Mosconi cup break rule question

3 balls must go past the head string... balls pocketed on the break count as a ball past the headstring
 
Just passing thru

It looks like 3 (including pocketed balls) have to pass the head string on the break. At first- I thot that meant they had to end up past the line. Guess not.

I was wrong-again.
 
I also believe that balls pocketed in the corner pockets past the head string only count as one.
 
Quatsch83 said:
What exactly is the rule? I can't seem to find it in writing on the website.

Why isn't this break illegal in the Souquet vs. Dominguez match from day 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV5XJOGQPOg&feature=channel#t=4m35s

Souquet makes the 1 in the side but only two balls cross the head string. Don't 3 have to cross?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I hope this years Masconi Cup is a success, as far as the ruling I once played in a 9ball tournament and we were having issues with the soft break playing nine ball also (imagine that.) I broke soft like a nit and made the corner ball the one ball deflected off the rack and caught the point of the side pocket. My opponent hollered foul, but there was a ball past the headstring and the one ball did in fact pass the side pocket only to catch the point and return towards the racking area. Maybe they will eventually come out of the traditional deer in the spotlight mode and figure out ten ball is emerging as the best form of rotation.

A players energy should not be directed towards the rack, 90% of nine ball is in the break. If they switch it to Ten Ball then we will find out more often who the best rotation player in the World is more often. It's just my humble opinion that the soft break looks redundant as the wing ball seeks constant refuge for the corner pocket while using this awful soft break. Any way good luck to Saun Putnam (member of team New Gaurd) i hope the Americans win as we did back in the late 90's. I was honored to get the chance to compete and represent my Country in the Masconi Cup, it was a great adventure that I will never forget.
 
Last edited:
Quatsch83 said:
What exactly is the rule? I can't seem to find it in writing on the website.

Why isn't this break illegal in the Souquet vs. Dominguez match from day 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV5XJOGQPOg&feature=channel#t=4m35s

Souquet makes the 1 in the side but only two balls cross the head string. Don't 3 have to cross?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I hope this years Masconi Cup is a success, as far as the ruling I once played in a 9ball tournament and we were having issues with the soft break playing nine ball also (imagine that.) I broke soft like a nit and made the corner ball the one ball deflected off the rack and caught the point of the side pocket. My opponent hollered foul, but there was a ball past the headstring and the one ball did in fact pass the side pocket only to catch the point and return towards the racking area. Maybe they will eventually come out of the traditional deer in the spotlight mode and figure out ten ball is emerging as the best form of rotation.

A players energy should not be directed towards the rack, 90% of nine ball is in the break. If they switch it to Ten Ball then we will find out more often who the best rotation player in the World is more often. It's just my humble opinion that the soft break looks redundant as the wing ball seeks permanent refuge for the corner pocket while using this awful soft break. Any way good luck to Saun Putnam (member of team New Gaurd) i hope the Americans win as we did back in the late 90's.
 
stick8 said:
lots of good stories, but where can you find the written RULE????:confused::confused:
Click to expand...

The rule is that a player must get three object balls to pass the point of the side pocket, any ball pocketed on the opening break is considered a ball that passes the side. This was the rule in the past when they had the soft break issues, what is actually considered passing the point is debatable. One thing is for sure they will be having issues with the 9 ball soft break and trying to come up with an impossible solution to the constant wing ball problem. Ohh sorry I just realized I have some straight pool to practice, gearing up for the Derby City Classic 14.1 challenge. When I go into the rack playin 14.1 you don't have to worry about three balls passing the side pocket, Wow what have they done to 9 ball? Three balls must pass the side what a joke indeed.
 
stick8 said:
lots of good stories, but where can you find the written RULE????:confused::confused:
Click to expand...
In the official program, which was being given away free at the event. The simple part is the balls-behind-the-line requirement. The tricky part is what happens if that isn't met. I'll see if I can find a program.
 
I think this rule is absolutely stupid. Switch to ten-ball and all the problems with the break just go away.

Nine-ball may still have a part to play, but not at professional level.
 
The Break

Bob Jewett said:
In the official program, which was being given away free at the event. The simple part is the balls-behind-the-line requirement. The tricky part is what happens if that isn't met. I'll see if I can find a program.
Click to expand...

Line items # 7 & 8 from the program

7. The penalty for an unsuccessful break as per above guidelines is a loss of visit.
8. The incoming team will have the option of (1, playing the lowest numbered ball) (2 pushing out), or (3 putting the other side back in).

Two other things of note. The balls were racked with the 9 ball on the spot, and someone mentioned 3 balls had to be driven past the side pockets. They had to be driven past the headstring. They didn't have to remain behind the headstring, and pocketed balls counted towards the three balls needed for a legal break. This break rule really got the better of our players on a couple of occasions. Mr. Jewitt, It was great talking with you. Hope to see you at DCC! :smile:
 
Palmetto cue said:
... This break rule really got the better of our players on a couple of occasions. ...
Click to expand...
I wasn't counting, but I think the US team gave up the table far more often for "soft" breaks than the Europeans. Some of the invalid breaks happened when balls happened to kiss near the foot rail and only one ball escaped to the kitchen.
 
Break Rules

Bob Jewett said:
I wasn't counting, but I think the US team gave up the table far more often for "soft" breaks than the Europeans. Some of the invalid breaks happened when balls happened to kiss near the foot rail and only one ball escaped to the kitchen.
Click to expand...

I saw it the same way. The only US player that I don't remember getting an illegal break call was Hatch. Do you think this rule was directed at Corey? We certainly struggled with the break rules, but it did add for some excitement. I wasn't too crazy for the rule myself, but it may be worth more of a look. What are your thoughts?
 
Bob Jewett said:
I wasn't counting, but I think the US team gave up the table far more often for "soft" breaks than the Europeans. Some of the invalid breaks happened when balls happened to kiss near the foot rail and only one ball escaped to the kitchen.
Click to expand...
I wasn't counting either, but I would say that we lost control of the table after the break at least 6 times over the course of the 4 day event. I wouldn't be surprised if the actual number was 10 times. In my opinion, a better solution would be to use a radar gun and have a minimum mph on the cue ball when breaking. There were a few occasions when it seemed like the players were trying to break hard, but the balls just didn't spread the way they should have. Maybe the rack wasn't tight enough. The player shouldn't be penalized for that.
 
Palmetto cue said:
I saw it the same way. The only US player that I don't remember getting an illegal break call was Hatch. Do you think this rule was directed at Corey? We certainly struggled with the break rules, but it did add for some excitement. I wasn't too crazy for the rule myself, but it may be worth more of a look. What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
The three ball rule has been used in Eurotour events to prevent soft breaks. I think they also rack with the 1 on the spot, and tap the table, so the wing ball is probably pretty consistent.

With a high rack (9 on the spot) the 1 ball goes regularly. Many breaks had the 1 going above the side pocket, or hitting the point and coming back down table (and not crossing the headstring).

I think two other break rules would be worth a try: first shot after the break has to be a push-out, and breaker shoots the second shot regardless of balls pocketed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top