The World 8-Ball Pool Rules were revised for the 2015 season, including the removal of the separate “Serious Fouls” section. This page preserves the change as part of LancashirePool.com’s historical rules archive.
What changed in the 2015 World 8-Ball Rules?
Fouls previously grouped under the Serious Fouls heading were redistributed into other parts of the rules. Examples recorded in the original LancashirePool notice included:
- Playing out of turn – moved into Standard Fouls.
- Jump shot – moved into Standard Fouls.
- Other former Serious Fouls – reclassified where appropriate as Standard Fouls or Loss of Frame Fouls.
Why this rules page is historical
The 2015 changes are useful for understanding how the World Rules framework evolved, but this page should not be used as the current playing-rules reference. The English Pool Association later adopted International 8-Ball Rules from 2023.
For the wider transition, read our EPA adoption of International 8-Ball Rules from 2023.
Current and historical pool rules
For the older ruleset, see the historical WEPF World Rules. For current competition, use the International 8-Ball Rules. More historical changes, equipment decisions and referee resources are collected in the Pool Rules archive.
Historical rules record: originally published 20 December 2014 for the 2015 season.