Rules of calling your shot

9BallPaul

9BallPaul

Banned
Happened again last night. Another argument over a bar table concerning how to call a shot. The other guy insisted I had to call a rail because I slid the object ball down the side rail. I've been playing bar pool for more than 40 years, I hate to admit, and this is by far the most common argument I encounter.

For those who'd like a refresher, I'll quote from official rule book published by the Billiard Congress of America, World Standardized Rules:

General Rules of Pocket Billiards

3.4 "For games of call shot, a player may shoot any ball he chooses, but before he shoots, must designate the called ball and called pocket. He need not designate any detail such as kisses, caroms, combinations, or cushions (all of which are legal). Any additionally pocketed ball(s) on a legal stroke is counted in the shooter's favor."

That means if you call a ball in the corner, miss it, and it goes four rails and into the pocket, that ball counts. There's a good reason for it too.

I'm posting this is a public service, though it doubtless will do no good.
 
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Sounds like you are playing "Straight 8" with some of the Good Ole Boys..:D :D

I got in an argument one time with a guy in that type of game. I called the 8 in the corner and it hit the "tit" going in. He called it a bad shot because it hit a rail and wasn't a "clean" shot.

I try to stay away from playing guys those types of games, or, win the table, then they play by my rules..;)
 
It sucks to have to argue over rules. That's why I insist on a wager to play by their rules :D Then I don't mind so much, as they're paying me to play.

-s
 
You will never win this arguement. The game will never be fair. Calling kisses and caroms is one thing, but having to quabble over if the ball hit the pocket facing as being something you must call is insane.

Pack up your cues and leave, or just go to the bar and buy your opponent a drink.
 
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In friendlier times, we played 'straight eight', but the rails from the corner pockets to the first diamond didn't count...god, that was 13-14 years ago.

I'm getting old.

-s
 
klockdoc said:
I try to stay away from playing guys those types of games, or, win the table, then they play by my rules..;)
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Right, we all know the drill;

These same local yokels who play by these rules are likely the same ones to enforce rules that benefit themselves and are customized to each opponent from game to game.

Anything but called ball and designated pocket is a joke, IMO.
 
9BallPaul said:
Happened again last night. Another argument over a bar table concerning how to call a shot. The other guy insisted I had to call a rail because I slid the object ball down the side rail. I've been playing bar pool for more than 40 years, I hate to admit, and this is by far the most common argument I encounter.

For those who'd like a refresher, I'll quote from official rule book published by the Billiard Congress of America, World Standardized Rules:

General Rules of Pocket Billiards

3.4 "For games of call shot, a player may shoot any ball he chooses, but before he shoots, must designate the called ball and called pocket. He need not designate any detail such as kisses, caroms, combinations, or cushions (all of which are legal). Any additionally pocketed ball(s) on a legal stroke is counted in the shooter's favor."

That means if you call a ball in the corner, miss it, and it goes four rails and into the pocket, that ball counts. There's a good reason for it too.

I'm posting this is a public service, though it doubtless will do no good.
Click to expand...

Why are you playing bar pool and then quoting the BCA rules? The BCA rules also stipulate that the table is always open after the break, that all fouls carry a ball-in-hand penalty, and that a ball must contact the rail following a legal hit, and I imagine the bar rules don't contain any of these clauses either.

So I would say you should convince your opponents to play by actual BCA rules. I would do so by mercilessly exploiting the inconsistencies, loopholes, and injustices of their rules until they see the need for a good rule set. If doing so will get you beat up before you've successfully made your point, try suggesting 9-ball instead.

-Andrew
 
Haven't you learned

that Billiard rooms are where players know better, and Bars are where players don't know better.

Quit playing in Bars, and you won't have the problem. Besides, bars all have the regular 7 footers, and not the oversized 7 footer bar table.
 
Those rules,

Gregg said:
Right, we all know the drill;

These same local yokels who play by these rules are likely the same ones to enforce rules that benefit themselves and are customized to each opponent from game to game.

Anything but called ball and designated pocket is a joke, IMO.
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Those rules may help them against an average bar banger, but only if they play decent pool. But when someone who plays above average, who knows how to play kisses and caroms, it puts them in a much worse position. I always steer away from playing these rules, because I hate to argue, and hate to fight even more.
I used to play in a local bar that was known to have the best players in town hanging out there. One night a guy challenges the table, playing for $5 a game. One of the regulars, a guy in his late 40's who played pretty good pool, was shooting his last ball before the 8 and it grazed off another ball. The guy started arguing it was a bad shot, and got a little beligerant. Jim let him have it, and although they weren't playing Ball in hand rules, the guy ends up winning. So Jim racks the balls, and the guy breaks, making a stripe. He starts to shoot, and jim walks over and picks up the cue ball, and tells him he didin't call that ball, or the kiss off the ball next to it. The guy had no clue what to say. I think he sensed that he was about to get his ass beat if he argued the point. Jim just told him, you picked the rules, now play by em'. The guy lost that game, and decided to leave.
My opinion, if they wanna nit-pick about kisses and caroms, stick it to them. Tell them they have to designate which ball they intend to shoot the next shot and how they intend to get shape. Give em' about a 4" circle the cue-ball must stop in. NO LUCK, MEANS NO LUCK, even for shape. That will generally make the point. Guess thats why I stay away from those games. Too old to hassle with the kids stuff. HA HA!!!!!
 
ajohnson13 said:
"Straight 8" = Fantasy rules, i.e. make it up as you go...IMO ;)
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I have never heard the game called Straight 8 before, Its always been called 8 ball or stripes and solids around here. I learn something new every trip to azb. Thanks

highrun55
 
Snapshot9 said:
that Billiard rooms are where players know better, and Bars are where players don't know better.

Quit playing in Bars, and you won't have the problem. Besides, bars all have the regular 7 footers, and not the oversized 7 footer bar table.
Click to expand...

I agree, except when I left NY 10 years ago, all the bar tables were still 3 x 6, with big cue balls. I also never heard of "straight 8" till I moved to South Carolina.
 
highrun55 said:
I have never heard the game called Straight 8 before, Its always been called 8 ball or stripes and solids around here. I learn something new every trip to azb. Thanks

highrun55
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In the Seattle area, the term "Vegas Rules" is commonly used to describe BIH rules. I had never heard this term before I moved here. "Straight 8" or "Bar Rules" is used to describe about every other version of 8 ball that does not use BIH rules.

In the last 2 years I have migrated away from shooting in bars, except for some weekly tournaments and APA. Playing with skilled players that have a respect for the game is much more rewarding...imo.
 
LOL, all bars have their own rules, you may be right , you may be wrong. If you are playing in a bar you need to buddy up with a local to learn the rules. In the bar I play in as long as the cue ball hit the rail between the pocket and 1st diamond it would count, otherwise you might get your butt kicked. Bars are funny that way.
 
Soft rail is good

I play a lot of barbox 8-ball. Where I play if the ball slides in as you descrided it is OK. It is called a soft rail.
We do have to call all kisses and caroms. They can also be called when you are playing the 8. No such thing as 8 must go clean. If you do call the kiss and it goes clean you lose.
When kissing your ball of a hanger, off of,with and after are all the same.
We also play that you have what you make on the break. Unless at least one of each goes down then it is open.
No one would understand the other rules that would be asociated with real open after the break rules.:confused:
Most of the guys won't take what they did not intend so we only make absolute calls on shots with questionable results.:cool:
Now I would not gamble with these rules, but they do seem to work pretty well for a friendly game of what I would call Gentlemans barbox 8.
 
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