Changing Shafts in the middle of a match

Benward452

Benward452

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Quick question.

In a local tournament I play in they only allow leather tipped shafts for breaking. For this reason, I have two shafts for my jump/break cue, one with a leather tip and one with a phenolic tip.

After breaking with my leather tipped shaft, would it be illegal for me to change the shaft of my cue to the phenolic tipped shaft in case jumping is needed during the match?

What about in general, can you change the shaft of your reserve cue during your match without penalty? Unless your shaft was damaged during play, changing your shaft on your playing cue would be an automatic forfeit of the match, correct?

I have never come across this, but was curious if there is any written or unwritten rule.

Thanks!
 
I think you'd be fine unless the local tourney has some unique rules. In this US Open Archer was playing Davenport (in the semis?) and his shaft broke. I don't know if that cue broke with the joint experiencing damage or what, but Johnny completed the match using only his jump/break cue. I asked AZB's resident expert and '09 Open ref Jay Helfert "Why wouldn't Johnny use a different cue, even if he had to borrow one? Is there a rule prohibiting that?" Jay said there was no rule for using any conforming cue and he could have changed shafts, borrowed a cue, or whatever. Hope that helps.



Benward452 said:
Quick question.

In a local tournament I play in they only allow leather tipped shafts for breaking. For this reason, I have two shafts for my jump/break cue, one with a leather tip and one with a phenolic tip.

After breaking with my leather tipped shaft, would it be illegal for me to change the shaft of my cue to the phenolic tipped shaft in case jumping is needed during the match?

What about in general, can you change the shaft of your reserve cue during your match without penalty? Unless your shaft was damaged during play, changing your shaft on your playing cue would be an automatic forfeit of the match, correct?

I have never come across this, but was curious if there is any written or unwritten rule.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
I have changed my shafts out 2x in a tournament game since I started playing again...I didnt have any problems...I would talk to the TD before the tournament starts just in case though
 
I would address my opponent before making a change, as breaking down a cue during a match is usually a sign of forfeit. I had to change shafts in the middle of a match last weekend, I just made sure to let my opponent know first so that there was no confusion.
 
Thanks all, will ask the TD, but I am still curious as to whether you can change your playing cue shaft in the middle of the match or not, if the shaft is not broke or damaged.
 
In APA, you can do it during the match as long as it's between games. Everywhere else, you can do it pretty much whenever you want.
 
Every set of rules I have read regarding "breaking down of cues during play" has to do with "Concession of the game or match".

Basically, if you break down your cue while your opponent is in a likely position to finish the match, it is considered unsportsmanlike, "Sharking" and results in loss of that game.

I have never seen a rule that said you can't change shafts or whatever during play. I think the "Concession" rule is often taken out of context. Maybe even by tournament directors!


Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com
 
I would translate the rules in general as so:

Breaking down a cue during a game is a forfeit.

Breaking down a cue during a game or match to replace a damaged shaft should be cleared with the opponent as well as the ref before you loosen the shaft at all.

Breaking down a cue between matches is not a problem (since there is no opponent!)

Breaking down a cue between games of a match should be cleared with the opponent and ref.

I think if you stick to this, you should be OK.
 
Happened to me

At our local leagues, tip popped off during a match, broke cue down and put another playing shaft on, and it was treated as a forfeit, even though i was the one still shooting.

As it was explained to me, you can put a cue together, but cant take one apart during the game. For this reason I carry a second playing cue and 3 playing shafts with me just in case.

Sucks that I took a loss, even though I pocketed the ball and was still my shot. I should have grabbed a bar cue, but oh well.

Its probably not the same rules everywhere, this is just what happened to me.

JM
 
jmizzo said:
At our local leagues, tip popped off during a match, broke cue down and put another playing shaft on, and it was treated as a forfeit, even though i was the one still shooting.

As it was explained to me, you can put a cue together, but cant take one apart during the game. For this reason I carry a second playing cue and 3 playing shafts with me just in case.

Sucks that I took a loss, even though I pocketed the ball and was still my shot. I should have grabbed a bar cue, but oh well.

Its probably not the same rules everywhere, this is just what happened to me.

JM
Click to expand...


THAT is a very stupid rule!

Forcing a player to accept a loss because of equipment failure is senseless IMO. I guess a race car driver is out of the race if you get a flat? no... or a baseball player is out if he breaks his bat? no....but good ole pool had to have an idiotic rule about breaking down a cue? paleez!
 
jmizzo said:
At our local leagues, tip popped off during a match, broke cue down and put another playing shaft on, and it was treated as a forfeit, even though i was the one still shooting.

As it was explained to me, you can put a cue together, but cant take one apart during the game. For this reason I carry a second playing cue and 3 playing shafts with me just in case.

Sucks that I took a loss, even though I pocketed the ball and was still my shot. I should have grabbed a bar cue, but oh well.

Its probably not the same rules everywhere, this is just what happened to me.

JM
Click to expand...

Like I said. I think the Concession rule is badly interpreted very often by league and tournament operators. The link below is from the BCA Pool league website. Look at rule 1.44. It clearly talks about the intention of unscrewing your cue to concede that match.

The reason for this rule is because it used to be fairly common that a player would be on the hill, and about to pocket the match winning ball when his opponent would unscrew his cue. Thinking that the match was conceded to him, the player would just poke at the ball with no focus on making the ball. His opponent would jump up to play because you "missed" the shot. It is a sharking move that used to be very common.

http://www.playbca.com/Leagues/Rules/GeneralRules/tabid/369/Default.aspx

Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com
 
I remember reading in a rule book somewhere that if you break down your cue when your opponent is on GAME ball it is considered a forfeit.
I have a predator cue and a predator break shaft. This is a quick release. I can break the balls, walk over to the chair while making a quick turn of the shaft. I then put the playing shaft on. This takes no more time than just walking back to switch the entire cue.
I am not 100% sure that this is the internationally accepted rule. You would have to check with the tournament director. Don't ask the person you are playing. Many people will swear they are right about a certain rule until you take out a rule book.
 
Often when these kinds of things come up, I like to offer my opponent an opportunity to pull out the rule book, rack the balls, and see if he can throw the book at the table & run out the rest of the set. Being as he doesn't seem to be interested in shooting the match, just using the rule book to catch a win.
 
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