Balls in Rack Rules
- Thread starter mlfield
- Start date
15th ball in the rack
Yes.
If both the cue ball and the 15th ball ended up in the rack, you would rack all 15 and the cue ball would be in hand behind the head string.
If the fifteenth ball is in the rack and when you go to spot it on the head spot you are unable to because the cue ball ended up there, then the 15th ball would be spotted in the center spot.
Yes.
If both the cue ball and the 15th ball ended up in the rack, you would rack all 15 and the cue ball would be in hand behind the head string.
If the fifteenth ball is in the rack and when you go to spot it on the head spot you are unable to because the cue ball ended up there, then the 15th ball would be spotted in the center spot.
The World Standardized Rules are here: http://www.wpa-pool.com/web/the_rules_of_play
The specific section dealing with "rack interference" at 14.1 says:
The specific section dealing with "rack interference" at 14.1 says:
4.8 Special Racking Situations
When the cue ball or fifteenth object ball interferes with racking fourteen balls for a new rack, the following special rules apply. A ball is considered to interfere with the rack if it is within or overlaps the outline of the rack. The referee will state when asked whether a ball interferes with the rack.
(a) If the fifteenth ball was pocketed on the shot that scored the fourteenth ball, all fifteen balls are re-racked.
(b) If both balls interfere, all fifteen balls are re-racked and the cue ball is in hand behind the head string.
(c) If only the object ball interferes, it is placed on the head spot or the center spot if the cue ball blocks the head spot.
(d) If only the cue ball interferes, then it is placed as follows: if the object ball is in front of or on the head string, the cue ball is in hand behind the head string; if the object ball is behind the head string, the cue ball is spotted on the head spot, or on the center spot if the head spot is blocked.
In any case, there is no restriction on which object ball the shooter may play as the first shot of the new rack.
I think (c) is the part you were asking about. Since the rules are silent on moving the cue ball, it is not moved.When the cue ball or fifteenth object ball interferes with racking fourteen balls for a new rack, the following special rules apply. A ball is considered to interfere with the rack if it is within or overlaps the outline of the rack. The referee will state when asked whether a ball interferes with the rack.
(a) If the fifteenth ball was pocketed on the shot that scored the fourteenth ball, all fifteen balls are re-racked.
(b) If both balls interfere, all fifteen balls are re-racked and the cue ball is in hand behind the head string.
(c) If only the object ball interferes, it is placed on the head spot or the center spot if the cue ball blocks the head spot.
(d) If only the cue ball interferes, then it is placed as follows: if the object ball is in front of or on the head string, the cue ball is in hand behind the head string; if the object ball is behind the head string, the cue ball is spotted on the head spot, or on the center spot if the head spot is blocked.
In any case, there is no restriction on which object ball the shooter may play as the first shot of the new rack.
Bob, in reference to d) above. If the shooter had 2 balls left on the table, 1 near the side pocket (a few inches toward head spot) and the other in the racking area. The cue ball is on the rail with a straight in shot on the ball in rack area.
Could you slow roll the ball in rack area, making it in the corner and leave the cue ball in the racking area on purpose? So....the cue ball would be moved to the head string area when the balls are racked? This would eliminate playing tough shape to get on the ball by the side pocket?
The strategy you suggest is absolutely standard in such end-of-rack situations. At the time of the first Derby City 14.1 I commented in an article that two of the contestants seemed not to remember that rule at critical times.