Foul or not?

Coop1701

Coop1701

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Ok guys and gals,... I was playing my APA 9-ball league last Thursday. During my match I ran 5 balls and drifted down table for a shot at the 6 ball which was hanging at the corner pocket. I messed up, and positioned my cue ball behind the 8 which was a few inches off the bottom rail. Looking at the 8 which was in my way, I couldn't quite tell if the cue ball could come off the rail under it or not. So I picked up one of the extra balls that were left under the table and used it to measure the distance between the rail and the 8, just to see if I could get by it to pocket the 6. I didn't not place the ball on the table, nor did it touch the rail or any other ball. I just wanted to make sure I had enough clearance to get by. The other team got really mouthy and started hollering at me. My team Captain defended me. But it still bothers me that I may have done something everyone here would consider to be wrong.

So I'm asking you guys,... did I screw up, or didn't I....?
 
Foul!!

I don't call on any actual familiarity with rules, league or otherwise, but merely on the fact that I got it called on me once- once!
 
Coop1701 said:
Ok guys and gals,... I was playing my APA 9-ball league last Thursday. During my match I ran 5 balls and drifted down table for a shot at the 6 ball which was hanging at the corner pocket. I messed up, and positioned my cue ball behind the 8 which was a few inches off the bottom rail. Looking at the 8 which was in my way, I couldn't quite tell if the cue ball could come off the rail under it or not. So I picked up one of the extra balls that were left under the table and used it to measure the distance between the rail and the 8, just to see if I could get by it to pocket the 6. I didn't not place the ball on the table, nor did it touch the rail or any other ball. I just wanted to make sure I had enough clearance to get by. The other team got really mouthy and started hollering at me. My team Captain defended me. But it still bothers me that I may have done something everyone here would consider to be wrong.

So I'm asking you guys,... did I screw up, or didn't I....?
Click to expand...

It was a foul. I don't play in the APA or in America for that matter but that is absolutely forbidden. I cannot quote the exact rule and I'm sure someone else will but it is in the rule book as a big no-no!

No-sho
 
BCA Rules
3.42 DEVICES

Players are not allowed to use a ball, the triangle or any other width-measuring device to see if the cue ball or an object ball would travel through a gap, etc. Only the cue stick may be used as an aid to judge gaps or as an aid to aligning a shot., so long as the cue is held by the hand. To do so otherwise is a foul and unsportsmanlike conduct. (Also see Rules 1.3, 1.4 and 2.15)
 
I have looked and looked for a rule. I'm sure one exists too, and I hope someone posts it. I have went all through the APA rulebook and could not find one. I just didn't consider it a foul because I've see people in all levels of play using their cues to measure angles and contact points. I guess my point is that I don't see a difference. I've even seen pro's place their cue across a table to measure a angle. I've also seen people lay their cue down on the table to mark a contact spot on the cue ball.
 
squirrelman00 said:
BCA Rules
3.42 DEVICES

Players are not allowed to use a ball, the triangle or any other width-measuring device to see if the cue ball or an object ball would travel through a gap, etc. Only the cue stick may be used as an aid to judge gaps or as an aid to aligning a shot., so long as the cue is held by the hand. To do so otherwise is a foul and unsportsmanlike conduct. (Also see Rules 1.3, 1.4 and 2.15)
Click to expand...


Thanks Squirrelman...., I really appreciate it.

I Coop1701®,.. promise to never do it again.
 
Yup, it’s a foul.

That’s why it’s important to have a beer bottle in hand when measuring up those close calls, it’s the perfect size.

Rick
 
hustlefinger said:
Yup, it’s a foul.

That’s why it’s important to have a beer bottle in hand when measuring up those close calls, it’s the perfect size.

Rick
Click to expand...


LOL..., I'll remember that. Ohh Waitress, I need another Samuel Adams! :)
 
Mike Templeton said:
Coop,

You must have been playing at CJ's or Rascals :D

Mike
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Rascals.... They've been doing a lot of remodeling and about every 3 or 4 months, they are recovering the tables. Do you miss it down here Mike?
 
Foul???

Coop,

VAP and Squirlman are correct, this is a foul...if you want some help on judging gaps etc...check out Inside Pool April 2005 pg. 22. There's an Instruction article by Tom Simpson, (BCA Master Instructor), about how to use your cue, (perfectly legal), to judge gaps etc...very helpful for these situations...
 
Jersey said:
Coop,

VAP and Squirlman are correct, this is a foul...if you want some help on judging gaps etc...check out Inside Pool April 2005 pg. 22. There's an Instruction article by Tom Simpson, (BCA Master Instructor), about how to use your cue, (perfectly legal), to judge gaps etc...very helpful for these situations...
Click to expand...


Thanks Jersey.... I'll be sure to check it out.
 
Coop1701 said:
Ok guys and gals,... I was playing my APA 9-ball league last Thursday. During my match I ran 5 balls and drifted down table for a shot at the 6 ball which was hanging at the corner pocket. I messed up, and positioned my cue ball behind the 8 which was a few inches off the bottom rail. Looking at the 8 which was in my way, I couldn't quite tell if the cue ball could come off the rail under it or not. So I picked up one of the extra balls that were left under the table and used it to measure the distance between the rail and the 8, just to see if I could get by it to pocket the 6. I didn't not place the ball on the table, nor did it touch the rail or any other ball. I just wanted to make sure I had enough clearance to get by. The other team got really mouthy and started hollering at me. My team Captain defended me. But it still bothers me that I may have done something everyone here would consider to be wrong.

So I'm asking you guys,... did I screw up, or didn't I....?
Click to expand...
It's a foul under World Standardized Rules, but I doubt it's covered in APA Rules (which for the life of me, I can't understand why they haven't adopted World Standardized Rules).

Fred
 
Fred Agnir said:
It's a foul under World Standardized Rules, but I doubt it's covered in APA Rules (which for the life of me, I can't understand why they haven't adopted World Standardized Rules).

Fred
Click to expand...

But that would be too easy.

Plus, a push-out after the break would be allowed!

Yipes!

Barbara
 
Coop1701 said:
I have looked and looked for a rule. I'm sure one exists too, and I hope someone posts it. I have went all through the APA rulebook and could not find one. I just didn't consider it a foul because I've see people in all levels of play using their cues to measure angles and contact points. I guess my point is that I don't see a difference. I've even seen pro's place their cue across a table to measure a angle. I've also seen people lay their cue down on the table to mark a contact spot on the cue ball.
Click to expand...

they always have one hand on the cue at all times. you are allowed to use the cue, but you must keep one hand on the cue at all times.

if they lay the cue down on the table to judge the angle and they take BOTH hands off the cue, its a foul.

thanks

VAP
 
Coop1701 said:
Rascals.... They've been doing a lot of remodeling and about every 3 or 4 months, they are recovering the tables. Do you miss it down here Mike?
Click to expand...
Coop,

I do miss the folks there, but Chattanooga is a great pool town as well. Be sure to tell everyone that I said hello.

Mike
 
Mike Templeton said:
Coop,

I do miss the folks there, but Chattanooga is a great pool town as well. Be sure to tell everyone that I said hello.

Mike
Click to expand...


I will Mike, and if you ever head down this way to visit. Stop by Rascals, I'll buy you a drink and we'll rent a table.


VAP,... I'll make sure to remember that. I appreciate the clarification on that rule. That all makes sense to me.
 
squirrelman00 said:
BCA Rules
3.42 DEVICES

Players are not allowed to use a ball, the triangle or any other width-measuring device to see if the cue ball or an object ball would travel through a gap, etc. Only the cue stick may be used as an aid to judge gaps or as an aid to aligning a shot., so long as the cue is held by the hand. To do so otherwise is a foul and unsportsmanlike conduct. (Also see Rules 1.3, 1.4 and 2.15)
Click to expand...

I have always used 3 fingers to measure for ball clearance and I believe this is perfectly legal also (in addition to cue stick), my 3 middle fingers at the first knuckle are identical width to a ball and this has proved very useful.

Wayne
 
Never have ...

liked the laying of the cue on the table at all.
Too many people sneakedly try to make a mark
for the proper angle for the cue ball either by
going back and forth slightly or by pressing down
with the hand on the butt.

Let them visualize the proper line up, or hold the
cue above the table without being on the cloth.

It is especially bad in big tournaments, or in money
matches that are real close.
 
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