FOULS IN POOL ... Everything You Need to Know

[DynoDan]

See the examples in Diagram 2 (and the surrounding discussion) here:

“Legal Fouls” (BD, November 2016)​

For example, the shot at the top of the diagram would be easy with an elevated double hit.

Other examples from Bob Jewett can be found here:

“A Modest Proposal” (BD, January, 2006)
​

Again, I don't think we want to give players a "free pass" to double hit the ball just by angling the cue.

Also, see the following video, showing that the logic (or lack of logic) is similar to the old "45 degree rule" preventing players from hitting into a frozen CB with a less-angled hit:

Luckily, that rule is no longer used in any league system I am aware of. The VNEA got rid of it a couple of years ago in response to the video.

Those ‘big advantage’ situations would be rare, and if they did occur, would be merely your good luck.
Why is it ok to give players a ‘free pass’ to touch OBs, but not to allow double hits?
One typical way to avoid a double hit when the CB is close, is to jack up and draw. The 45 degree issue is merely a vague suggestion, and jacking up at all is verifying that you indeed recognize the balls are too close (even a distance less than 1/2” can still be a legal hit if you pull out your spare shaft). Shooting with a level cue would just be too flagrant a violation of the long accepted rules, and would likely add to those ‘big advantage’ situations.
Personally, I prefer to play traditional ‘ALL FOUL’ rules, and in a perfect world, with thoroughly knowledgeable & honorable opponents. No world like that around here though.

 

[MattPoland]

Any thoughts on whether this was a double hit or clean?

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I also edited the video to zoom in closer, slow it down more, and put a visual indicator on the original object ball position.

I'm assuming the appropriate approach is to first predict where you think the tangent line will send the cueball, then observe where the cueball travelled, and then judge whether it held to that line within reason of the shot executed.

 

[dr_dave]

Any thoughts on whether this was a double hit or clean?

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I also edited the video to zoom in closer, slow it down more, and put a visual indicator on the original object ball position.

I'm assuming the appropriate approach is to first predict where you think the tangent line will send the cueball, then observe where the cueball travelled, and then judge whether it held to that line within reason of the shot executed.

That is the correct approach, and it does look like a foul.

 

[SeniorTom]

What is the rule on committing a foul? I was in a situation that was somewhat relaxed while playing pool. People leave the room for various reasons and come back and sometimes the game has been started. I have had opponents commit a foul, not tell anybody, and not know it till a couple shots later when someone else brings it up, and this happened while folks were a bit away from the table taken care of simple tasks. Should players who knowingly commit a foul, call it on themselves? Especially after his opponent returns to the table? Keep in mind this is a two-bit fun tournament we play every now and then.

 

[dr_dave]

What is the rule on committing a foul? I was in a situation that was somewhat relaxed while playing pool. People leave the room for various reasons and come back and sometimes the game has been started. I have had opponents commit a foul, not tell anybody, and not know it till a couple shots later when someone else brings it up, and this happened while folks were a bit away from the table taken care of simple tasks. Should players who knowingly commit a foul, call it on themselves? Especially after his opponent returns to the table? Keep in mind this is a two-bit fun tournament we play every now and then.

It is certainly good sportsmanship to call fouls on yourself; but not all players do this, and it is not explicitly required by the rules. Players should certainly admit to a foul when their opponent points one out, assuming the foul was clear.

But in a “two-bit fun tournament,” you can decide amongst yourselves what is proper or not.