BiH, Behind the Line or Headspot?
- Thread starter Push&Pool
- Start date
There aren't any leagues or pool rooms really close to where I live, so it is all bar box play. So for me it is behind the line. I agree with Goldcues, BIH on a bar box would lead to a quick game. Behind the line at least puts a little more distance on some shots.
If your matchin' up, it needs to be addressed before play starts. It's always been a controversial point and should be 'clear' before play starts. Many times its brought up at players meetings before tournaments start as it should be.
Ball in hand is pretty much necessary if you're concerned about keeping it fair. Otherwise, I can commit fouls with basically no penalty in some situations (like the opponent's last ball is in the kitchen and he is forced to kick at it).
Without that big penalty, people will intentionally foul more just to get out of awkward situations. But my feeling is that pool is better when fouling is a desperate last resort, not something you do routinely.
Without that big penalty, people will intentionally foul more just to get out of awkward situations. But my feeling is that pool is better when fouling is a desperate last resort, not something you do routinely.
Folks:
What *game* are we talking about here?
BIH for games like banks, 14.1, and one pocket is just plain stupid, for lack of a better term. BIH behind the head string, yes. But full BIH anywhere on the table? Now you just destroyed some key aspects of the game, like intentional fouls.
I can see full BIH for rotation games, and even 8-ball. But not banks, 14.1, or one pocket.
However, methinks Push&Pool (aka Poolkillers) is getting at barbox 8-ball. Here, full BIH is a powerful punishment for not responding well to a safety.
-Sean
What *game* are we talking about here?
BIH for games like banks, 14.1, and one pocket is just plain stupid, for lack of a better term. BIH behind the head string, yes. But full BIH anywhere on the table? Now you just destroyed some key aspects of the game, like intentional fouls.
I can see full BIH for rotation games, and even 8-ball. But not banks, 14.1, or one pocket.
However, methinks Push&Pool (aka Poolkillers) is getting at barbox 8-ball. Here, full BIH is a powerful punishment for not responding well to a safety.
-Sean
Playing 9-ball or 10-ball, we play no ball in hand. Shoot from behind the line on all scratches. All balls are spotted in numeric order that are either pocketed, knocked off the table or are the next object ball to shoot. On a foul, the next shooter has the option to let the previous shooter (who did the scratch) shoot again from behind the line (kitchen!), or take the shot himself. These are basically the old rules that were used before the "Texas Express" (ball in hand and all balls stay down). F.Y.I, the Texas Express rules started when TV coverage of pool began. They had to play the match in one hour (less commercials) to speed up play!
in 9ball and 10 ball I would like the cueball behind the line if a scratch occurred during a break. In normal play bih everywhere on the table. I like this rule because it is less punishing than bih everywhere for who scratched on the break. Too many matches have been lost because a guy broke perfectly, parked the cb in the middle of the table and it got kicked in by another ball. Also this rule makes the game more tactical and should favor the player who plays better and not who got the luckiest/unluckiest breaks.
I agree with Sean, it all depends on what game you're playing and going by the rules for those particular games. Any other way is just chaos, like the rules for 8 ball which can change from venue to venue, block to block, city to city, region to region.
I didn't vote because of that.
I didn't vote because of that.
One hole, behind the line. 8, 9, and 10 ball BIH.
Pretty sure this player was referring to 8 ball only, and (not to be a jerk) is probably still somewhat of a beginner and prolly plays mostly 8 ball, maybe in a bar. He mentioned in other threads he shoots only with house cues and doesn't like ball in hand, and the local rule is they put scratches on the head spot.
Nancewayne: That's how we play 9 ball ring games... if your next ball is in the kitchen you can spot it, and if you don't like it (maybe because another ball near the foot spot would prevent you from shooting it) you can pass to the other guy and let him choose.
That's a pretty fair system too, but it will slow the game down.
Nancewayne: That's how we play 9 ball ring games... if your next ball is in the kitchen you can spot it, and if you don't like it (maybe because another ball near the foot spot would prevent you from shooting it) you can pass to the other guy and let him choose.
That's a pretty fair system too, but it will slow the game down.
Guys I apologize for not responding in a while... I had no internet access. Your guess was right I was thinking about bar box 8ball, I just forgot to mention it. However, I'm glad I heard your opinions about other games as well 
So, BiH won the poll by far. I kinda expected it actually, but I still wanted to know haw many people prefer other ways for dealing with scratches and fouls. I have nothing against BiH in general, but in 8ball (especially barbox) the headspot or behind the line rule make much more sense, at least for me. The fact is, I always liked tactical games where the way you think actually means more than the way you shoot, and that's where alternative rules come in handy.
This is the second time I see the term "Poolkillers". Someone please tell me what it means cause I really never heard of it. Is it the nickname for bar players or something like that?
To conclude, I'd like to say that whatever rule you choose, you need to make it clear to other players before the game begins. That way we can avoid stupid arguements.
So, BiH won the poll by far. I kinda expected it actually, but I still wanted to know haw many people prefer other ways for dealing with scratches and fouls. I have nothing against BiH in general, but in 8ball (especially barbox) the headspot or behind the line rule make much more sense, at least for me. The fact is, I always liked tactical games where the way you think actually means more than the way you shoot, and that's where alternative rules come in handy.
This is the second time I see the term "Poolkillers". Someone please tell me what it means cause I really never heard of it. Is it the nickname for bar players or something like that?
To conclude, I'd like to say that whatever rule you choose, you need to make it clear to other players before the game begins. That way we can avoid stupid arguements.
BiH is ball in hand anywhere on the table.
BiK is ball in kitchen (or anywhere behind the head string).
Some sets of rules specify BIH some specify BIK a few specfy BIK on the break and BIH other times.
Me thinks the problem, here, is the use of the name BIH for BIK.
BiK is ball in kitchen (or anywhere behind the head string).
Some sets of rules specify BIH some specify BIK a few specfy BIK on the break and BIH other times.
Me thinks the problem, here, is the use of the name BIH for BIK.