A few 8 ball pool rule questions

Exoyo

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Hello,

I can't seem to fund the answers to these questions anywhere on the internet;

1. What happens if you hit a called ball In the wrong pocket? And if it's an obvious shot that you don't call aloud, how would your opponent know if you you hit It in the wrong pocket?
2. What happens if you hit an uncalled ball of your group into a pocket that was or was not called?
3. If you miss a ball but still hit the rails, is it still a foul?
4. Can you call safety on when the only ball left is is the 8 ball, and and if so what is the the point of doing so?
 
Hello,

I can't seem to fund the answers to these questions anywhere on the internet;

1. What happens if you hit a called ball In the wrong pocket? And if it's an obvious shot that you don't call aloud, how would your opponent know if you you hit It in the wrong pocket?
2. What happens if you hit an uncalled ball of your group into a pocket that was or was not called?
3. If you miss a ball but still hit the rails, is it still a foul?
4. Can you call safety on when the only ball left is is the 8 ball, and and if so what is the the point of doing so?

I think the confusion you are having is due to the difference between a call pocket game, and a slop game.

If it's call pocket, regardless of whether you call it or not if you don't make the ball you intend, it is loss of turn (there is an expectation that you will be honest if you shoot a shot and don't call the pocket). If you are shooting a shot that is not obvious you should "call pocket" obvious shots do not typically need to be called.

3. Yes if you miss a ball and hit x number of rails it is a foul (unless local rules otherwise dictate)

4. No, the point of calling a safety before you shoot, as opposed to just shooting a safety, is that if you make a ball you still forfeit your turn. So, just shoot a safety, no need to call.


***Edited to add: I am not an instructor, far from it lol, but I have done a lot of reading on rules, many sharp people contribute here so I'm sure if I steered you wrong it will be corrected
 
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I think the confusion you are having is due to the difference between a call pocket game, and a slop game.

If it's call pocket, regardless of whether you call it or not if you don't make the ball you intend, it is loss of turn (there is an expectation that you will be honest if you shoot a shot and don't call the pocket). If you are shooting a shot that is not obvious you should "call pocket" obvious shots do not typically need to be called.

3. Yes if you miss a ball and hit x number of rails it is a foul (unless local rules otherwise dictate)

4. No, the point of calling a safety before you shoot, as opposed to just shooting a safety, is that if you make a ball you still forfeit your turn. So, just shoot a safety, no need to call.

You said if you don't make the intended ball it's a loss of turn. Does that count as a foul and the other player has the ball in hand, or does your turn just end?

Thanks for such a speedy response!
 
Hello,

I can't seem to fund the answers to these questions anywhere on the internet;

1. What happens if you hit a called ball In the wrong pocket? And if it's an obvious shot that you don't call aloud, how would your opponent know if you you hit It in the wrong pocket?
2. What happens if you hit an uncalled ball of your group into a pocket that was or was not called?
3. If you miss a ball but still hit the rails, is it still a foul?
4. Can you call safety on when the only ball left is is the 8 ball, and and if so what is the the point of doing so?

These are the rules per the BCA Pool League I play in. Can't vouch for other leagues.

1) Called ball in wrong pocket - ball stays down and your inning is over. Not sure how an obvious shot can go in a wrong pocket but in any event if a called ball goes in a wrong pocket your inning is over. Typically all banks and combinations should be called.

2) What happens when an uncalled ball goes in a pocket depends on what else occurred. If you made your called shot then you continue to shoot. In any case, the uncalled ball stays down. As long as it was a legal shot (contact one of your group first) there is no foul.

3) The rules of a foul are pretty straight forward. You must contact a legal object ball then an object ball or the cue ball must catch a rail. If you fan on the ball you called but the cue ball hits another of your balls first then something catches a rail, no foul. Or you fan on your shot and the cue ball comes off the rail into the called ball and something then catches a rail, no foul. But if you whiff and the CB hits nothing but rails or one of your opponent's balls first, it's a foul.

4) Don't really need to call a safety but you certainly might want to play one when on the 8 Ball. For example, if you don't have a good shot to make the 8 but have a good chance to hook your opponent and get BIH, you might play a safety on the 8. There is also the typical end game case where you are both on the 8 and your opponent leaves you tough, so you play safety to leave him tough back, like long or only a bank.
 
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You said if you don't make the intended ball it's a loss of turn. Does that count as a foul and the other player has the ball in hand, or does your turn just end?

Thanks for such a speedy response!

Only a foul if a rail is not contacted after contacting the players object ball. Otherwise simply a loss of turn.
 
Hello,

I can't seem to fund the answers to these questions anywhere on the internet;

1. What happens if you hit a called ball In the wrong pocket? And if it's an obvious shot that you don't call aloud, how would your opponent know if you you hit It in the wrong pocket?
2. What happens if you hit an uncalled ball of your group into a pocket that was or was not called?
3. If you miss a ball but still hit the rails, is it still a foul?
4. Can you call safety on when the only ball left is is the 8 ball, and and if so what is the the point of doing so?

There are different rules for 8 Ball depending on if you are competing in an organized format such as a league or tournament. In those cases you have to consult with the organizer to find out which rules they follow.

If you are just playing on your own, you can consult World Standardized Rules which you can find at the World Pool-Billiard Association web site.

Everyone should learn how to read rules. There are General Rules which include all games, then there are Regulations that offer help in making certain judgements, and then there are game-specific rules, such as Rules of 8-Ball, 9 Balll, 14.1, etc.

You have to learn how to interpret the rules once you read them. For example, you asked if something was a foul or not. Review the rules and try to understand the logic behind them. There are even examples of fouls in 8 Ball in the game-specific rules.

If after you review the rules to try to answer your questions, you still have questions, post back with your questions and where you are having difficulty interpreting the rules.
 
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