could you play pool without 'rail after contact' rule?

[smashmouth]

how do you think that could play out?

In local tourneys that rule often leads to a lot of disputes

keeping in mind snooker omits this rule and if you've watched the game enough you'll likely be aware of both pros and cons to this scenario

 

[lorider]

how do you think that could play out?

In local tourneys that rule often leads to a lot of disputes

keeping in mind snooker omits this rule and if you've watched the game enough you'll likely be aware of both pros and cons to this scenario

I played in bars that way for 30 years before I joined a league. Still alive so I guess it did not hurt me . :grin-square:

 

[cardiac kid]

Watch English black ball quite a bit lately. Was surprised you can play safe by hitting a rail first then your object ball. Completely different than our 8 ball rules. You may also make a combination with your object ball first then your opponents and continue to shoot. They seemed horrified by the concept you can miss a ball in APA 8 ball and if that ball or another object of your set goes in any pocket, you keep shooting. Guess it's what you think a good rule is!

Lyn

 

[JasBy]

I think it's doable, but not very wise - it might end disputes about something hitting the rail or not, but as soon as some good players started playing lock up safeties every shot because they can just tap into a ball, people would want it changed back, or they would want additional rules to help them out. Sort of like 'ball in the kitchen on a scratch' until someone scratches on purpose when all their opponents balls are at that end of the table.

 

[TEAM SLO]

The in between solution of hitting a rail before or after would be better than no rail rule at all. Just my $0.02

 

[hang-the-9]

how do you think that could play out?

In local tourneys that rule often leads to a lot of disputes

keeping in mind snooker omits this rule and if you've watched the game enough you'll likely be aware of both pros and cons to this scenario

Snooker can get away with it because of the size of the table and the toughness of making a ball or getting a hook on the large surface with small balls. I don't think that rule is movable to a 9' pool table with easier pockets and much larger balls. It's not a horrible rule, just a bad one for a real rule. I'd rather play this way though than with something like "call every touch of a ball to a rail of it does not count" or "ball in hand behind the line and you need to kick at your ball" instead of spotting the next shot you can hit if playing from behind the line. The better player will still win with no rail contact as a rule.