One Pocket Etiquette - Potting ball off break

[HaroldWilson]

I am a complete beginner at one pocket and trying to learn the ropes. Anyway today after playing 2 pretty poor sets of 8ball my friend and I decided to play some runs to 3 in one pocket.

During one of my breaks I decided to hit the 3rd ball from the top of the rack to open them up a bit. Anyway luckily I potted a ball in my pocket. From this position I had to split the pack and play some difficult positional shots to run out the rack

After running out I was really chuffed for breaking and running out. However my friend was less infused and said I was lucky getting the ball off of the break and that unlike 9ball or 8ball etc the object is not to pot a ball off of the break. Thus, there was some Etiquette involved in the game whereas I should have been more reserved and apologetic for my luck.

Thoughts please?

 

[ideologist]

I am a complete beginner at one pocket and trying to learn the ropes. Anyway today after playing 2 pretty poor sets of 8ball my friend and I decided to play some runs to 3 in one pocket.

During one of my breaks I decided to hit the 3rd ball from the top of the rack to open them up a bit. Anyway luckily I potted a ball in my pocket. From this position I had to split the pack and play some difficult positional shots to run out the rack

After running out I was really chuffed for breaking and running out. However my friend was less infused and said I was lucky getting the ball off of the break and that unlike 9ball or 8ball etc the object is not to pot a ball off of the break. Thus, there was some Etiquette involved in the game whereas I should have been more reserved and apologetic for my luck.

Thoughts please?

Who racked it? Him or you?

In "rack your own", you have the option to rebreak or spot the ball and pass the turn.

If he racked, congratulations, run them on out!

 

[easy-e]

I am a complete beginner at one pocket and trying to learn the ropes. Anyway today after playing 2 pretty poor sets of 8ball my friend and I decided to play some runs to 3 in one pocket.

During one of my breaks I decided to hit the 3rd ball from the top of the rack to open them up a bit. Anyway luckily I potted a ball in my pocket. From this position I had to split the pack and play some difficult positional shots to run out the rack

After running out I was really chuffed for breaking and running out. However my friend was less infused and said I was lucky getting the ball off of the break and that unlike 9ball or 8ball etc the object is not to pot a ball off of the break. Thus, there was some Etiquette involved in the game whereas I should have been more reserved and apologetic for my luck.

Thoughts please?

I would think that your "friend" would be proud of you.

 

[MOJOE]

You friend is a douche IMHO. Just saying. Great job on the run-out. You survived the risk by running out. More often than not, that risk will cost you the game or many balls at least.

 

[haystj]

I agree the friend is a knucklehead.

However, I believe the idea of a re-rack if a ball on the break is made comes from the idea that if the balls are racked correctly it is almost impossible to make a ball in your pocket.

If a ball goes in your hole it is most likely due to a misalignment, loose balls, etc.

So, if your opponent racked them then good for you. If you racked them, some people might think you mis-racked a bit for your own advantage.

I don't give a crap about any of that, congrats on running those balls.

 

[lfigueroa]

I am a complete beginner at one pocket and trying to learn the ropes. Anyway today after playing 2 pretty poor sets of 8ball my friend and I decided to play some runs to 3 in one pocket.

During one of my breaks I decided to hit the 3rd ball from the top of the rack to open them up a bit. Anyway luckily I potted a ball in my pocket. From this position I had to split the pack and play some difficult positional shots to run out the rack

After running out I was really chuffed for breaking and running out. However my friend was less infused and said I was lucky getting the ball off of the break and that unlike 9ball or 8ball etc the object is not to pot a ball off of the break. Thus, there was some Etiquette involved in the game whereas I should have been more reserved and apologetic for my luck.

Thoughts please?

Sometimes ca-ca happens, like a ball on the break.

The balls can come apart a million different ways, that's why a 1pocket break produces so many varied layouts. The only part that's guaranteed is that you're going to push balls towards your hole and sometimes one of those little bastards goes right in or perhaps get nudged in by a compatriot. It's a part of the game.

Nowadays there have been some events where making a ball on the break calls for a rerack or for the offending ball to be spotted but generally speaking that has not been widely adopted. In any case, that would have to be specified before the start of a match.

So bottomline -- making a ball on the break is part of 1pocket. It's great if you're breaking, sucks to be the other guy. Frankly though, you haven't suffered until you're playing a race to four 1pocket and the other guys makes a ball on the break three times :-o

Lou Figueroa

 

[pooladdict]

Sometimes ca-ca happens, like a ball on the break.

The balls can come apart a million different ways, that's why a 1pocket break produces so many varied layouts. The only part that's guaranteed is that you're going to push balls towards your hole and sometimes one of those little bastards goes right in or perhaps get nudged in by a compatriot. It's a part of the game.

Nowadays there have been some events where making a ball on the break calls for a rerack or for the offending ball to be spotted but generally speaking that has not been widely adopted. In any case, that would have to be specified before the start of a match.

So bottomline -- making a ball on the break is part of 1pocket. It's great if you're breaking, sucks to be the other guy. Frankly though, you haven't suffered until you're playing a race to four 1pocket and the other guys makes a ball on the break three times :-o

Lou Figueroa

I am a big fan of rerack if a ball goes down on the break. You should at least get a chance to sell out before you have the pleasure of watching the other guy run 8 and out. Break and run is for rotation games.

 

[jjr183]

So bottomline -- making a ball on the break is part of 1pocket. It's great if you're breaking, sucks to be the other guy. Frankly though, you haven't suffered until you're playing a race to four 1pocket and the other guys makes a ball on the break three times :-o

Lou Figueroa

I have felt this pain all too often. I always play rack for your opponent so I must have some sort of persecution complex when it comes to this.

 

[jjr183]

Depending on the table you are shooting on you are just as likely to occasionally sell out the corner ball to your opponents pocket as you are to pocket one in yours. IMO if there is going to be a special rule regarding the pocketing a ball on the break, then there should be one regarding the sell out as well, and that is just crazy talk. If you pocket a ball, then run them out. If you sell out, sit and watch your opponent do the same. It's just a game and nitpicking on details like this just takes away from it.

 

[woodyosborne]

You friend is a douche IMHO. Just saying. Great job on the run-out. You survived the risk by running out. More often than not, that risk will cost you the game or many balls at least.

part of what he said: OFTEN that risk you took will cost you the game or many balls at least. if you're gambling the learning curve will soon stop shots with low odds of helping your game.

 

[M.G.]

And this is why we have posts about pool attracting degenerates...

First, don't get hung up on this. Rules are rules, and no strange "that's not supposed to happen" and crap ettiquette stuff. Snooker players apologize for a lucky pot (when they were playing a safety), but they take the point and play on.

Secondly, re-evaluate the "friend" status. Seriously. A friend would've laughed and be happy for your success, even if he "loses".

Cheers,
M

 

[Dan_B]

So bottomline -- making a ball on the break is part of 1pocket. It's great if you're breaking, sucks to be the other guy. Frankly though, you haven't suffered until you're playing a race to four 1pocket and the other guys makes a ball on the break three times :-o

Lou Figueroa

OK, I’m trying to discern the sum total here, this break, pocketing on the break and
when is it decided whose pocket is whose?
Watched a pretty good part of the just recent 200,000 frost/dennis match, seen some
incredible shots on snookering made, but the rules/game on the start wasn’t clear in
my mind yet. So, this discussion is good for rookies.
How is it determined who gets what pocket? Lag/ filp?
First win for the break, determines and gets that choice for the pocket, for the match?
Sounds like an agreement is understood on pocketing a ball on the break to spot or
keep toward a run out or even rerack?
After this initial start part, it's game on from what I can see?

 

[jay helfert]

I am a complete beginner at one pocket and trying to learn the ropes. Anyway today after playing 2 pretty poor sets of 8ball my friend and I decided to play some runs to 3 in one pocket.

During one of my breaks I decided to hit the 3rd ball from the top of the rack to open them up a bit. Anyway luckily I potted a ball in my pocket. From this position I had to split the pack and play some difficult positional shots to run out the rack

After running out I was really chuffed for breaking and running out. However my friend was less infused and said I was lucky getting the ball off of the break and that unlike 9ball or 8ball etc the object is not to pot a ball off of the break. Thus, there was some Etiquette involved in the game whereas I should have been more reserved and apologetic for my luck.

Thoughts please?

You got lucky on the break, so what! That counts! You are allowed to get lucky in Pool once in a while, no apologies necessary. Making the corner ball on the break may happen once in twenty or thirty racks. If I could figure out how to do it (or come close) I would break that way every time!

As far as your opponent is concerned, chalk that up to sour grapes. He didn't get to shoot and was pissed about that. That is also a common occurrence in Pool.

 

[garczar]

If back-corner ball is not frozen it goes a LOT. If you're playing rack-ur-own its VERY easy to make a ball. Not saying this is good sportsmanship but it can happen. Balls need to be tight. Sometimes on new,slick Simonis a ball will go just because the whole rack can slide, bringing pocket into play more.

 

[Bob Jewett]

OK, I’m trying to discern the sum total here, this break, pocketing on the break and
when is it decided whose pocket is whose?
Watched a pretty good part of the just recent 200,000 frost/dennis match, seen some
incredible shots on snookering made, but the rules/game on the start wasn’t clear in
my mind yet. So, this discussion is good for rookies.
How is it determined who gets what pocket? Lag/ flip?
First win for the break, determines and gets that choice for the pocket, for the match?
Sounds like an agreement is understood on pocketing a ball on the break to spot or
keep toward a run out or even rerack?
After this initial start part, it's game on from what I can see?

The first break is usually determined by flip but lag is an option. Alternate break after that.
The person who breaks each rack decides which pocket they have for that rack. Usually the choice is unspoken -- they break from their opponent's side of the table.
The opponent gets the other foot pocket. I have never seen a player choose a pocket other than one of the foot pockets, but I don't know of any rule against it. They would have to announce their choice before the break.

Rarely a player will play an unusual break shot and to avoid confusion they will announce which pocket they're taking. One example would be a side-cushion-first break to freeze the cue ball on the side of the rack. Another would be when Corey Deuel was using a smash break.

There is no requirement on the break shot to do anything special, such as get more than one ball to the cushion.

 

[jay helfert]

The first break is usually determined by flip but lag is an option. Alternate break after that.
The person who breaks each rack decides which pocket they have for that rack. Usually the choice is unspoken -- they break from their opponent's side of the table.
The opponent gets the other foot pocket. I have never seen a player choose a pocket other than one of the foot pockets, but I don't know of any rule against it. They would have to announce their choice before the break.

Rarely a player will play an unusual break shot and to avoid confusion they will announce which pocket they're taking. One example would be a side-cushion-first break to freeze the cue ball on the side of the rack. Another would be when Corey Deuel was using a smash break.

There is no requirement on the break shot to do anything special, such as get more than one ball to the cushion.

Bob, you do need to make a legal shot on the break. You must hit a ball and then contact a rail or it's a foul and you owe one.

 

[lfigueroa]

I am a big fan of rerack if a ball goes down on the break. You should at least get a chance to sell out before you have the pleasure of watching the other guy run 8 and out. Break and run is for rotation games.

Tell that to the guys who have run 8, 9, 10, or 11 and out on me.

Lou Figueroa
puh-leeeze

 

[lfigueroa]

I have felt this pain all too often. I always play rack for your opponent so I must have some sort of persecution complex when it comes to this.

The way some guys rack, I believe there is a higher probability of a ball leaking out. So I prefer the rack your own.

Lou Figueroa
prevents
evil thoughts

 

[lfigueroa]

OK, I’m trying to discern the sum total here, this break, pocketing on the break and
when is it decided whose pocket is whose?
Watched a pretty good part of the just recent 200,000 frost/dennis match, seen some
incredible shots on snookering made, but the rules/game on the start wasn’t clear in
my mind yet. So, this discussion is good for rookies.
How is it determined who gets what pocket? Lag/ filp?
First win for the break, determines and gets that choice for the pocket, for the match?
Sounds like an agreement is understood on pocketing a ball on the break to spot or
keep toward a run out or even rerack?
After this initial start part, it's game on from what I can see?

Players flip or lag for the first break, which generally is considered an advantage.

If a player is using the traditional break, it is understood that their pocket is opposite from the side they're breaking from. If they are using a less conventional break, like banking off the side rail to the side of the stack, or playing to freeze the CB to the head ball, the player will usually point with their cue to designate their pocket.

Players alternate breaking, unless the break is part of a spot, like maybe one guy is getting "8-7 and the break."

What happens if a ball is made on the break might be part of a short list of things players clarify before hitting the first ball:

Are we playing three fouls is a loss?

Are we playing whole ball or base of the ball over the head string is playable?

How will we handle "sleepers?" You snooze you lose or will they be spotted after noted and each player has had an inning?

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

If back-corner ball is not frozen it goes a LOT. If you're playing rack-ur-own its VERY easy to make a ball. Not saying this is good sportsmanship but it can happen. Balls need to be tight. Sometimes on new,slick Simonis a ball will go just because the whole rack can slide, bringing pocket into play more.

You know, I've often heard that guys can fiddle with the rack to make a ball, but playing "rack your own" for years and years, I have yet to see it.

Lou Figueroa
just sayin'