RULES OF NOVUSS (shorter version coming soon)

1. General rules
2. Game rules
3. Direct and rebound strokes
4. Loss in the game
5. Loss of set
6. Penalty pucks
7. Player loses a turn if:
8. Singles games
9. Doubles game
10. Determining the first strike rights

1. General rules

2. Game rules

1. The play consists of several sets, the number of which is determined by agreement.
    
2. Set begins when the players have taken places at the opposite sides of the table and one of the players has made the first stroke.
    

3. Before every strike the striker should be placed so that its hole lies entirely within his edge zone between the lines of the adjacent edge zones.
    

4. The striker must be placed without touching any puck. The striker may not hit directly any pucks in player’s own edge (“blind”) zone.
    

5. When the striker is put on the table, but before the stroke, the player is allowed to move the striker or change its position on the table.
    

6. When aiming and executing a stroke the cue must rest within inner corners of player’s edge of the table. When aiming or striking, the player’s hand may rest on the edge board. If the position of the cue is in doubt, the rule is that the player's hand must not cover the inner corner of the edge.

7. The player's fingers should never touch the playing surface, only the edge.

8. The stroke should be made only with the tip of the cue. The tip must be flat and clean.

9. The stroke is considered as having been completed if the tip of the cue has touched the striker. During the stroke. the striker in the back slide must not slide over player’s own edge zone line, except cases when players own puck is in the center zone or his blind zone.

10. After a successful stroke, if one or more pucks are pocketed and no breach of rules has occurred, the player continues the series of strikes.

11. If as a result of a stroke one puck lands on top of another, they are put side by side without moving other pucks. The top puck is placed on the side of its overhang. If it is not possible, the puck is put in the nearest empty place. If a puck lands on top of a striker, the puck is put in strikers place. If a puck or striker is hit off the table, even if it falls back on the table, but has made contact with an object outside it, or lands on top of the edge board, it is considered "out".

12. If after a stroke it is difficult to pick up striker without touching other puck, the player asks a referee or another player to remove the striker.

13. If after a stroke a puck stays balanced on the edge of a pocket and in the course of the game drops in without having been touched by the striker or another puck, it is placed back in the former position and is not counted as pocketed.

14. If after a stroke a puck or striker jumps on the edge of the table and stays there, it is considered as having jumped off the table. The puck that has jumped off the table is put in the centre of the circle, so that the centre line intersection can be seen through the hole in the puck. If the centre is already occupied, the puck is placed on the circle intersecting lines on the side that it jumped over. The puck is put so that its outer edge touches the inner edge of the circle. If that point is also taken, the puck is put on another point where the crossing lines intersect the circle line. If all above mentioned five points are occupied, the puck is placed on the crossing line, between the pucks in the centre and near the circle line, but always on the side where it left the table. If the puck jumps over the edge between the side and end edges and it is impossible to determine which edge it has jumped over, the puck is placed near the center line on imagined diagonal line in the direction where it left the table. If several pucks leave the table simultaneously, then puck, which was first touched by the striker, is placed in the centre and the other pucks are placed in the previously described sequence.

15. If as a result of a strike, a puck is broken and the broken parts remain on the table, a new puck is placed where the biggest part of the broken puck rested. If both broken parts are same size, the new puck is placed in a position the opponent determines as more difficult for the player. If as a result of a strike, a puck is broken and its larger part or half leaves the table, it is ruled that the puck has left the table and the new puck is placed in the center. If the larger part of the broken puck is pocketed, the puck is counted as pocketed. If as a result of a strike, the striker is broken and a part of it is pocketed or leaves the table, the player gets a penalty puck.
     

16. If as a result of a strike a puck stays balanced on its edge, or one puck lands on top of another, or one puck lands on top of striker or table edge, or leaves the table, the puck is considered as being in motion (though it does not roll) until it is placed horizontally on the table and the game can continue.

17. Until the referee or player, acting as a referee, has not finished his deliberations at the table, the players are not allowed to place the striker on the table to continue the game. They are allowed to remove the striker from the table or from the pocket and hand it to the opponent.

18. During the game the participants are not allowed to walk around the table to evaluate the position of the pucks from the other side.

19. The players may lean across the table without touching its surface, but may not place hands on the edge of the table.

20. During the game the players are not allowed to place pucks, striker or other objects on the edge of the table. They must not drag the striker across the table surface with the cue, but pick it up by hand. If the striker is on the opposite side behind the center line the opponent should move it by hand in the direction of center or the opponent's side. Intentional hitting of the edge is considered unsportsmanlike and the offender loses the set.

21. The player is not allowed to replace cue or striker during the set, except if they are damaged.

22. The player is not allowed to measure the distance along the edges of the table. It is allowed to aim with a cue, if its tip does not overreach the inner side of the table edge.

23. Every player is allowed two minutes before the game to evaluate the table.

24. If at the beginning of a set, but before the strike, the table is shaken so that the pucks are moved, their positions are restored.

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3. Direct and rebound strokes

1. A player is allowed to pocket their own pucks with direct strokes except those within the centre circle and the player's blind zone. A direct stroke means that the striker must first touch the player's own puck outside the centre circle and the player’s blind zone, after which it may hit any other pucks. If the center zone line or blind zone line can be seen through the puck’s hole, the puck can be hit directly.

2. The player is permitted to use rebound stroke on all his pucks.

3. Puck in the center zone and player’s blind zone cannot be hit by a direct stroke. There it can be played only:

1. With a rebound, i.e. the striker touches at least one edge board before hitting the puck, taking into account point 16.1.i).

2. With the striker, after it touches a player's own puck outside center zone or blind zone.

3. With players own puck, positioned outside these zones:

4. By means of several pucks, if the striker first touches players own puck, positioned outside the center zone and blind zone:

5. With a rebound against a side edge, if the puck is in the center zone.

4. There is no penalty, if in a rebound stroke player's striker does not touch any of his own pucks, if they are only in center zone or his blind zone.

5. If a player hits opponent's puck out of the center zone or edge zone, it should be left where it stopped.

6. It is forbidden to attack opponent's pucks with a direct stroke, driving them into the center or edge zone. If it has been done, the puck is replaced to its previous position without touching other pucks and the player gets penalty.

7. Attacking and driving the opponent's pucks into the center or opposite edge zone is permitted in the following ways:

1. With a rebound stroke when the player has no pucks left available for direct strokes.

2. With the striker after it touches the player's own puck outside the center or blind zone.

3. With a player's own puck.

4. By means of several pucks, providing the stroke was correctly executed.

Note: In this case the stroke is correct even if the player gets a penalty for its execution, as when the striker falls into the pocket or jumps over the edge.

8. If a player in a direct stroke drives the opponent's puck over the edge, this puck is returned to its previous position and the player gets penalty. The same is done if the player, striking an opponent's puck, drives another opponent's puck over the edge. If the puck has not been driven into opponent’s blind zone, its position is not restored.

9. The puck's position is not restored, if after the strike, it moves within the blind zone or from the center to the blind zone.

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4. Loss in the game

1. Player loses the game if he is not at the table two minutes after the referee’s invitation.

2. Player loses the game and is disqualified after a repeated warning in cases of disruptive behavior or extreme offenses.

3. Player is disqualified if he refuses to greet the opponent before or after the game.

4. Player loses the game because of unsportsmanlike behavior.

5. After a third warning, the player is awarded a loss in the game no mater how many sets have been completed.

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5. Loss of set

A set is forfeited if the player commits one of the following offences:

1. With a direct stroke hits several of his pucks out of the blind zones.

2. During the game pushes the table, displacing one or several pucks.

3. Knowingly violates the game rules; crosses over to the other side of the table; disregards the referees’ ruling to stop the game and strikes and moves one or more pucks.

4. If the striker first touched one's puck in the blind zone and then one or more pucks moved.

5. Displaces several pucks with fingers, striker, or cue without making the strike.

6. Handing the opponent a striker intentionally places it at the side edge.

7. During the set, touches one or more of the pucks on the table, or takes them out of the pockets (except in cases when there is no referee and the opponent has to place a penalty puck), or moves the last puck on the table.

8. Player who has no first hand rights, plays out of turn and makes the strike first. If this is found out only after the next stroke. the set continues and result is valid. The player, who has the first strike rights, begins the next set.

9. During the set exchanges an undamaged cue or striker.

10. Doubles player who has no first strike rights makes the first strike.

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6. Penalty pucks

1. The player loses strike rights and acquires a penalty puck in following cases:

1. With a direct stroke, the striker fails to touch any puck;

2. With a direct stroke, the striker first touches opponent's puck or touches player's own and opponent's puck simultaneously;

3. With a rebound stroke, the striker first touches opponent's puck, while there are pucks for direct shot;

4. If the striker drops into a pocket;

5. If the striker is driven off the table.;

6. If the player's own pucks are only in the center zone or blind zone, but with a rebound stroke, after hitting side board, striker fails to touch the opposite edge as required in point i);

7. If the player refuses to make a stroke;

8. With a direct stroke, player hits his own puck in a center or blind zone;

9. With a rebound stroke, the striker fails to touch the opponent's edge or a puck in the circle;

10. If the player makes a double stroke i.e. the cue moves the striker twice;

11. If, when placing the striker in the starting position, it touches any of the pucks;

12. If striker with a direct stroke first touches any of the pucks in player’s blind zone before touching any of the pucks outside this zone;

13. If the player touches striker while pucks are still in motion;

14. If the player by hand or cue touches pucks or striker in motion;

15. If the player by hand, cue or striker touches any of the pucks;

16. If the player moves any of the pucks during the opponent's turn. In this case the penalty puck is used immediately and the player forfeits his stroke. The moved puck is returned to original position;

17. With a direct stroke, opponent's puck is driven off the table;

18. The striker breaks during the stroke and a part of it is pocketed or falls over the edge;

19. If a player repeatedly, purposely delays the game, overstepping the 30 second time limit;

2. For several violations of the rules in one stroke, only one puck penalty is imposed (example.: the striker is pocketed without touching any pucks).

3. Penalty puck is put on the centre line touching the edge board. If more than one puck is to be placed, they are placed symmetrically on either side of the centre line or as close as possible to the centre line without moving any pucks. If vacant positions are equidistant from the centre, penalty puck is placed on the side with least number of pucks.

4. If a player has all eight pucks on the table, the debt stands until pucks are available. If during the game the debt is forgotten, the game goes on and the debt is annulled.

5. Penalty puck is put out only after the player or opponent has finished his turn. If in a series of strikes a player pockets all eight pucks without losing turn rights, the penalty puck is placed on the table and the player continues the series.

6. If several penalty pucks are to be used, they are all put out at once. All available penalty pucks should be put on the table at once, the rest remaining a debt.

7. The puck that has jumped over the edge and is placed in the center zone is not a penalty puck. In this case a penalty puck is used only if there has been another violation of the rules.

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7. Player loses a turn if:

1. None of the player's pucks have been pocketed.

2. The opponent's puck is pocketed together with the player's own puck.

3. The player’s or opponent's puck is forced off the table.

4. The player commits any breach of the rules resulting in a penalty.

5. If as a result of a stroke, when the player has no blind pucks, the striker on backstroke crosses players own edge line (example: the line is not visible through the puck’s hole).

6. If the player crosses the border of his own zone: 

7. If after a warning about purposely delaying the name, the strike is not done in 30 second time limit.

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8. Singles games

1. In singles, two players take positions on the opposite sides of the table.

2. The number of sets is determined by the competition rules. After each set the players exchange places but the right to start the set stays on the same side.

3. A set is won by the player who first pockets all eight pucks (following all the rules in points 4. and 5.)

4. If a player pockets his as well as opponent's last pucks, the set is annulled and replayed. If a penalty is incurred while pocketing the last puck or the striker has crossed his own edge zone line, set is lost.

5. If the first player pockets all eight pucks in the first turn, the opponent is given the right to play. Should the opponent also succeed in pocketing all pucks in one turn, the set is replayed changing sides and the first strike rights. In the following set the first strike rights remain as agreed beforehand. If both players pocket all pucks in one turn, but after the last strike the striker in backslide crosses his own edge zone line, this player loses the set.
   
   Note: If the first player, after pocketing all eight pucks, commits any breach of the rules (ie. moves the opponent's puck while handing over the striker), he immediately incurs a penalty and loses the strike rights.

6. If both players have pucks left only in the blind zones and both miss them three times, the game is stopped and the set replayed. The first strike rights remain as agreed beforehand.

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9. Doubles game

1. In a doubles game a team of two partners play opposite each other. The partners stand opposite each other. The first strike rights always remain at one side of the table. The players after every set change sides in a clockwise direction. The pucks are set up by partners after players have changed sides.

2. Players endeavor to pocket not only their own but also partner's pucks. The winning pair in the set is the one to achieve this first.

3. Doubles game has the same rules as the singles game, except the case when the player directly hits the opponent's puck into their blind zone. In a doubles game the penalty is a penalty puck.

4. The ruling about striking the opponent's puck into the blind zone applies only to the center zone.

5. Penalty pucks are put on the side opposite to the offending player. In a doubles game the penalty is inflicted on that player, who has the strike rights at the moment when the rules are violated.

6. Penalty pucks can be put on the table only after the pucks on the opposite side have been moved and the partners together have less than 16 pucks on the table.

7. Should the opening player pocket all 16 pucks on the first turn (his own and partner's), only one opponent has the strike rights. If he does not pocket all 16 pucks (his own and partner's), in the first series, the set is lost. In other cases all the players have the strike rights.

8. After the strike, one of the opponents or the partner hands over the striker.

9. Playing doubles, the partners may discuss the situation without showing the position from which the strike should be made.

10. 30 second time limit applies to both partners.

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10. Determining the first strike rights

1. In single games the first strike rights are determined as follows:

1. playing in a circular order, the players are determined by toss and a schedule of games is made. The first player has the first strike rights and the second has the right to choose the side of the table and pucks.

2. playing by single or double elimination systems, the first strike rights are determined by toss or as follows: in odd games the first strike rights belong to the first player, but in even games - to the second player.

2. In team competitions the first strike rights are determined by the competition rules.

3. In the doubles game the first strike rights are determined in the same way. One player from each team takes part in the toss. The pair that has won the first strike rights, chooses who is going to begin. They then choose the positions at the table. The opponents can change their order around the table after the first team has declared the determined order. In the decisive odd set the players, who do not have the first strike rights are again allowed to exchange places.

Result of the game.

If one of the players has won in more that half of the sets, he is declared a winner and the game is discontinued. In a game of even set numbers a draw is possible. The team competitions are discontinued if one of the teams has won majority of the games, unless the rules say that all games have to be played.

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