8-Ball Rules Question

SnookerSandy

SnookerSandy

Registered
This comment recently came up on Facebook: Played a few games of 8-Ball yesterday. The other guy broke and made a stripe. He started shooting solids? I ask him what he was doing and he said the table was open after the break. So now I'm wondering who came up with that rule? Perhaps someone trying to give his girlfriend a chance?
You can imagine the comments that followed, as numerous people explained to him that those were the VNEA & BCA rules, etc. Finally I stated the following:
By making the shooter shoot a CALLED shot after the break to determine his group, it takes away the possibility of being penalized for a good break (they break up great and the stripes are a connect-the-dots out but you made a solid on the break and can't even SEE a solid). Better players prefer the open-after-the-break rule because it rewards good play. Weak players prefer that the breaker gets what he makes because they usually aren't breaking and it makes it less likely that the breaker will run out.
Then he said: ‎" Better players prefer the open-after-the-break rule because it rewards good play." Give me a break! Even before leagues it was you are what you make. Running out is what it is all about! Better players should be able to get out with what they made not have the option of shooting the other just because there is no shot!
And I replied: Why not take a poll amongst all the really good players you know. Ask them which they would prefer. Then ask all the weaker players. If your response is anything other than what I described above I will be greatly surprised. Go on AZ Billiards and post the question in the forums. www.AZBilliards.com.
So how about it folks? What do you prefer and why? How good do you play? Please be honest. Thanks.
 
My APA league you have to shoot what you make on the break.

My BCA league is open after the break regardless of what you make

I like that latter
 
I don't even find it a question of preferrance. There is only one correct set of rules, the WPA Rules. Everyone around the world should play according to those rules, that's why it is called the WORLD pool-billiard association. It's that simple.
 
I don't care either way, so long as I know whcih rules are in place before we start. It's really no big deal. I play games both ways between league and tournaments, I don't believe it affects the overall scope of things much in the long run.
 
MaxEnglish said:
I don't even find it a question of preferrance. There is only one correct set of rules, the WPA Rules. Everyone around the world should play according to those rules, that's why it is called the WORLD pool-billiard association. It's that simple.
Click to expand...


Agree. I am a mid level player and like the open after the break rule better.

To be fair though, WPA has rules for 8 Ball and rules for Black Ball, which is almost the same as 8 Ball but is played mostly in the UK, I think. Even in Black Ball the table is open after the break although there are other differences from the 8 Ball rules.

I just checked and Australian 8 Ball Rules also have table open after the break with one change from the WPA rules. If ball is made on the break player may take those balls regardless of what happens on the next shot. If he selects the other balls, he must make one on the next shot or table still open.
 
The table is considered open after the break according to both WPA and BCA.
 
SnookerSandy said:
This comment recently came up on Facebook: Played a few games of 8-Ball yesterday. The other guy broke and made a stripe. He started shooting solids? I ask him what he was doing and he said the table was open after the break. So now I'm wondering who came up with that rule?
Click to expand...

This rule was added to "compensate" for having to make an "Open Break". It exists in sever rule sets, notably BCA.

So how about it folks? What do you prefer and why? How good do you play? Please be honest.
Click to expand...

I prefer the "Table is always open after the break".
 
I like open table. I think weaker players like the rule where you are what you make because it may keep the better player from having a open shot and running out. I also like call ball and pocket. I don't like having to call every rail, carom, etc. Just call the ball and pocket it is going in.

Don't ever play in a bar without knowing all the rules even then they will be made up as the game swings to your favor.
 
I like BCA rules better. IT rewards a good break shot.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
 
The way I look at it... the break is a slop shot. Why should you be what you made on slop. All the break does is serve to determine if you have another shot and open up the game. Otherwise, we would all be straight pool breaking.

The table being open after the break serves to make the shooter call and make a skilled shot, not a slop. If you are worried about people being able to run out easier, shouldn't it be easier for you are well when you get to the table? That's like looking a gift horse in the mouth.

Greg
 
All those league & Association rules are great when you're playing under their sanction. But most games are played under "bar rules"
Bar rules change from state to state , city to city . In the Northeast , they change if you cross the dang street .
Best advice I can give is agree on the dang rules before you start shootin !
specially if yer gonna play fer money . . .
 
I made up a chart comparing the major differences between BCA and APA 8-ball rules. If anyone else can point me to other prominent league rules (VNEA, TAP), I can add it to this chart.
 

Attachments

  • Screen shot 2010-09-06 at 1.16.06 PM.png
    Screen shot 2010-09-06 at 1.16.06 PM.png
    54.2 KB · Views: 3,006
ctyhntr said:
I made up a chart comparing the major differences between BCA and APA 8-ball rules. If anyone else can point me to other prominent league rules (VNEA, TAP), I can add it to this chart.
Click to expand...
Doesn't the APA require you to call the 8 ball by marking the pocket in a specific way?
 
Bob Jewett said:
Doesn't the APA require you to call the 8 ball by marking the pocket in a specific way?
Click to expand...

That is correct. You must actually mark the pocket you are shooting the 8 into in APA. (Though in regular league matches many folks agree to call them, without the marker. During official tournaments the marking rule is enforced, as I understand it.)

And if I'm not mistaken, BCApl removed the ball-in-hand-behind the headstring rule for scratches on the break just recently, changing to simple ball-in-hand anywhere. Again, that's according to my memory of a post here on AZB, so take that for what it's worth.
 
Last edited:
I think most weaker players have no idea how any particular rule could give a better player an advantage.
I agree with the poster who said the World pool rules should apply everywhere.
Most sports or games have the same rules where ever they are played.
Example; tennis,golf,bowling,baseball.
 
justadub said:
That is correct. You must actually mark the pocket you are shooting the 8 into in APA. (Though in regular league matches many folks agree to call them, without the marker. During official tournaments the marking rule is enforced, as I understand it.)

And if I'm not mistaken, BCApl removed the ball-in-hand-behind the headstring rule for scratches on the break just recently, changing to simple ball-in-hand anywhere. Again, that's according to my memory of a post here on AZB, so take that for what it's worth.
Click to expand...

This is correct...as of 06/01/10, a scratch on the break now results in BIH anywhere on the table, and no longer confined to the kitchen.

I, too, tend to prefer the ruling that the table is open until you 'suit'. It is the advantage/reward of winning the break...which is why the break is one of the most important shots you will take in a game. I do not feel it is a 'slop' shot. There are those of us who have worked very hard on our breaks to make them more accurate and consistent. The break can be the difference between yourself or your opponent winning the game.

I have played in a local womens' league for over 10 yrs now, and they simply refuse to move to the open table rule. It can be quit frustrating to drop a ball on the break, only find that the suit that dropped, has the most difficult out....and you're stuck with it. It completely removes the importance of, not only the break, but a great break shot.

Lisa
 
I prefer it to be open after the break. I play in APA so we play you are what you make unless you make each ball, but I rather have it open.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top