The Call Eight Spot in Nine Ball

[Samiel]

I should know this, but the more I think about, the more I doubt myself.

Can someone define the "Call Eight" spot in Nine Ball?

Here are some scenarios:

1. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket on the break. I break, make the 1-ball, but do not pocket the 8-ball. Do I keep shooting?

2. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket on the break. I break, make the 8-ball in the corner. Do I keep shooting?

3. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket. I make the 8-ball in a different pocket. Do I keep shooting?

4. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket. I make the 9-ball, but miss the 8-ball. Do I win?

In BCA Eight Ball, if you don't make a ball in the pocket you designate (ignoring the break), you don't continue shooting. Is this the same for Nine Ball when you have to "call" a ball?

 

[BVal]

I should know this, but the more I think about, the more I doubt myself.

Can someone define the "Call Eight" spot in Nine Ball?

Here are some scenarios:

1. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket on the break. I break, make the 1-ball, but do not pocket the 8-ball. Do I keep shooting?

2. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket on the break. I break, make the 8-ball in the corner. Do I keep shooting?

3. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket. I make the 8-ball in a different pocket. Do I keep shooting?

4. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket. I make the 9-ball, but miss the 8-ball. Do I win?

In BCA Eight Ball, if you don't make a ball in the pocket you designate (ignoring the break), you don't continue shooting. Is this the same for Nine Ball when you have to "call" a ball?

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. Yes as long as you hit the 8 first.

Nine ball you don't have to call the pocket unless you are gambling and that is the spot.

This is the way I play your scenerios. Others may play them different depending on where they are at.

BVal

 

[Omar]

I should know this, but the more I think about, the more I doubt myself.

Can someone define the "Call Eight" spot in Nine Ball?

Here are some scenarios:

1. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket on the break. I break, make the 1-ball, but do not pocket the 8-ball. Do I keep shooting?

2. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket on the break. I break, make the 8-ball in the corner. Do I keep shooting?

3. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket. I make the 8-ball in a different pocket. Do I keep shooting?

4. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket. I make the 9-ball, but miss the 8-ball. Do I win?

In BCA Eight Ball, if you don't make a ball in the pocket you designate (ignoring the break), you don't continue shooting. Is this the same for Nine Ball when you have to "call" a ball?

The answer to the first four questions is yes, although I have never played in a game or tournament where the opponent was allowed to call the spot ball on the break.

 

[DeadPoked]

I should know this, but the more I think about, the more I doubt myself.

Can someone define the "Call Eight" spot in Nine Ball?

Here are some scenarios:

1. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket on the break. I break, make the 1-ball, but do not pocket the 8-ball. Do I keep shooting? Yes

2. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket on the break. I break, make the 8-ball in the corner. Do I keep shooting? Yes

3. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket. I make the 8-ball in a different pocket. Do I keep shooting? Yes

4. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket. I make the 9-ball, but miss the 8-ball. Do I win? Yes

In BCA Eight Ball, if you don't make a ball in the pocket you designate (ignoring the break), you don't continue shooting. Is this the same for Nine Ball when you have to "call" a ball?

No

Basically it means you have 1 more money ball, including the 9, and whenever it's pocketed it has to be called so that you can win. It's basically used so that you can't luck the ball in on the break or afterwards. Some people play you can't call it on the break, you should determine that beforehand.

Hope this helps.

 

[Black-Balled]

It doesn't matter what we say here...the points raised by you are all subtleties that need to be addressed prior to start.

I should know this, but the more I think about, the more I doubt myself.

Can someone define the "Call Eight" spot in Nine Ball?

Here are some scenarios:

1. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket on the break. I break, make the 1-ball, but do not pocket the 8-ball. Do I keep shooting?

2. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket on the break. I break, make the 8-ball in the corner. Do I keep shooting?

3. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket. I make the 8-ball in a different pocket. Do I keep shooting?

4. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket. I make the 9-ball, but miss the 8-ball. Do I win?

In BCA Eight Ball, if you don't make a ball in the pocket you designate (ignoring the break), you don't continue shooting. Is this the same for Nine Ball when you have to "call" a ball?

 

[td873]

(Assuming a legal shot everytime)

1. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket on the break. I break, make the 1-ball, but do not pocket the 8-ball. Do I keep shooting?

Yes. All legally pocketed balls count during your inning. AND if you make the 8 in the designated pocket, you win. Keep in mind, that some people play "money ball on the break" isn't a win. You just spot it up. This should be clarified before you start.

2. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket on the break. I break, make the 8-ball in the corner. Do I keep shooting?

Yes. But it may or may not spot, depending on the rules in place. Sometimes, the 8 is ONLY spotted when it is pocketed by your opponent on a foul. If you foul and pocket the 8, it stays down (i.e., tough luck). If you pocket it on a legal shot, but in the wrong pocket, it stays down. You keep shooting, as if you slopped in a ball. No spotting allowed (othewise, you could get many chances to win with 1 spot ball). This should be clarified before you start.

3. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket. I make the 8-ball in a different pocket. Do I keep shooting?

Same as #2, except this isn't a break. It's just another slopped ball - and would not spot.

4. I call the 8-ball in the side pocket. I make the 9-ball, but miss the 8-ball. Do I win?

Yes. The 9 is always a win, no matter what.

In BCA Eight Ball, if you don't make a ball in the pocket you designate (ignoring the break), you don't continue shooting. Is this the same for Nine Ball when you have to "call" a ball?

9 ball does not have a call pocket rule. If you make a legal hit and pocket something, you keep going. Call-8 means "call-8 to win" not "call-8 to keep shooting." So you win if you call the 8 and pocket it. Otherwise, the general rules of 9-ball apply. I.e., if you pocket anything on a legal shot you keep shooting (that is, unless you win, in which case the game is over).

-td

 

[KoolKat9Lives]

are you spotting?

I agree in the above situations - don't spot the 8.

However, how do people play in the scenario where the person Giving the call 8 decides to deliberately shoot the 8 in, out of turn without making a legal hit on the lowest # OB? Or calls a push and shoots the 8 in... Or smashes the OB into the 8 and the 8 leaves the table...

I'd think you'd have to spot the 8 in these 3 situations.

???

 

[wahcheck]

this one makes the most sense

I agree with Black-Balled on his reply..........the bottom line is what is actually decided upon with whomever you are playing with at that time.....

 

[KoolKat9Lives]

I agree with Black-Balled on his reply..........the bottom line is what is actually decided upon with whomever you are playing with at that time.....

The reality is that most people don't cover all this ground before they rack 'em. I think what most people would like to know about these questions, is what is the "customary" rulings. If a dispute arises then you could say "uhuh mate, the customary way to handle this situation is to spot it. I know it's customary because I read it on AZB's forum!"

I think if the 8 goes in it stays down unless the guy giving the 8 doesn't make it "legally". That would seem customary to me.

 

[Deadon]

1. yes
2. no
3. no
4. yes

This is how we always played it. If the 8 isn't legally pocketed, it spots, and doesn't count as a pocketed ball.

But in general, these are agreed upon before, and can significantly change the value of the spot.

 

[JayTS]

I agree in the above situations - don't spot the 8.

However, how do people play in the scenario where the person Giving the call 8 decides to deliberately shoot the 8 in out of turn without making a legal hit on the lowest # OB? Yes, the 8 should spotted in this situation.
Or calls a push and shoots the 8 in. Yes, the 8 should spotted in this situation.
Or smashes the OB into the 8 and the 8 leaves the table. No, as long as the lowest ball is struck first on the table it is a legal shot and that player continues shooting.

I'd think you'd have to spot the 8 in these 3 situations.

???

Also, if your opponent makes the 8 on his break it spots before he continues to shoot

I hope this helped.. -J

 

[Black-Balled]

I agree in the above situations - don't spot the 8.

However, how do people play in the scenario where the person Giving the call 8 decides to deliberately shoot the 8 in, out of turn without making a legal hit on the lowest # OB? Or calls a push and shoots the 8 in... Or smashes the OB into the 8 and the 8 leaves the table...
I'd think you'd have to spot the 8 in these 3 situations.

???

That is an easy one to resolve. The person getting spotted puts the 9 in the hole and says, "that one doesn't spot either, right?". This usually leads to the end of the match-up

 

[androd]

I agree in the above situations - don't spot the 8.

However, how do people play in the scenario where the person Giving the call 8 decides to deliberately shoot the 8 in, out of turn without making a legal hit on the lowest # OB? Or calls a push and shoots the 8 in... Or smashes the OB into the 8 and the 8 leaves the table...

I'd think you'd have to spot the 8 in these 3 situations.

???

if your spotting you want it to stay down, if your getting the spot it should come up. duh
yes you would bring it up in those situtations.

 

[KoolKat9Lives]

if your spotting you want it to stay down, if your getting the spot it should come up. duh
yes you would bring it up in those situtations.

Now I'm scratching my head wondering if there is a customary way. I'm going to ask a bunch of fellow pool players in my neck of the woods how they play it. I guess there's no tourney or league rules out there governing how to handle weight balls in 9?

Black-Balled - that's a funny one - end the match-up, lol. There may be a person or two that might employ such unsavory tactics though. Ya never know...

I play or see guys play and all that is said is "give me the call 8". I don't recall any discussion of spotting rules (other than on the break), and for the life of me I can't remember how an illegally pocketed 8 is handled.

We damn near need an attorney to determine everything upfront. All ball fouls, spotting rules, ahead deadlines, the list goes on and on.

 

[androd]

Now I'm scratching my head wondering if there is a customary way. I'm going to ask a bunch of fellow pool players in my neck of the woods how they play it. I guess there's no tourney or league rules out there governing how to handle weight balls in 9?

Black-Balled - that's a funny one - end the match-up, lol. There may be a person or two that might employ such unsavory tactics though. Ya never know...

I play or see guys play and all that is said is "give me the call 8". I don't recall any discussion of spotting rules (other than on the break), and for the life of me I can't remember how an illegally pocketed 8 is handled.

We damn near need an attorney to determine everything upfront. All ball fouls, spotting rules, ahead deadlines, the list goes on and on.

when i started playing we spotted all the balls, before texas express. the guys giving the spot came up with, if you foul the eight in it stays down. we always got the rules straight before starting the game.( long time ago) they also tried not to spot the ball before the eight if it was their inning as it wasn't their money ball.

 

[Samiel]

Call-8 means "call-8 to win" not "call-8 to keep shooting." So you win if you call the 8 and pocket it. Otherwise, the general rules of 9-ball apply.
-td

I think this helps me. "Call-8 to win, not to keep shooting" means that if you legally make a ball, you can keep shooting, but you don't win (unless it's the 9-ball).

Does everyone agree with this? We can argue about spotting balls later!

 

[Pushout]

The answer to the first four questions is yes, although I have never played in a game or tournament where the opponent was allowed to call the spot ball on the break.

I've never even seen the call 8 called on the break. If it went on the break, it was spotted.

 

[jay helfert]

Often when getting the "Call Eight" in 9-Ball, the eight ball will be wild on the break. Meaning if you make it on the break, you win. But this is something that must be decided before you start.

Also if the eight ball goes in a foul (i.e. your opponent makes it out of turn), it spots back up. Your money ball(s) will always spot back up on a bad hit or foul. Now if it goes in a good hit and you didn't call it, or your opponent made it, it stays down. Got it?