Rule question Towel cloth in the pocket ?

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Using a small cloth or towel to put inside the pocket to prevent shaft from rubbing on metal or plastic . Is this illegal? If so what does the rule state ?
 
This does not seem to be in the category of standard equipment as defined in BCA rules.

When faces with similar, I use a closed bridge to hoist the shaft above the marking rubber.
 
Using a small cloth or towel to put inside the pocket to prevent shaft from rubbing on metal or plastic . Is this illegal? If so what does the rule state ?
Grady Matthews did this in an Accustats one pocket video
No one raised an eyebrow, except for thinking it was clever
 
This does not seem to be in the category of standard equipment as defined in BCA rules.

When faces with similar, I use a closed bridge to hoist the shaft above the marking rubber.
I think shaft "sleeves" like these are commonly allowed.

pj
chgo

Screenshot 2025-06-29 200340.png

 
Grady Matthews did this in an Accustats one pocket video
No one raised an eyebrow, except for thinking it was clever
I remember that I think it was one pocket and a long time ago has passed . Just wondering if there is a rule specific to this situation ?
 
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I think shaft "sleeves" like these are commonly allowed.

pj
chgo

View attachment 834311
Yes these are legal but actually putting something inside of the pocket is my question.
 
My feeling is that if you need to put a cloth on the pocket/liner to protect your shaft from mung or dings, the equipment is broken. It is then reasonable to take the precaution of covering up the broken part of the table during the shot.

Pool is not supposed to be like putt-putt golf where the goal is to figure out a new trick to play each shot.

If you have a gooey pocket liner and have to play over that liner, the use of a cloth or a paper towel seems to me a standard use of equipment in that bad situation.

I think Robert Cannefax would simply cut out the pocket liner.
 
My feeling is that if you need to put a cloth on the pocket/liner to protect your shaft from mung or dings, the equipment is broken. It is then reasonable to take the precaution of covering up the broken part of the table during the shot.

Pool is not supposed to be like putt-putt golf where the goal is to figure out a new trick to play each shot.

If you have a gooey pocket liner and have to play over that liner, the use of a cloth or a paper towel seems to me a standard use of equipment in that bad situation.

I think Robert Cannefax would simply cut out the pocket liner.
Bob can you site the rule or have a link to that situation?
 
Bob can you site the rule or have a link to that situation?
There is nothing explicit. I think there may be something in the regulations about players accepting the equipment as suitable for play prior to the start. I suppose you could lodge a complaint at that time and get the officials to agree to pocket protectors. Otherwise, you have to throw yourself on the mercy of the person who has the authority to tell you "NO!" at the time of the problem.

Or, you could try a Cannefax.
 
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Ive just used a break patch for that, where I play there is always one.
Sounds good to me, but a nit is going to claim that the cloth is intended to be used to protect the cloth, not your cue.

Has anyone every complained about that? Do others do it as well?
 
In the finals of the 2000 US Open between Takeshi Okamura and Earl Strickland, Okamura places a towel on the rail/pockets several times to block the glare from the lights.


At 17:47, he does it for the first time. At 59:31, he does it again and the ref comes over to discuss and deems it legal.
 
In the finals of the 2000 US Open between Takeshi Okamura and Earl Strickland, Okamura places a towel on the rail/pockets several times to block the glare from the lights.


At 17:47, he does it for the first time. At 59:31, he does it again and the ref comes over to discuss and deems it legal.
Doing what you can to fix a broken situation. Maybe it was an unusual kind of lighting -- I've never seen a problem with pocket casting glare before.
 
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What if it's left there and a ball is pocketed in that pocket regardless of interference or in another pocket entirely?

The player is responsible for any equipment he brings to the table. If a ball were to hit it, it would be a foul.


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if gloves are legal, just cover the offending spot on the pocket with a spare glove. Or if getting real picky, remove your glove for the shot, cover the offending spot, then put your glove back on and continue.
 
I’ve seen players a few times over the years cover the pocket on old Gold Crowns where the metal’s sharp edge was right where their shaft needed to be. They used either a napkin from the counter or their own towel. I had zero issue with it, and no one else did either.

We are all pool players and care about our equipment.
 
Doing what you can to fix a broken situation. Maybe it was an unusual kind of lighting -- I've never seen a problem with pocket casting glare before.
I believe that’s why Archer has/had his OCD and would move balls from pocket to pocket (that he wasn’t shooting at). The reflection of the light off the balls inside the pocket he was standing over would bother him. This is from memory, I may be way off. I vaguely remember someone asked him that in an interview question 15 or so years.
 
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