking' pockets.
·Fouls: The first shot after any
foul is a free visit, but the player then continues with just one shot.
S TrivassCopyright: S Trivass
How can I watch the Pool IPA Tour – Isle of Man?
All times are GMT and subject to change
BBC Sport
The BBC will bring you live coverage of the IPA Tour 2021 between the 5-7
November on the BBC Sport website, app and on the BBC iPlayer.
You can also catch-up with all the action again shortly after on the BBC
iPlayer here.
Friday 5 November
16:00-22:00, BBC Sport website, app and BBC iPlayer
Saturday 6 November
12:00-23:00, BBC Sport website, app and BBC iPlayer
Sunday 7 November
12:00-23:00, BBC Sport website, app and BBC iPlayer
How to get into Pool
With tables regularly found in social spots across
the UK, it is easy to enjoy a game of pool with friends.
Bigger pockets (in eight ball), shorter cues, fewer
balls - pool is a great sport for beginners to get stuck in to.
However, cue ball control, massive amounts of spin
and arm power are all needed to master the sport effectively.
Live Reporting
All times stated are UK
S TrivassCopyright: S Trivass 
Latest PostBlackball pool: What do you need to know?
Blackball is the official competitive version of pool played in the UK and is used on the IPA Tour.
The recognised rules of Blackball are set by the WPA, pool's international governing body, and are designed to be creative and entertaining to watch.
·Three-point rule: Points are awarded when breaking off - one point per ball that goes fully past an imaginary line between the middle pockets and/or one point per ball legally potted. Failure to reach the three-point minimum is a foul break.
·'Skill shot': It's okay to pot your own and your opponent's ball at the same time - this rewards attacking play by 'unblocking' pockets.
·Fouls: The first shot after any foul is a free visit, but the player then continues with just one shot.
How can I watch the Pool IPA Tour – Isle of Man?
All times are GMT and subject to change
BBC Sport
The BBC will bring you live coverage of the IPA Tour 2021 between the 5-7 November on the BBC Sport website, app and on the BBC iPlayer.
You can also catch-up with all the action again shortly after on the BBC iPlayer here.
Friday 5 November
16:00-22:00, BBC Sport website, app and BBC iPlayer
Saturday 6 November
12:00-23:00, BBC Sport website, app and BBC iPlayer
Sunday 7 November
12:00-23:00, BBC Sport website, app and BBC iPlayer
How to get into Pool
With tables regularly found in social spots across the UK, it is easy to enjoy a game of pool with friends.
Bigger pockets (in eight ball), shorter cues, fewer balls - pool is a great sport for beginners to get stuck in to.
However, cue ball control, massive amounts of spin and arm power are all needed to master the sport effectively.
Blackball (without the bigger pockets) is the official competitive version in this country, run by the International Professional Pool Association.