I occasionally play in a tournament that uses the APA rules for 8 ball. My question concerns jumping balls. I was informed that I had to use the cue I shoot with to jump balls per APA rules. I tried to find this rule on their web site and was unable to come up with it. Also, if I shoot with a j/b cue, am I allowed to break it down to the jump cue configuration to shoot a jump shot?
APA 8-Ball Rules Question
- Thread starter lstevedus
- Start date
yrs you can use the jb to shoot with and jump but no you are not allowed to break it down.
Been hearing recently that you have to jump with your shooting cue. But APA rules are a moving target...
It is covered in the "General" rules i n the Team Manual under the equipment section
33. EQUIPMENT
In general, any piece of equipment designed specifically for pocket billiards, with the exception of laser devices, is acceptable in APA League play. Special equipment, such as bridges and cue extenders, are legal. Cues with moveable parts will generally NOT be allowed.
Massé and jump shots are legal, when executed properly (see MASSÉ SHOTS and JUMP SHOTS described in Definitions), but such shots must be attempted using your regular shooting cue (see REGULAR SHOOTING CUE described in Definitions). Players are not allowed to break down their cues or switch to specialty cues (such as cues designed for jumping and/or breaking) to attempt massé or jump shots.
33. EQUIPMENT
In general, any piece of equipment designed specifically for pocket billiards, with the exception of laser devices, is acceptable in APA League play. Special equipment, such as bridges and cue extenders, are legal. Cues with moveable parts will generally NOT be allowed.
Massé and jump shots are legal, when executed properly (see MASSÉ SHOTS and JUMP SHOTS described in Definitions), but such shots must be attempted using your regular shooting cue (see REGULAR SHOOTING CUE described in Definitions). Players are not allowed to break down their cues or switch to specialty cues (such as cues designed for jumping and/or breaking) to attempt massé or jump shots.
Had a foul called on me recently in an APA 9-ball match. I will admit that I wasn't trying to pull a fast one, it just kind of happened.
I broke and immediately following the break, I had a 3/4 table-length jump shot at the 1. I already had my J/B in hand so, without really thinking about it, I jumped and made the 1. The guy I was shooting against just about had an aneurysm over it. I didn't argue because, according to the APA, a jump cue is a gimmick that falls in the same category as a laser-sighted tip. Got to love categorizing like that.
I broke and immediately following the break, I had a 3/4 table-length jump shot at the 1. I already had my J/B in hand so, without really thinking about it, I jumped and made the 1. The guy I was shooting against just about had an aneurysm over it. I didn't argue because, according to the APA, a jump cue is a gimmick that falls in the same category as a laser-sighted tip. Got to love categorizing like that.
Using a break cue (to jump) or jump cue isn't allowed in the APA other than the Masters division. It hasn't been allowed at the NTC since 2008 leather tip or not. There was some confusion last year if it was allowed to switch to a break cue but the rule hasn't changed. You must jump with your primary playing cue.
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What if your primary playing cue IS a j/b cue? If you break AND shoot with a j/b cue (and I've seen this done by more than 1 person), and you DON'T break it down, wouldn't it be legal then, especially if a Samsara LEATHER j/b tip was on the cue?
I think this would then be well within the rules.
Maniac
I believe you are correct. So long as it the cue you play the whole match with, after the break.
I don't know if you can switch "playing" cues between games. In the OP's case, he could decide that he wanted the jump badly enough to keep using that cue for the rest of that game, since the jump shot was the next shot after the break. But would he be required to use that cue the rest of the match? hmmmmmm
The specific wording in the manual is that you're not allowed to switch cues or break a cue down in order to perform a jump shot. If your playing cue happens to be a jump/break cue, you're not switching cues, you're just playing with a... really strange choice. There shouldn't be any conflict with the rules in that case.
If you've established that you're breaking with one cue and playing with another one, then your playing cue must be the one you jump with, rather than the break cue. You're allowed to switch shafts or cues during a match as long as the shot you're prepping for isn't a jump shot. Anyway it doesn't say you're not allowed to switch shafts or cues during the match, other than for a jump shot.
If you've established that you're breaking with one cue and playing with another one, then your playing cue must be the one you jump with, rather than the break cue. You're allowed to switch shafts or cues during a match as long as the shot you're prepping for isn't a jump shot. Anyway it doesn't say you're not allowed to switch shafts or cues during the match, other than for a jump shot.
Yes that is fine as long as that is your playing cue and you are not switching cues as Walrus stated. I have seen several players using a BK2 for both playing and breaking. As of right now tips do not matter in the rules.