Ruling please

D

dontscratch

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Was playing in a local 9 ball tournament with 16 players. A heated disagreement started taking place at the far end of the room. One of the out of town players was saying that you can not push off of the object ball.
I have always played you can push off of any ball,including the object ball.
Ruling please.
 
When you say "push off of" do you mean hitting an object ball with your pool cue? Or are you saying hitting the cue ball with your pool cue into an object ball?
 
Out of town guy is wrong, you can do whatever you like after calling push. You can pot a ball even, and it stays down unless it's the 9.
 
As far as I know, the only ball you can use the cue on is the cue ball. You call push, you can hit the cue ball to another location, pocket or reposition one or more of the object balls by hitting them with the cue ball. But ya gotta hit the cue ball with the cue to execute the shot.
 
Yes, sorry, should have made that clear, the rule is the tip must contact the cue ball. The cueball doesn't have to hit a ball or a rail, you can hit or pot any ball on the table (using the cueball), only the 9 is re-spotted if you pot it.
 
Sorry I did not make my post clear enough. The shot after the break where you can push or not, can you call a push and play off of the lowest numbered ball on the table?
 
Yes! Reminder, if you make a ball and end up where you can't make the next ball. On a push, your opponent can give back the shot and make you shoot it.

dontscratch said:
Sorry I did not make my post clear enough. The shot after the break where you can push or not, can you call a push and play off of the lowest numbered ball on the table?
Click to expand...
 
Who would argue you cannot use the push to tie up balls or move the 9 out of the pocket?

Seriously- who said that isn't allowed?

And the locals are in action against the visitors?

Your va neighbors want to know what is happening down there, moore or less, present or futrell, ya know? Even if they are necwton, carmona off the news!
 
dontscratch said:
thank you Jay
Click to expand...

I've actually seen a player (a very good player!) call a push shot and make the one ball, leaving a difficult looking shot on the two. He totally confused his opponent (also a good player) and the guy stood there transfixed for a moment, unsure about how to proceed. He looked up at me and I just shook my head. It was a legal shot and now he had the choice to shoot or pass it back. The second player appeared to be a little lost as to what to do and finally gave the shot back. Then the first player who had pushed out, quickly got down and shot a lock up safety. The other guy had not seen or even considered this option, because he had been so stymied in his thinking. He fouled and lost the game. That was a turning point in the match and the first player went on to win decisively.
 
That seems a little dumb though- not that pool is a particularly smart thing, but anyway...

The pushing player had on thought it through, so why take the chance of allowing his opponent the opportunity to shoot the 2?

Izzz confused, but dum people are happier!!!!
jay helfert said:
I've actually seen a player (a very good player!) call a push shot and make the one ball, leaving a difficult looking shot on the two. He totally confused his opponent (also a good player) and the guy stood there transfixed for a moment, unsure about how to proceed. He looked up at me and I just shook my head. It was a legal shot and now he had the choice to shoot or pass it back. The second player appeared to be a little lost as to what to do and finally gave the shot back. Then the first player who had pushed out, quickly got down and shot a lock up safety. The other guy had not seen or even considered this option, because he had been so stymied in his thinking. He fouled and lost the game. That was a turning point in the match and the first player went on to win decisively.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
On a "push out", I can think of a couple scenarios that would require hitting the lowest number on the table.
1) The low ball is very close to a pocket but you have another ball blocking your shot. In this case you may opt to kick at the ball so it won't be near the pocket for your opponent.
2) You can only see part of the low ball, not enough to pocket it. You can play a safety but are worried that the speed of the cue ball needed may not hit a rail. So you call a "push out" just in case you don't get the rail.
These situations don't come up to often but it is possible.

But to the OP, you can hit the lowest number on the table with a "push out".
 
dontscratch said:
Was playing in a local 9 ball tournament with 16 players. A heated disagreement started taking place at the far end of the room. One of the out of town players was saying that you can not push off of the object ball.
I have always played you can push off of any ball,including the object ball.
Ruling please.
Click to expand...

Do you mean you can't call a push then hit the cueball into another ball? Sure you can, watch any number of pro matches out there, you can call a push and hit another ball, or no ball. Or 4 balls, or pocket a ball, or do a jump shot if you want LOL, as long as you make a legal hit on the cueball and not commit another foul, it's all good.

Saying "push off the object ball" is a bit confusing.
 
I have had to explain the "pushout" to players who did not know what it was. I tried to keep it as simple as possible and told them you can do anything except sink the cue ball and by anything I meant anything. The thing to remember is the opponent can always give it back to you. Usuallygot the job done.
 
hang-the-9 said:
Do you mean you can't call a push then hit the cueball into another ball? Sure you can, watch any number of pro matches out there, you can call a push and hit another ball, or no ball. Or 4 balls, or pocket a ball, or do a jump shot if you want LOL, as long as you make a legal hit on the cueball and not commit another foul, it's all good.

Saying "push off the object ball" is a bit confusing.
Click to expand...



I agree, confusing it is. Maybe what the OP meant was is it legal to pushout against the 1 ball, (or the lowest number on the table) moving it to a position more favorable to a win.

moving the 1 and calling safety would be a bit odd.




Edit, I can see i was late to the party, my "clarification" was already answered.
 
Last edited:
I'm not sure I understand everyone's confusion here. It was clear to me from the first read of the OP that he meant can you push out and hit the one first. Of course this has been answered numerous times with a resounding yes.

The most important part of playing a push is to know your opponent. Playing a push that may highlight an opponents weakness while playing to your own strengths is a sound strategy. I have pushed moving a one ball which had no pocket into safety leaving a jump shot option. I got the shot back and ran the rack. Even if my opponent shot the one, I knew I was far better at jumping than he was and knew he would probably sell out. You may know your intended shot after the push but he may not.

Which leads me to a little after push strategy. Most players who pass the push usually do so without actually examining the table. Even if they do it is usually a brief glimpse and then a sheepish "go ahead". Take the time to see the options available before you pass. See all the options available and make the decision if the odds are better that he will not execute the shot better than you will. I've seen many runout players pass on a push shot only to find themselves in prison after a safety they didn't take the time to find, I've put many of them there myself. It is one of the most satisfying things to perfectly execute a safety and leave a guy kicking himself for not seeing or having the balls to play that shot himself.

This leads me back to the OP. Why on earth would anyone argue against their own option. The player arguing was basically only trying to argue away their own right to pass the shot back. Unless maybe he made the one and got hooked on the two or didn't execute a legal shot, i.e. no rail, I don't see any need to argue against it.
 
If I fail to make 3 balls pass the line at 9ball break. And my opponent decide to let me play.

Can I still play a "push" ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top