legal pool break

C

cruzersbbq

New member
In 8 ball an 9 ball how close to head string can you set the cue ball? I made 8 on the break an they hollered I had the ball across the line, the bottom of ball was not touching the line, the other player thinks no part of ball can be across the line, I have searched rule books for answer an I can't find it in rules. can any one out there tell me where to find the rule or tell me what is right. Thanks
 
as long as the bottom of the ball isn't over the line it ok. At least thats what i have always been told.
 
cruzersbbq said:
In 8 ball an 9 ball how close to head string can you set the cue ball? I made 8 on the break an they hollered I had the ball across the line, the bottom of ball was not touching the line, the other player thinks no part of ball can be across the line, I have searched rule books for answer an I can't find it in rules. can any one out there tell me where to find the rule or tell me what is right. Thanks
Click to expand...

I know in TAP the rule states 100% of the ball must be BEHIND the head string. I don't know that it's in the rule book, but I think I also remeber hearing in TAP that your opponent needs to tell you before you shoot on this point as well, but I am not completely sure of that.
 
Cdryden said:
as long as the bottom of the ball isn't over the line it ok. At least thats what i have always been told.
Click to expand...

I've always been told the same thing. When in College (many years ago), I used to run tournaments, and a legal break consisted of where the cue ball touched the table. It didn't matter if part of the ball extended over the headstring as long as where it touched the table was behind the head string.

For actual rules, check the rules of the "ruling organization" the match was operating under. Just checked APA, and it is a bit vague, only saying that the break has to occur from behind the headstring, but doesn't go into detail about what "behind the headstring" means.

John
 
It varies....

cruzersbbq said:
In 8 ball an 9 ball how close to head string can you set the cue ball? I made 8 on the break an they hollered I had the ball across the line, the bottom of ball was not touching the line, the other player thinks no part of ball can be across the line, I have searched rule books for answer an I can't find it in rules. can any one out there tell me where to find the rule or tell me what is right. Thanks
Click to expand...


This will vary from league to league and it's also different for various tournaments. Call your League Operator to get your answer.
 
Under WPA (world-standardized) rules for a break shot, the ball must be placed "behind the head string."

The Definitions section of the rules defines how to determine the position of a ball:

8.13 Position of Balls
The position of a ball is determined by the projection of its center vertically downward onto the playing surface. A ball is said to be placed on a line or spot when its center is placed directly over that line or spot.​

So for a break shot, the center of the ball must be behind the head string, not the entire ball.
 
The sad thing is that people get so petty and use this as a way to get an edge. I have had it happen to me and even though they were wrong according to our league rules I still pull my ball back to where there will be no argument. ...........Then I make the 8-ball and they shut up!!:cool:
 
It will vary from league to league but the one thing that counts after the shot it doesn't matter you made the 8 on the break and it counts. If they have a problem with the placement they need to call it before you shoot jsut as with a froze ball, not called not froze.
 
My suggestion was to place the Cue Ball edge, just a bit behind the Head String, to avoid a search for the rules book or have to interpret a dozen opinions.
 
I was always told "base of the ball". I don't play in leagues, however and have no idea of their rules.
 
Georgia Boy said:
I know in TAP the rule states 100% of the ball must be BEHIND the head string. I don't know that it's in the rule book, but I think I also remeber hearing in TAP that your opponent needs to tell you before you shoot on this point as well, but I am not completely sure of that.
Click to expand...

They have to tell you before you break, otherwise who's to say that it was over the line or not after you break. That's like calling a bad hit after the fact with no one watching the hit.
 
Break

cruzersbbq said:
In 8 ball an 9 ball how close to head string can you set the cue ball? I made 8 on the break an they hollered I had the ball across the line, the bottom of ball was not touching the line, the other player thinks no part of ball can be across the line, I have searched rule books for answer an I can't find it in rules. can any one out there tell me where to find the rule or tell me what is right. Thanks
Click to expand...

This is simple. If you are taking money from the guy hands over fist, then you say, wow, I didn't know that, and break like he likes you to break! Only nits will argue about one inch here or there, and most good players already know, they are just sharking you. For all others, it's the bottom of the cue ball!
 
If someone tells me that a ball is over the headstring if the edge is, next time I hang a ball and the edge is over the pocket drop, I'm saying it's IN!
 
cruzersbbq said:
In 8 ball an 9 ball how close to head string can you set the cue ball? I made 8 on the break an they hollered I had the ball across the line, the bottom of ball was not touching the line, the other player thinks no part of ball can be across the line, I have searched rule books for answer an I can't find it in rules. can any one out there tell me where to find the rule or tell me what is right. Thanks
Click to expand...

This is one of those things that's obviously bs because if you would have broke and there would have been a hanger game winning billiard for them they would have said nothing.
 
cruzersbbq

Mr. Wiggles said:
This is simple. If you are taking money from the guy hands over fist, then you say, wow, I didn't know that, and break like he likes you to break! Only nits will argue about one inch here or there, and most good players already know, they are just sharking you. For all others, it's the bottom of the cue ball!
Click to expand...

Mr. Wiggles
Thanks for your post i think your answer is spot on, an thats about what happen I made the 8 on the snap an then they wanted to holler i was across the line well i have grown up playing as long as the bottom center of the ball is behind the head string it is a good break. THX FOR YOUR COMMENT.
 
It would be up to your opponent to tell you first.

You make the 8 on the break and he complains.

You break dry and open the table for a run out and he probably wouldn't mention anything.

Like closing the barn door after the horse got out.
 
MoonshineMattK said:
For BCA Rules the cue ball position is determined by its base
and the headstring is part of the kitchen.
Click to expand...

Neither BCAPL Rules nor World Standardized Rules include the head string in the kitchen. It is defined as NOT part of the kitchen.

BCPAL definition of "Kitchen" and WSR Rule 8.1 apply.
 
cruzersbbq said:
In 8 ball an 9 ball how close to head string can you set the cue ball? I made 8 on the break an they hollered I had the ball across the line, the bottom of ball was not touching the line, the other player thinks no part of ball can be across the line, I have searched rule books for answer an I can't find it in rules. can any one out there tell me where to find the rule or tell me what is right. Thanks
Click to expand...

Besides if they called the "foul" after you broke, the call goes to the shooter. If they bring it up before the break, then it can be debated. It is the bottom if the ball and most people put it right up to the line, not something to argue over. I'm sure if you scratched, they wouldn't have ever brought it up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top