Shooting with extra equipment on the table

[longhair]

I hope this sort of thing is interesting to at least a few of you. I am constantly encountering new stuff I'm not sure of.

A few days ago I was playing a match, this time with a VERY good and experienced player, when he did something I'd never seen.

He had two balls lady, both outside the rack but close to the foot spot. He put the rack on the table to help him judge the position. He left it there as he shot his 14th ball and got shape for the break shot.

Nothing hit the rack during the shot so I said nothing and he continued. It's only a league match, it didn't change the outcome, and it's a pleasure to watch him play. No harm done.

After the match a few players discussed the issue and I claimed that in a refereed match this would be a foul. Others disagreed.

Opinions?




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dmgwalsh]

I hope this sort of thing is interesting to at least a few of you. I am constantly encountering new stuff I'm not sure of.

A few days ago I was playing a match, this time with a VERY good and experienced player, when he did something I'd never seen.

He had two balls lady, both outside the rack but close to the foot spot. He put the rack on the table to help him judge the position. He left it there as he shot his 14th ball and got shape for the break shot.

Nothing hit the rack during the shot so I said nothing and he continued. It's only a league match, it didn't change the outcome, and it's a pleasure to watch him play. No harm done.

After the match a few players discussed the issue and I claimed that in a refereed match this would be a foul. Others disagreed.

Opinions?




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I am sure that Professor Jewett will give us the definitive answer, although he may just tell us to read the rules.

My gut tells me no way in hell can you leave the rack on the table.

 

[stevekur1]

I hope this sort of thing is interesting to at least a few of you. I am constantly encountering new stuff I'm not sure of.

A few days ago I was playing a match, this time with a VERY good and experienced player, when he did something I'd never seen.

He had two balls lady, both outside the rack but close to the foot spot. He put the rack on the table to help him judge the position. He left it there as he shot his 14th ball and got shape for the break shot.

Nothing hit the rack during the shot so I said nothing and he continued. It's only a league match, it didn't change the outcome, and it's a pleasure to watch him play. No harm done.

After the match a few players discussed the issue and I claimed that in a refereed match this would be a foul. Others disagreed.

Opinions?




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

In the league that i run, i dont even allow the player to layer the rack on the table to judge weather or not a ball is in the rack.

the player can hold the rack over the rack area though to get a visual.

so i would say in this situation that this would be a foul.

-Steve

 

[Lynch]

In this league that I play in, it is the same way with not being allowed to touch the table with the rack. Holding the rack over the table is fine. I wasn't sure if this was just our in-house rule or more universal. It sounds like the later.

In the league that i run, i dont even allow the player to layer the rack on the table to judge weather or not a ball is in the rack.

the player can hold the rack over the rack area though to get a visual.

so i would say in this situation that this would be a foul.

-Steve

 

[alstl]

I'm sure it is against the rules although it is hard for me to envision a scenario where a top player would need to do that or gain a benefit.

 

[Bob Jewett]

The player should not touch the rack. On the other hand, the outline of the rack is required to be drawn on the table. If you ignore the latter rule, you're on your own on the first. Personally I see no reason to forbid placement of the rack on the table if the outline is missing provided no ball is touched. Leaving the rack on the table for a shot should not be allowed and could be considered a form of marking the table.

One related thing that happens is that sometimes a player will get the bridge out and then decide not to use it but leave it on the table while he shoots. I think there is no problem with this.

 

[mnhighrunlist]

We have a "house rule" in our league that you can use the rack to check if balls would be in the rack area due to the fact we do not have rack outlines drawn on the tables.

I certainly agree that leaving the rack on the table while shooting should be a foul.

-Dennis

 

[gerard soriano]

To the best of my knowledge if there is no outline marked on the table for the rack you are allowed to place the rack on the table, but no way are you allowed to leave it there while shooting

 

[3andstop]

No reason why, when so many players are hunting for ridiculous new gimmicks for their cue cases, that they shouldn't include something practical like one of these things ... look how inexpensive they are! and one will most likely last forever. And that's if you want to splurge. The soapstone without the holder only is about 20 cents.

And they rub right off as well so the room owner won't be mad. These are an absolute must for both straight pool and 1 pocket games IMO.

 

[Dan White]

While we're talking about laying things on the table... It is OK to use your cue to measure an angle or distance AS LONG AS you do not let go of your cue. If you lay it down and let go, using it as a measuring tool, it is a foul.

Is it a foul to put your beer in the corner pocket while you shoot?

 

[dmgwalsh]

No reason why, when so many players are hunting for ridiculous new gimmicks for their cue cases, that they shouldn't include something practical like one of these things ... look how inexpensive they are! and one will most likely last forever. And that's if you want to splurge. The soapstone without the holder only is about 20 cents.

And they rub right off as well so the room owner won't be mad. These are an absolute must for both straight pool and 1 pocket games IMO.

Very cool! Will need to pick a few up for the league.

:thumbup:

 

[Pete]

The player should not touch the rack. On the other hand, the outline of the rack is required to be drawn on the table. If you ignore the latter rule, you're on your own on the first. Personally I see no reason to forbid placement of the rack on the table if the outline is missing provided no ball is touched. Leaving the rack on the table for a shot should not be allowed and could be considered a form of marking the table.

One related thing that happens is that sometimes a player will get the bridge out and then decide not to use it but leave it on the table while he shoots. I think there is no problem with this.

Agreed and well stated sir...

 

[3andstop]

Very cool! Will need to pick a few up for the league.

:thumbup:

Yes, they are very useful. Before you use it, put it on either a grindstone or course sandpaper and file / sand the point to a sharp edge like a carpenter's pencil so it won't interfere with the rack as you outline it. :thumbup: Also, an fyi, to draw a quick line from the footspot to the center of the end rail for lining up balls, a cue shaft will work if you take your time and align the shaft edge on both ends. Both outlines are done in no time at all. They don't have to be dark, just have to be there.

 

[leto1776]

No reason why, when so many players are hunting for ridiculous new gimmicks for their cue cases, that they shouldn't include something practical like one of these things ... look how inexpensive they are! and one will most likely last forever. And that's if you want to splurge. The soapstone without the holder only is about 20 cents.

And they rub right off as well so the room owner won't be mad. These are an absolute must for both straight pool and 1 pocket games IMO.

When marking the cloth, should I trace the inside or outside of the rack?

 

[Bob Jewett]

When marking the cloth, should I trace the inside or outside of the rack?

The outside. The line is supposed to tell you when you can't rack because the 15th ball is in the way. Drawing the line on the inside of the rack wouldn't tell you that.

 

[leto1776]

The outside. The line is supposed to tell you when you can't rack because the 15th ball is in the way. Drawing the line on the inside of the rack wouldn't tell you that.

That's what I had figured, but wanted to make sure.

 

[dmgwalsh]

Yes, they are very useful. Before you use it, put it on either a grindstone or course sandpaper and file / sand the point to a sharp edge like a carpenter's pencil so it won't interfere with the rack as you outline it. :thumbup: Also, an fyi, to draw a quick line from the footspot to the center of the end rail for lining up balls, a cue shaft will work if you take your time and align the shaft edge on both ends. Both outlines are done in no time at all. They don't have to be dark, just have to be there.

I got them in the mail this weekend. Used a sharp knife to sharpen it somewhat. Worked pretty good on my home table. I will bring it to the pool hall and use it there, where it is actually needed. Who knows. Maybe I will start a trend. I picked up 5 of them just in case.

 

[Bob Jewett]

I got a tailor's/dressmaker's chalk pencil from a local arts and crafts store (JoAnn's?). It is refillable in various colors. I just looked to see if it was still sold but I can't find it any more.

You can get solid chalk pencils from the UK. You sharpen them like regular pencils.

The local pool hall lets me mark the table as long as I mostly remove the marking when I leave.

 

[dmgwalsh]

I got a tailor's/dressmaker's chalk pencil from a local arts and crafts store (JoAnn's?). It is refillable in various colors. I just looked to see if it was still sold but I can't find it any more.

You can get solid chalk pencils from the UK. You sharpen them like regular pencils.

The local pool hall lets me mark the table as long as I mostly remove the marking when I leave.

Bob: I bought some tailor's chalk based on your recommendation. It came in a big oddly shaped piece. The soapstone pencil above, does seem to work ok. Maybe I will also check out the tailor's pencil from the uk.

 

[dmgwalsh]

I got them in the mail this weekend. Used a sharp knife to sharpen it somewhat. Worked pretty good on my home table. I will bring it to the pool hall and use it there, where it is actually needed. Who knows. Maybe I will start a trend. I picked up 5 of them just in case.

Debuted the soapstone triangle during league night at Red Shoes yesterday. Easy to apply, worked like a dream.

I asked the owner after I was done whether he wanted me to leave it or wipe it off. Bobby Hunter was there at the time. He said the triangle should be drawn on all the tables. Lavin said I could leave it on.

I think we may have started something.