Challenge the table

[Lowell]

I miss that when people play off the wall and have a good time. The guys coming in with their own sticks, taking forever on a shot and being incredibly way too serious takes the fun out of it.

The games go by a lot faster among people who bring their own cues.

When non-pool people come in and play, it can take like 45 minutes to finish one rack.

 

[CajunPopeye]

lost because I didn't touch the 8.

What? I've played bar rules and have never heard of that one.

"Another quirk I come across sometimes is "one spot", where if your opponent scratches you can only place the cue ball on the head spot."
Do you mean in the "kitchen"? That's a common bar room rule where I'm from. It's different if they're playing BCA or APA rules. Behind the first two diamonds, aiming past the diamonds, not behind.

 

[maha]

the old bar rules for 8 ball was, if you only had the 8 ball left and you scratched or did not make a good hit on it you lost the game.
or lost if it went into a pocket you did not call.

now many play cue ball in hand.

 

[Lowell]

What? I've played bar rules and have never heard of that one.

"Another quirk I come across sometimes is "one spot", where if your opponent scratches you can only place the cue ball on the head spot."
Do you mean in the "kitchen"? That's a common bar room rule where I'm from. It's different if they're playing BCA or APA rules. Behind the first two diamonds, aiming past the diamonds, not behind.

"One spot" is like in the kitchen except you can only place the cue ball on the head spot and nowhere else.

 

[CajunPopeye]

head spot

Where is that? Dead center?

 

[Lowell]

Where is that? Dead center?

Yes

 

[Cornerman]

What? I've played bar rules and have never heard of that

It was the standard 8-ball rules per the rule book into the 1970’s. When Mosconi played Fats on TV, they played with that rule. Fats lost a game like this.

 

[CajunPopeye]

Fats lost a game like this.

That's a crazy rule.

 

[maha]

actually its a good rule especially in bars where balls cannot get spotted.

in a pool room it would add a big measure of skill and thoughtful moving to the game instead of a break and run out.

its the way it is now but ball in hand has changed pool if many different ways,

 

[fastone371]

actually its a good rule especially in bars where balls cannot get spotted.

in a pool room it would add a big measure of skill and thoughtful moving to the game instead of a break and run out.

its the way it is now but ball in hand has changed pool if many different ways,

Which rule are we talking of??

 

[Lowell]

actually its a good rule especially in bars where balls cannot get spotted.

in a pool room it would add a big measure of skill and thoughtful moving to the game instead of a break and run out.

its the way it is now but ball in hand has changed pool if many different ways,

Why would the balls being spotted make a difference? The money ball is still on the table.

I personally think that BCA or even APA rules for 8 ball make for a much more enjoyable and tactical game than any "bar rules" I've played.

 

[maha]

they had rules because object balls would not come back, so you could not spot any balls.

and an 8 ball going in a wrong pocket or before it was last would be loss of game. same as if you made it and scratched on the break.

 

[Lowell]

they had rules because object balls would not come back, so you could not spot any balls.

and an 8 ball going in a wrong pocket or before it was last would be loss of game. same as if you made it and scratched on the break.

The "bar rule" I'm referring to is automatically losing the game just because the cue ball doesn't make contact with the 8 (with neither the cue ball or 8 ball going in a pocket)

 

[maha]

that was standard as it was a scratch on the 8. and was a good rule or with no ball in hand rule people could just roll the cue ball where they wanted to.

when you go to the 8 you had better hit it or lose the game.

and also you had to make an honest attempt to hit your object balls when it was your turn.

that was the rule on bar tables.

in pool rooms, we played often shootout so it wasn't a loss not hitting the 8.