2 point foul?
- Thread starter slach
- Start date
4.3 Opening Break Shot
The following rules apply to the opening break shot:
(a) The cue ball begins in hand behind the head string.
(b) If no called ball is pocketed, the cue ball and two object balls must each be driven to a rail or the shot is a breaking foul. (See 8.4 Driven to a Rail.) This is penalized by subtracting two points from the breaker’s score. (See 4.10 Breaking Foul.) The non-breaking player may accept the balls in position or may require the breaker to play another opening break shot, until he satisfies the requirements for an opening break or the non-shooting player accepts the table in position. (See 4.11 Serious Fouls)
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4.10 Breaking Foul
A breaking foul is penalized by the loss of two points as mentioned under 4.3 Opening Break Shot, as well as a possible re-break. If both a standard foul and a breaking foul happen on one shot, it is considered a breaking foul.
The following rules apply to the opening break shot:
(a) The cue ball begins in hand behind the head string.
(b) If no called ball is pocketed, the cue ball and two object balls must each be driven to a rail or the shot is a breaking foul. (See 8.4 Driven to a Rail.) This is penalized by subtracting two points from the breaker’s score. (See 4.10 Breaking Foul.) The non-breaking player may accept the balls in position or may require the breaker to play another opening break shot, until he satisfies the requirements for an opening break or the non-shooting player accepts the table in position. (See 4.11 Serious Fouls)
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4.10 Breaking Foul
A breaking foul is penalized by the loss of two points as mentioned under 4.3 Opening Break Shot, as well as a possible re-break. If both a standard foul and a breaking foul happen on one shot, it is considered a breaking foul.
?!
BTW: Reminds me of when we were kids and didn’t yet know all the rules. Thinking we were only risking 2 points, we would actually try to leave the CB corner-hooked on the opening break, not realizing that a re-break wasn’t mandatory if you scratched, and a loose ball near the pocket plus BIH usually equals ‘sell-out’!
This is a one point foul and counts towards the three foul. There is no choice to rerack and rebreak.
Failure to legal break is a two point foul and does not count towards three foul rule. Incoming player can accept table as is or ask for rebreak.
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Waiting for an official opinion (?). If the last line in rule 4.10 stated: “either” instead of “both”, it would clearly be a breaking foul. I have always played it as such, and though the definition of ‘driven to a rail’ might well include a scratch, it has never qualified as a legal opening break either, so it should thus constitute a breaking foul (?).
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OK. After rereading the rules, I see now that even if you scratch, you have technically met the opening break requirements (color me chagrined). One point penalty, no re-break option.
Where is @Bob Jewett when you need him?