Earl Strickland - Behind the line

Aaron_S

Aaron_S

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I noticed during the Strickland/Van Boening match that Earl once again gave his opponent a hard time about the cueball placement on the break. If you recall, he also gave Efren a hard time about it during the Hong Kong Challenge, which prompted many youtube comments (yeah, I know) stating that Efren cheated in the match by placing his cueball over the line when he broke. It seemed that Earl was going by the edge of the cueball rather than the base of the ball.

As someone who has always understood the "behind the line" rule to be applied using the base of the cueball, I became curious about other players' understanding of the rule. I forgot about it for a while, but when re-viewing this 8-ball match between Archer and Reyes, I was reminded when Billy I. states that the rule in that tournament was applied by the base of the ball. You can hear his explanation of the rule at 6:45 in this vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exa48jT7t-A

I then consulted the WSR on the BCA website, and they also state that the rule is applied by the base of the cueball, which can be seen in section 3.10 on this page:

http://www.bca-pool.com/play/tournaments/rules/rls_gen.shtml

So I guess I'm just curious about other AZB'ers experience with this rule, specifically regarding controversy over how it's applied. I personally have always gone by the base of the ball, and I have played in over 30 different states and have never experienced controversy over this rule. What is your experience and/or opinion on how the rule should be applied? Also, if the general consensus is that it is applied by the base of the ball, how do you explain Earl's behavior? I have heard people say that we should go by the edge of the ball because it's easier to see; is Earl just a proponent of that application of the rule, and thus trying to enforce that as the new standard, or was it just a move?

Thanks,
Aaron
 
I've always understood it to be the base of the balls and have played it as such, although I tend to move the ball back just a bit so there's no argument. Never really had or given anyone a problem over it, even if it's slightly over the line I don't think it would make that big of a difference. If someone was placing it 1/4 - 1/2 ball or more over, where it's real obvious, then I would say something.
Scott
 
over 40+ years

matching up, either way... it is what both players agree to.

tournament play, according to WSR 'base of the ball', but Texas Express rules that I played under, was also either way, depended on what the players and TD determined.

Today.. it is 'base of the ball'
 
I usually played touching line is over...for the OB. And had the string come out to measure a questionalble ball.

Whatever the rule, I believe it should apply equally to CB/ OB.
 
You cant see the base of the ball, it is under the ball? So how can we trust that?

It has to be the leading edge of the ball! The center of the ball isn't visible to the human eye so forget that...
 
Black-Balled said:
I usually played touching line is over...for the OB. And had the string come out to measure a questionalble ball.

Whatever the rule, I believe it should apply equally to CB/ OB.
Click to expand...

I recall playing that way too - touching is over for an OB. I hadn't thought about it, but I bet a fair number of players carried string just for that purpose. Nowadays it seems to hardly ever come up. In defense of using the edge of the ball, it is certainly easier to see than the base of the ball.

Aaron
 
JamisonNeu said:
You cant see the base of the ball, it is under the ball? So how can we trust that?

It has to be the leading edge of the ball! The center of the ball isn't visible to the human eye so forget that...
Click to expand...

What's up Jamison? Hope things are good with you.

That's the argument I've heard most often in defense of using the edge of the ball, and it's a good one. Do you know of a set of rules that specify the edge of the ball? The first rules I looked at said "base".

Take care,
Aaron
 
We've always played the base of the ball determines where the ball is.....

Where do you rack the balls? Edge of the head ball on the center of the spot?

Or is it the base or center of the ball that is the determining factor?
 
Well, on the tables I usually play on, you're lucky if you can get the head ball anywhere on the spot, LOL. But I hear what you are saying, ideally the base of the head ball is in the center of the spot.

Thanks,
Aaron
 
Aaron_S said:
I noticed during the Strickland/Van Boening match that Earl once again gave his opponent a hard time about the cueball placement on the break. If you recall, he also gave Efren a hard time about it during the Hong Kong Challenge, which prompted many youtube comments (yeah, I know) stating that Efren cheated in the match by placing his cueball over the line when he broke. It seemed that Earl was going by the edge of the cueball rather than the base of the ball.

As someone who has always understood the "behind the line" rule to be applied using the base of the cueball, I became curious about other players' understanding of the rule. I forgot about it for a while, but when re-viewing this 8-ball match between Archer and Reyes, I was reminded when Billy I. states that the rule in that tournament was applied by the base of the ball. You can hear his explanation of the rule at 6:45 in this vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exa48jT7t-A

I then consulted the WSR on the BCA website, and they also state that the rule is applied by the base of the cueball, which can be seen in section 3.10 on this page:

http://www.bca-pool.com/play/tournaments/rules/rls_gen.shtml

So I guess I'm just curious about other AZB'ers experience with this rule, specifically regarding controversy over how it's applied. I personally have always gone by the base of the ball, and I have played in over 30 different states and have never experienced controversy over this rule. What is your experience and/or opinion on how the rule should be applied? Also, if the general consensus is that it is applied by the base of the ball, how do you explain Earl's behavior? I have heard people say that we should go by the edge of the ball because it's easier to see; is Earl just a proponent of that application of the rule, and thus trying to enforce that as the new standard, or was it just a move?

Thanks,
Aaron
Click to expand...

there are about 3 players who cry about this.
thats what they do cry.
 
The TAP league rules are different in this regard from other governing bodies. For instance:

"If the cue ball is pocketed, or driven off the table during the break shot, the incoming player has cue ball-in-hand 100% behind the head string... the incoming player has his/her choice of object balls that are 50% or more past the head string on an 'open table'.”​
This creates some unnecessary confusion from time to time.
 
swest said:
The TAP league rules are different in this regard from other governing bodies. For instance:

"If the cue ball is pocketed, or driven off the table during the break shot, the incoming player has cue ball-in-hand 100% behind the head string... the incoming player has his/her choice of object balls that are 50% or more past the head string on an 'open table'.”​
This creates some unnecessary confusion from time to time.
Click to expand...

Thanks for digging up the TAP rule on it. I just joined a TAP league, so that's good to know.

Aaron
 
Most of the tournaments and the local leagues in my area play ball in the kitchen rules. Whether or not a ball is in the kitchen or out of the kitchen is more relevant. We play the plane of the line either the ball is all in or all out.
If you stretch the string across the ball is in or out. No halfies.
 
The TAP league rules are different in this regard from other governing bodies. For instance:

"If the cue ball is pocketed, or driven off the table during the break shot, the incoming player has cue ball-in-hand 100% behind the head string... the incoming player has his/her choice of object balls that are 50% or more past the head string on an 'open table'.”
This creates some unnecessary confusion from time to time.
Click to expand...

My understanding is that rule has very recently changed (as in will be instituted for the next session) to read 100% behind for CB and 100% in front for OB.
 
I let them put the ball over the line if they want. 1/2" isn't going to make a difference and they are probably going to lose anyway. If this bothers you, so will chalk upside down on the rail. If they can find a way to get into your head, they might have a psych on you. Just make them your rack boy. If I was to draw Earl in a tournament, I'd steal his joy by breaking 10" off the back rail.
 
Aaron_S said:
What's up Jamison? Hope things are good with you.

That's the argument I've heard most often in defense of using the edge of the ball, and it's a good one. Do you know of a set of rules that specify the edge of the ball? The first rules I looked at said "base".

Take care,
Aaron
Click to expand...

Look back far enough. I have over 20 different sets of rules for 9 ball alone...And it is one of the younger games...

I am doing great man. Things couldn't get better unless I got wings..
 
cuejo said:
We've always played the base of the ball determines where the ball is.....

Where do you rack the balls? Edge of the head ball on the center of the spot?

Or is it the base or center of the ball that is the determining factor?
Click to expand...

Maybe if both the balls are moved back a few inches the wing ball wont be a set up trick shot...lol
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top