In all pool games after contacting the object ball, a ball must be pocketed or driven to a rail. (Snooker doesn't have this rule and English 8 ball has an exception to the rule when the player is snookered)
The rule is a great rule for almost every pool game. It makes safety play more difficult and keeps games from getting really boring. Here are some reasons it is needed in particular games.
1. 8 ball - Safety play would be far too easy and it is already easy because unless both players are on the 8, they have to shoot at different balls. So without rule you could just roll the cue ball up to your ball resulting in too many easy safeties.
2. One pocket, straight pool - games where the balls aren't spread from the rack - roll up to the pack to leave opponent no good shot. It is an easy safety.
Question #1. What does this rule accomplish in Rotation games like 9 ball, 10 ball, and Rotation, and is it beneficial?
It does prevent cue balls being rolled up on ball unless that ball is almost touching a rail. I see how that speeds up the game and lessens safety play. It makes it easier in general to play a safety because you don't have to worry about hitting the ball hard enough.
Question #2. Would it be better to suspend this rule (like they to in English 8 ball) when the player was snookered? This way after the player makes a 5 rail kick to hit the ball they don't have to worry about getting a rail afterwards!!! I am not talking about the practicality of implementing it, just the fairness of it at this point.
My thoughts are also coming out of a perspective that Jump Cues should be banned and that a great kick shouldn't be a foul because of no Contact with the rail afterwards.
The rule is a great rule for almost every pool game. It makes safety play more difficult and keeps games from getting really boring. Here are some reasons it is needed in particular games.
1. 8 ball - Safety play would be far too easy and it is already easy because unless both players are on the 8, they have to shoot at different balls. So without rule you could just roll the cue ball up to your ball resulting in too many easy safeties.
2. One pocket, straight pool - games where the balls aren't spread from the rack - roll up to the pack to leave opponent no good shot. It is an easy safety.
Question #1. What does this rule accomplish in Rotation games like 9 ball, 10 ball, and Rotation, and is it beneficial?
It does prevent cue balls being rolled up on ball unless that ball is almost touching a rail. I see how that speeds up the game and lessens safety play. It makes it easier in general to play a safety because you don't have to worry about hitting the ball hard enough.
Question #2. Would it be better to suspend this rule (like they to in English 8 ball) when the player was snookered? This way after the player makes a 5 rail kick to hit the ball they don't have to worry about getting a rail afterwards!!! I am not talking about the practicality of implementing it, just the fairness of it at this point.
My thoughts are also coming out of a perspective that Jump Cues should be banned and that a great kick shouldn't be a foul because of no Contact with the rail afterwards.
