call pocket question

KCRack'em

I'm not argumentative!!!!
Silver Member
Rather than hijack another thread, I'll post a question:

If I'm in the shooting position, is it proper for the opponent to ask which ball and pocket I'm shooting? My preference is to wait till after I shoot and call a foul. Seems to me that asking me while I am shooting is also a foul. But my league has rules unlike anything, anywhere. Seriously.

Maybe I'm the nit, here, but I can live with that. I also should say that I never call a foul for not calling the pocket. I leave it to karma.

Karl
 
I don't think it is that out of line if you are sitting in your chair and really don't know what the shooter is attempting. Essentially you are asking him not as a shark move, but really for his benefit so that no foul is called after the fact if the ball happens to go in a hole. At the same time of course, you are protecting yourself as well. :grin:
 
If the shot is not obvious you should have called it before you went into your shooting stance.

And yes, you must give your opponent the benefit of the doubt if you go into your shooting stance without having called your shot.

Had you called it, he would not have asked.
 
agreed

I call before I go into position. Yet some people wait until just before the player strokes to ask, even on obvious shots. That is what chaps me!
It's a call pocket league, so I do that and then get grief over combos: "It's not in the rules, but we've always done it that way."
Karl
 
Rather than hijack another thread, I'll post a question:

If I'm in the shooting position, is it proper for the opponent to ask which ball and pocket I'm shooting? My preference is to wait till after I shoot and call a foul. Seems to me that asking me while I am shooting is also a foul. But my league has rules unlike anything, anywhere. Seriously.

Maybe I'm the nit, here, but I can live with that. I also should say that I never call a foul for not calling the pocket. I leave it to karma.

Karl

I don't know the specific rules that your league uses but here's the BCA/WPA rule on calling shots as I remember it:

In call shot, the ball and pocket must be indicated if they are not obvious. Details like cushion(s) or other balls contacted / pocketed are irrelevant. Bank, shots, kicks, and combos should never be considered obvious and must be called.

If the shot is not obvious and you have not called it, then IMO he has the right to ask (before you pull the trigger, not while you are in mid-stroke).

I know a thing or two about Karma, but if someone fails to call the ball and the pocket on a bank, kick, or combo..I will call the foul and take ball in hand.
 
If the shot is not obvious you should have called it before you went into your shooting stance.

And yes, you must give your opponent the benefit of the doubt if you go into your shooting stance without having called your shot.

Had you called it, he would not have asked.

do as this man says!
 
Depends on your league rules.

If BCA pool league, then Rule 1.17.2 applies: "If you are not certain what shot your opponent is attempting, it is your responsibility to ask. You must ask before your opponent is down on the shot..."
 
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Rather than hijack another thread, I'll post a question:

If I'm in the shooting position, is it proper for the opponent to ask which ball and pocket I'm shooting? My preference is to wait till after I shoot and call a foul. Seems to me that asking me while I am shooting is also a foul. But my league has rules unlike anything, anywhere. Seriously.

Maybe I'm the nit, here, but I can live with that. I also should say that I never call a foul for not calling the pocket. I leave it to karma.

Karl

I used to play someone who randomly did this, sometimes it was a str8 in shot that was close to another ball (while playing 8 ball) and he would stop me mid stroke and ask which ball. It's his right to know I guess but it would throw me off a bit sometimes.

I find it best when someone asks you that, stand up, answer them, chalk the tip, decide if you really want to do that shot, then tell them the shot again or if you changed your mind, then finally get down to shoot. If you see a better shot make sure to thank them as you didn't see that shot before.

Also what rules are you playing by where its a foul to make a ball accidently in an uncalled pocket? Usually that would just be loss of turn not a foul. Harsh rules to me but I guess it really doesn't matter since it shouldn't come up that often.
 
Saying "Call it, please" is not out of line ... on any shot ... provided you are actually asking for clarification. Lined up bank shots, obvious combos, etc ... well, you can say "just point at the pocket or something, cause it's not a straight in shot".

Personally I like the rule where you call every shot ... if you don't call it then it doesn't count, very simple.
 
Saying "Call it, please" is not out of line ... on any shot ... provided you are actually asking for clarification. Lined up bank shots, obvious combos, etc ... well, you can say "just point at the pocket or something, cause it's not a straight in shot".

Personally I like the rule where you call every shot ... if you don't call it then it doesn't count, very simple.

Paulie, I agree with you and CigarDave 100%!! Seriously, how hard is it to just call ball and pocket?! I just do it...takes all the air out of the argument, and leaves little room for speculation...it is what it is. I have included it as part of my routine, especially while moving from shot to shot. It actually aids to my focus...keeping on the task at hand.

Lisa
 
Got to stop him before the shot

My preference is to wait till after I shoot and call a foul. Seems to me that asking me while I am shooting is also a foul.
Karl

It's not realistic to try to call a foul after the shot. The ensuing argument will go to the shooter unless a ref was watching. He simply argues that he called it and you didn't hear him. It may seem rude to interrupt a player's concentration with "What shot are you playing?" but it is also rude not to call a non-obvious shot. If opponent is making you call obvious shots then you can call a ref over to discipline him.
 
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