I would like your thoughts on calling the 8 ball in a tournament or money situation. Is it lose of game if you do not call the pocket or point to it? Even if it is obvious? I cant find anything in the rules that state it is an automatic lose by not clling the 8. Of course when just playing for a game it doesnt matter.
8 ball rule
- Thread starter rlb444
- Start date
Good question. BCA says that you need to call all balls unless obvious so I would think that goes for the eight ball also. However I have always made it a habit to call the eight ball and make sure that I get eye to eye contact.
APA requires you to mark the pocket. Money games it's best to make sure they know where you're going with it.
APA requires you to mark the pocket. Money games it's best to make sure they know where you're going with it.
You and your opponent have to agree on which rules you're playing by. As dabarbr pointed out, there are lots of different rules -- that's because most people don't bother to read them, they just go by local tradition. The official World Standardized Rules are HERE but those rules also require you to call ball and pocket for all shots.
How about this as an operating procedure: Make sure you always clearly call the eight and get eye contact. When your opponent makes an obvious shot, do not protest it even if he did not scream out the call and bang his fist by the pocket.
I never expect my opponent to call an obvious shot , I never call my pockets. I will call something if it is not obvious . Most of the time I know what they are going to do before they do it .
There are so many different rules it's difficult to remember where you are at times, I therefore make it a point to always call the 8 ball whenever, wherever or whoever I am playing. Nobody's going to get pissed or question you about calling the 8 ball I imagine.
Whether it's obvious or not, just call every shot and that will eliminate any questions.
Who's Paying Attention?
Do you use a coin or the chalk cube or something else?
Should you call it and mark it? What if your opponent is too busy doing something else to pay attention and not look you in the eye and confirm your call?
I have had this happen in bars many times.
After an honest, but unsuccessful attempt to get my opponents attention to confirm my call, I will often see if one of my opponents friends or acquaintances is paying attention and let them know what my intended pocket is. I suppose that person could deny that I called the pocket. It might be a better idea to let one of my friends or acquaintances know what pocket I am shooting at.
What is the best way to mark it?
Do you use a coin or the chalk cube or something else?
Should you call it and mark it? What if your opponent is too busy doing something else to pay attention and not look you in the eye and confirm your call?
I have had this happen in bars many times.
After an honest, but unsuccessful attempt to get my opponents attention to confirm my call, I will often see if one of my opponents friends or acquaintances is paying attention and let them know what my intended pocket is. I suppose that person could deny that I called the pocket. It might be a better idea to let one of my friends or acquaintances know what pocket I am shooting at.
You can use just about anything as a pocket marker...except chalk.
Personally...I do try, when ever possible, to just call every pocket, mostly because it helps me to stay in focus. When it comes to the 8 ball...I will stop and wait until my opponent acknowledges the call in some manner. This is in regards to one on one play. When it comes to league play, there are typically plenty of people around to observe the shot.
Lisa
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Just wait for him to return and ask "Is it my shot yet?" A: "no, it is still my shot, but since you were gone, I decided to be kind to your lousy ass and wait just so you could not call any stupid rulings against me".
There should be a rule (there is) about a player who is not at the table for 2 minutes--its called loss of game aginst them (unless said player asked for leave to (say) go to the bathroom.)
However, there shold ALSO be a rule where any time clock for the player at the table does NOT start or continue unless the opponent is also at the table.
leehayes...Like several others said, it depends on what rules you're playing by. I have personally seen loss of game (and match), because the pocket marker wasn't close enough to the pocket (it covered the closest diamond to the pocket where the 8 was shot into). This created an uproar, and when the refs came over, they upheld the loss. Ridiculous if you ask me...but rules are rules. Rule of thumb: Know the rules, and make sure your opponent is playing by the same rules you are.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com