8 ball rule question

[Bob Jewett]

But there is no inconsistency. The BCA rule is: The first ball contacted by the cue ball on each shot must belong to the shooter’s group, except when the table is open. ...

The BCA rule is this:

3.4 Open Table / Choosing Groups​

​

Before groups are determined, the table is said to be “open,” and before each shot, the shooter​

must call his intended ball. If the shooter legally pockets his called ball, the corresponding​

group becomes his, and his opponent is assigned the other group. If he fails to legally pocket​

his called ball, the table remains open and play passes to the other player. When the table is​

“open”, any object ball may be struck first except the eight ball.​

If you meant BCAPL (CSI), the rule is this:

2-5 Table Open After the Break​

The table is always open on the shot after the break and remains open until groups are established. When the table is open, all object balls except the 8-ball are legal object balls. For combination shots, a ball of one group may be contacted first to pocket a ball of the other group. The 8-ball may be part of such a combination if it is not the first ball contacted by the cue ball.​

 

[BC21]

The BCA rule is: The first ball contacted by the cue ball on each shot must belong to the shooter’s group, except when the table is open.

The BCA rule is this:

3.4 Open Table / Choosing Groups​

​

Before groups are determined, the table is said to be “open,” and before each shot, the shooter​

must call his intended ball. If the shooter legally pockets his called ball, the corresponding​

group becomes his, and his opponent is assigned the other group. If he fails to legally pocket​

his called ball, the table remains open and play passes to the other player. When the table is​

“open”, any object ball may be struck first except the eight ball.​

If you meant BCAPL (CSI), the rule is this:

2-5 Table Open After the Break​

The table is always open on the shot after the break and remains open until groups are established. When the table is open, all object balls except the 8-ball are legal object balls. For combination shots, a ball of one group may be contacted first to pocket a ball of the other group. The 8-ball may be part of such a combination if it is not the first ball contacted by the cue ball.​

Yes, same thing. I got the rule straight from the official BCA website at https://bca-pool.com

 

[hang-the-9]

Yeah, I get that's the reasoning - I just don't think it's sound. The called ball is the "on" suit for that shot - no reason hitting the "off" suit first should be allowed.

pj
chgo

Think of it as the game being in limbo state like purgatory before the first called shot being made, or something akin to the quantum mechanics ideas, it can be anything up to the point it actually is something. Since you don't have a suit selection yet, there is no ball you "are" yet, so both balls are legal to hit. Remember it's not just the first shot you make, it's the first "LEGAL" shot, so just shooting the ball does not mean anything since you can miss it, you can scratch, some other foul, and the shot does not count. It has to go in the pocket, without any other foul. Till that happens, your selection is in limbo. It may be easier to view it this way, the 8 ball game is not fully started till the first legal shot is made as far as who is shooting what. Just the act of calling the ball does not mean anything yet, that is still the "limbo state", it can go either way until the shot is completed. And since you can't foul due to some theoretical future outcome, when you shoot, you are not breaking any rules till that outcome happens. Once the shot is done and the future is set, your shot is already over, when you actually hit the first ball nothing was yet solidified.

It would be like 9 ball if you make the 9, then the cueball scratched. You already shot the 9 in so it's in, the scratch happened after the shot was over. But till the cueball stops moving, the making of the 9 ball is still in limbo untill the shot is complete so it's not yet a win. Same thing with an open table in 8 ball, the shot is in limbo till everything stops.

 

[hang-the-9]

For those who don't like "take what you make", I will point out Darren Appleton ran an international tournament series with that rule. It was to make the game tougher for the pro player and more enjoyable for the audience.

I believe he was spot on.

I do agree it makes the game a bit harder for the pro levels, but it can also lead to some unfair results when you make a good break but have nothing to shoot at, forcing basically a turn over. Like the hated 3 point break rule, you can break hard, make 2 balls but due to some bad luck not make the 3rd past the string and sit while your opponent runs out your break. The act of trying to prevent soft breaks, or easy run outs in 8 ball, creates other issues that can be as bad as what you are trying to "fix".
There is no single "best" here.