Explaining BCA Rules to a Banger

[Banks]

Nothing wrong with straight 8 - call shot, cb in kitchen. If you have a decent game, you should win anyways. If it's too easy, you either have a racker or go back to playing yourself. If you're losing, you need the practice and making your shots deliberately, how you call them, will help.

I'll play pretty much anybody and any rules. People enjoy playing me, even the bar regulars that aren't that good. I like pool and I like people.. well, most people. Rack 'em!

 

[geocheren]

theres a pool table at work and the majority of the people who play on it go by 'bar rules'. When I asked for a printed out version of these rules, they dont have a printed version because they are 'bar rules' as if it is universally known or defined.

One time they decided to throw a work tournament, I suggested using the BCA rules, since they are published and can be referred to in case of any disputes. The tournament organizer did not bother responding or even reading the rules. The other people who plays on the table did not acknowledge the existence of the BCA rules. When the tournament happened, there were tons of inconsistencies in the rules.

Some rules that were used that couldve been disputed:
- Scratch on Break is a loss on Breaker
- 3 rails constitutes a legal hit, even if object ball has not been hit.
- after contacting the group object ball, no rail needs to be contacted.
- players ball must go in first, before opponents ball on the same shot.
- When playing the 8 ball, not contacting the 8 ball first is a scratch, and any scratch on 8 ball in a loss.
- all contact made between object balls must be called before ball goes into pocket.
- a called 'safety' means opponents ball can be hit first.
- all scratches result in ball in hand inside the kitchen shooting balls outside the kitchen only.
- you are what you make in on the break.
- When playing the 8, if the 8 is in the kitchen, and opponent scratches, player can spot the 8 and shoot from the kitchen (WTF??)

From their rules, I found major loopholes, and exposed them. Everytime I play one of them, I always ask what rules we are playing by, BCA rules, or their broken rules.
If they elect to use their broken rules, then I let them break, I let them make all their object balls, while I play safe and crowd the 8 ball. If their remaining object balls are all inside the kitchen, then I intentionally scratch. When they get on the 8 ball, I hook them around one of my many object balls, or hide the 8 ball inside all of my object balls. With that strategy, they lose most of the time using their rules because they dont hit the 8 ball because of my object balls still on the table.

The problem with their rules is that there is no incentive for me to work to win. When I play those games, it is a game of safety practice, hiding the 8 ball and cue ball, and using soft taps (no rails needs to be contacted). Another problem occurs if both players use this strategy, no balls will ever be made, and there is no penalty for intentional scratching.

 

[chefjeff]

That player is a diamond in the rough and, if one wants this sport to be better and grow and have some money, that diamond in the rough should be treated well with respect.

It's times like this that THE SPORT is paramount, not this particular game. Play the game with whatever rules he wants and then as the situations come about, explain why the real rules were written in order to overcome those pesky details of play.

My advice, fwiw, is to help him find pleasure in playing you, in playing pool. Someday, after he's decided to become a real player, THEN take his money or get nitty about the rules. But until then, why not have a little fun play and help the sport?

Jeff Livingston

 

[nobcitypool]

I'll play that..I'm sure I can play a safe and my opponent will think I actually tried lol

I hear you but the last time I agreed to that, I was playing some old guy who insisted on that set of rules and he wanted to play for $5. He then proceeded to clearly and blatantly break his own rule multiple times. I still took his little bet from him but I thought it was BS. I'd simply prefer not to argue with some idiot over idiotic rules. And I agree, most decent players could make shambles of that rule by hitting two way shots. But when the rest of the rules don't require making contact with your OB and taking a ball to the rail, what's the point?

 

[geocheren]

explain why the real rules were written in order to overcome those pesky details of play.

I tried doing that, I even sent them links and references to the BCA rules. The people who did consider themselves great players (by their rules) laughed it off. Every time I would try to explain the logic behind the rule, they proceed to mock or make up stuff by saving 'BCA rules state..'

For example: After contact with object ball, an object ball has to be pocketed or a ball has to hit a rail. I tried to explain the reasoning for the rail contact by showing a worse case scenario where the opponent would just lightly tap the object ball in the middle of the table to trap incoming player from making their next shot on the 8. After doing that to them on the 8 ball several times, where they were hooked, one player argued that I didnt hit a rail, I agreed and told them that chose not to implement that rule.

 

[poolguy4u]

Huh?

I live in a rural community and shoot pool on tables located in the lounge of a bowling alley.Every now and then, a person will wander in, order a beer, and notice that I'm shooting, alone.

He (sometimes a she!) will wander over and ask if I'd like to play a game.

I ask what game they like (I'm playing on a 4x8 Peter Vitallie table that rents by the hour). The answer is almost universally Eight Ball.

I play in a weekly double elimination eight ball tournament that follows BCA rules. I know all the regular players and this guy isn't one of them. So I ask, "Are we going to follow BCA rules?" The 99th percentile answer is "What are BCA rules?"

So, the question is, do you take time to explain differences between bar box eight ball vs. BCA rules, or don't even bother asking the question?

Shoot Safe, My Friend!

Regards,

John

:shrug:


So what are you going to do when the guy says "no I don't want to play BCA rules, I want to play TAP rules."

Should the stranger have to take the time to teach you the rules? :woot:


Be careful of the bangers that act like they don't know BCA, ABC, CPA, APA, or TAP.:thumbup:

 

[dhostie]

I live in a big city where BCA players and bar rule players are both plentiful but well segregated.

I obviously prefer BCA rules, but if I am in an area where I know most play bar rules, I just go with the flow. Why set yourself up for possible arguing/fighting when there is no need. I used to get frustrated with how arrogant, confrontational, and rude some bar rules players can be at times until I changed my thought process.

If I want to seriously work on my game, I will go to the pool halls or bars where I know for sure, BCA rules are the norm. If I find myself in a bar rules only area, I don't bring my own cue, I don't play for anything, I ask what their version of the rules are first, and I just bang em around for fun. I use it as an experience to practice my run out ability and shot making as I try to make every shot on the table no matter how hard since I usually don't get chances to do that playing against competitive players using BCA rules.

Even if I end up running the table except for the last ball or two, watch my opponent slop balls around, hook me, and get every roll possible to eventually beat me and snicker very arrogantly after their win, I still take the game lightly, smile, acknowledge my loss, congratulate them on their victory. If they walk away bragging to everyone in the bar they beat my ass on the pool table, who really cares. It's just a game, give them their 15 minutes of fame, and instead of getting mad at them, I ask myself what I could have done different to beat them straight up from the beginning to never have even given them a chance to win in the first place.

I actually enjoy myself now with that thought process when I find myself in a bar rules only bar. You'll never convince them, they'll never convince you. Use it as an opportunity to just bang balls around and try things you never would and have some fun. Then go to a known BCA area when you want to get some serious practice in and don't want to have to worry about arguing over rules.

 

[the chicken]

dhostie - Exactamundo!

When bar banging, for yuks, my favorite past time is to play a tie-up safety that appears to be a missed shot. No, before your think it, I'm not talking about sand bagging.

Shoot safe and be happy!

John

 

[chefjeff]

(snip) You'll never convince them, they'll never convince you. (snip).

I'm not so sure.

Here in our town, we now have about 12 league systems. 20 years ago there were just a handful.

These systems have spread the knowledge of ball-in-hand rules and most of the bars I frequent now use that basic rule for most of the bar play where before it was rare. Sure, there are still some pockets of people who haven't been exposed, but a lot of the bar patrons have seen the league play and now understand the whys of it.

I can't remember the last time I played in a bar withOUT ball in hand rules.

I take this as another example of leagues helping pool grow.

Jeff Livingston