BCA rules ?

[JdoubleR]

In a game of eight ball my opponent is preparing to break and on his warm up stroke bumps the cue ball. Is this a foul and if so what are my options?

Thanks

 

[mailman]

In a game of eight ball my opponent is preparing to break and on his warm up stroke bumps the cue ball. Is this a foul and if so what are my options?[/QUOTE}

From the WPA website, with whom the BCA collaborates on their entire rule sets (these two rule sets are identical and interchangeable):

"3.8 CUE BALL ON OPENING BREAK
"The opening break shot is taken with cue ball in hand behind the head string. The object balls are positioned according to specific game rules. On the opening break, the game is.considered to have commenced once the cue ball has been struck by the cue tip."

"4.5 LEGAL BREAK SHOT
"(Defined) To execute a legal break, the breaker (with the cue ball behind the head string) must either (1) pocket a ball, or (2) drive at least four numbered balls to the rail. When the breaker fails to make a legal break, it is a foul, and the incoming player has the option of (1) accepting the table in position and shooting, or (2) having the balls reracked and having the option of shooting the opening break or allowing the offending player to rebreak."

And, After bumping the cueball on warm-up strokes, I have also seen players use their cue to sweep the cueball back or out of the way before hitting the rack. They usually think, or act like, they are doing YOU a favor by saving you from the effort of re-racking so they can NOW DO THEIR BREAKSHOT! Kindness and consideration? -- NAH -- more likely sour grapes and an attempt at deflecting responsibility and culpability, in addition to the cueball, itself. Well, they're WRONG here, too:

"3.9 DEFLECTING THE CUE BALL ON THE GAME'S OPENING BREAK
"On the break shot, stopping or deflecting the cue ball after it has crossed the head string and prior to hitting the racked balls is considered a foul and loss of turn. The opponent has the option of receiving cue ball in hand behind the head string or passing the cue ball in hand behind the head string back to the offending player."

So, Rule 3.9's wording gives rise to ANOTHER "tactic of deflection." Here in 3.9 you can see that, if he gets lucky and can stop the cueball BEFORE it crosses the headstring, he might try to argue that it doesn't count as a breakshot OR a foul because the cueball didn't cross the headstring toward the rack. He's STILL WRONG, in view of the combined wording in Rules 3.8 and 4.5, above. 3.8 states that cuetip to cueball contact BEGINS THE GAME -- NO EQUIVOCATION! Now if, on this "mishap," a NUMBERED ball does not go into a pocket, or AT LEAST FOUR (4) NUMBERED balls contact any rails, then in accordance with 4.5, this is a FOUL, and your options are clearly defined in 4.5.

 

[3andstop]

I can't help but chirp in here ... sorry ahead of time


Maybe the rules say its a foul and maybe they don't, I don't know, but I do feel IMO that calling that foul is kind of chicken sh@#T

 

[mailman]

I can't help but chirp in here ... sorry ahead of time


Maybe the rules say its a foul and maybe they don't, I don't know, but I do feel IMO that calling that foul is kind of chicken sh@#T

Sure -- but it depends entirely upon the circumstances and conditions of the game.

If it's a "bar" game with BCA rules for the usual $2, $5 or a drink, I'm NOT calling this foul and will let my opponent try the break again. This game is really just for FUN, and who gives a damn.

If it's one of our weekly $5-$10 entry BCA-Rules tournaments, it depends upon how much I like/get along with my opponent whether or not I make this call.

If it's in a big regional, then I will make this call EVERY TIME.

I will also make this call EVERY TIME if I am in a head-to-head matchup in ANY type of game for $20 or more.

Now, if you still think this is "CS" in all situations, then you still have a lot to learn, not only about pool, but life, as well!

 

[rackem]

No "do overs" in real pool

I can't help but chirp in here ... sorry ahead of time


Maybe the rules say its a foul and maybe they don't, I don't know, but I do feel IMO that calling that foul is kind of chicken sh@#T

Of course it depends on what type of game you are having, I was just wondering if you thought playing safe was chicken sh@#t also?