New VNEA rule

softshot

softshot

Simplify
Silver Member
I just received my league magazine..

It mentions a rule change for the upcoming season

"When the 8-Ball is the legal object ball, a scratch or foul is not a loss of game if the 8-ball is not pocketed or jumped off the table.
Incoming player has ball in hand."

#1 I don't like this AT ALL!!! scratch on the 8 you lose the game it has been that way since 8-ball was invented I think.

I am hoping this rule only applies to the "regular" teams, only because I won't have to play under that rule. ( the rules for intermediate and master teams are a little tougher most of the time)

I don't like it for anyone to play under... what is the rationalization for this?
 
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I like the rule

Sounds like a good step for VNEA.Is that the league that once had the spot option rule?Or is that a current rule.IMO a game of 8 ball should not be won or lost with the 8 on the table.




As a side note-A game of 8 ball should not be won or lost on the break IMO.
 
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the rules can only be RULES if they stay the same.

if the rules are in a constant state of flux. then the advantage goes to the guy with the latest info. A guy who just read the rules three days ago and is not aware of todays change will be CERTAIN that he is right .. and you get arguments, bad blood, lots of pissing and moaning,

I'll say it again
the rules can only be RULES if they stay the same
 
relax pal

Sounds like they are instituting the rule to start a new session.Changing a major rule like that mid session could lead to problems.


:smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:


-deep breath and let it out slow


:smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:
 
It is a very good rule. Automatic loss of game is too stiff of a penalty for a single scratch. If you are on the 8-ball and scratch, you have already given me a huge advantage because my obstacles, your balls, are already gone.

If I cannot seal the win from that position, then I do not deserve it. The game should not end until the 8-ball is pocketed.

All in my humble opinion of course. :cool:

I think the rule will grow on you. :)
 
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softshot said:
the rules can only be RULES if they stay the same.
Click to expand...

Rule number 1.) Rules don't have to stay the same to be rules.

How would we ever make new rules?

Yes, it would be nice if we had one standardized set of rules for the whole world, but that just won't happen. The BCA has did the best at setting the standards for the world, but they can't inforce them everywhere.

Try explaining ball in hand rules to a "bar" player.

Has anyone ever found a written set of rules for "bar pool"?

...nope, because their isn't any. "Bar rules" is the equivilent to "street rules".
 
Ball & hand

I play both and we heard about the VNEA rule changes at the end of the last session.
I don't like change either, but it is nice to have the same rules for both leagues.
Ball & hand on a wide open bar table should be a win anyway.
At least you would have control of the table.
 
At a professional level, scratch on the 8 has never been a loss of game unless the 8 was pocketed as well. I think "scratching on 8 is a loss" rule has always been a bar rule. Since so many people develop their pool games in bars, they feel that scratching on the 8 has always been a loss of game.
 
About 2 years ago, VNEA changed the patch rule, from inside the first diamond, to 2 diamonds from the intended pocket for the 8. It was a good rule change. There are tough shots that come up, and you don't want the patch close to the pocket. Plus, it alleviated a lot of fouls being called for the patch touching the diamond.
I hadn't received my News and Views yet, and wasn't aware of this change, but it's a good change in my opinion.
 
I remember when snapping the 8 on the break was a win & scratching when making it on the break was a loss. Rules keep changing...

It should matter in a master league since the opponent should win 95% of the time with ball in hand and all of the opponents balls gone. This will probably have more of an impact in the weaker leagues, giving the scratcher a 2nd and 3rd chance.
 
When I started a BCA league in my area I opted not to adopt that rule at the local level. What happened when my teams went to higher level play they were not aware that rule. I then decided to include that rule at a local level even though I didnt like it.
After adopting the rule locally we became used to it and most players like it better. Think about, if you were hooked on the eight ball you would either just try for a hit or give up ball in hand for fear of scratching. Now you can come up with 2 or 3 rail kicks, jumps, etc.. without the fear of losing the game. Trust me, you will get used to and you will learn to like it
 
I like the rule change. Just as chris_williams said, gives a chance to kick or jump at the eight for those of us who hook themselves from time to time.


Note => JMP has been known to hook himself a time or two while trying to shoot at the eight.
 
softshot said:
I did not know that ..

now the question is WHY?
Click to expand...
You're questioning why you didn't know that? Because unless you read a BCA rulebook (yearly updated) from about mid-80's to present or keep up with the World Standardized Rules, then you'd only know what ever the local league is telling you. And apparently, the local league hasn't kept up with the World Standardized Rules. At least they're doing better than the APA.

Decades ago, any foul was a loss of game when playing the 8-ball. That changed as far as the BCA rulebook was concerned I'll say in the 70's, though some ESPN events (the old-timers series) sometimes still played that way. That's a bit too brutal. Surely you don't want to play like that?

So, if you agree that we shouldn't play that way, then you'll agree that changing the rules can be okay at times. I hope you understand what I mean. I'm sure there are many rules you think are okay and good today not realizing that they are also "changes to the rules" incurred sometime in the past couple of decades.

Anyway, the BCA (not the league, but the Billiard Congress of America trade organization) and the World Standardized Rules adapted the "not a loss of game on a scratch when playing the 8-ball unless the 8-ball dropped" rule somewhere around 1990.

IMO, it's a great rule that in effect keeps with the spirit of the game. I.e., you must pocket your set of balls before pocketing the 8-ball. The next logical adoption is "no loss of game, even if you pocket the 8-ball on a scratch or foul. 8-ball is spotted." That wouldn't work too well on coin-op tables, but I can see it as a potential welcomed change.

Fred
 
Rules Need To Change

I would agree with a few on here. Rules have to change as new people with better ideas present them. Normally a rule is in place because it made the game better, easier to understand (Clarified an existing rule) or leveled the playing field.

Every new rule has its' pro and con.....people will get used to it.
 
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