Weird house rules?
- Thread starter leto1776
- Start date
We don't have a hall close by either...so it's pretty much tavern play. At the tavern I frequent, there are two tables. Typically one of the tables is designated as the "Straight 8, call shot" table while the other table is either "BCAPL rules or Vegas rules (pretty close to BCAPL)" table. It works out great...everybody gets to play what rules they prefer.
Let me rephrase.... Maine State Eagles rules....at least as I understand it.
Funny stuff.
I used to play out of a bar that had an awesome house rule:
Every time a ball left a table and hit the floor, and every time a house cue was dropped on the ground, everyone would yell out "QUARTER!" and the offender had to put a quarter in a huge can.
If someone got an 8 on the break in a game (no practice rounds) they would win half the pot. The other half was cashed in and put in an envelope that went towards new house cues, replacement sets of balls, and once a year refelting and rails. The half the pot was nothing to sneeze at: I'd hit it once a month or so and get $100 to $150 (!), with the house record being $180 or so.
People who refused to pay a quarter for offenses (and there were a surprising amount of people who refused) would get 86-ed. It was pretty great all around.
Every time a ball left a table and hit the floor, and every time a house cue was dropped on the ground, everyone would yell out "QUARTER!" and the offender had to put a quarter in a huge can.
If someone got an 8 on the break in a game (no practice rounds) they would win half the pot. The other half was cashed in and put in an envelope that went towards new house cues, replacement sets of balls, and once a year refelting and rails. The half the pot was nothing to sneeze at: I'd hit it once a month or so and get $100 to $150 (!), with the house record being $180 or so.
People who refused to pay a quarter for offenses (and there were a surprising amount of people who refused) would get 86-ed. It was pretty great all around.
Secaucus Fats
Banned
Here are the House Rules for 8 Ball used at my neighborhood pub. Basically they are WPA rules modified for a coin-op table, and ball in hand is "behind the line". I'm still working on getting the guys to agree to "ball in hand anywhere on the table" but I have made much progress from the bad old days of typical "call all details" bar rules.
The only ones who ever whine about the rules are the bangers.
House Rules for 8 Ball
1.) Object of the game: Eight Ball is a call shot game played with a cue ball and 15 object balls, numbered 1 through 15. One player must pocket balls of the group numbered 1 through 7 (solids), while the other player has 9 through 15 (stripes). The player pocketing his entire group first, and then legally pocketing the 8 ball wins the game.
2.) Call Shot: In call shot obvious balls and pockets do not have to be indicated. It is the opponent’s right to ask which ball and pocket if he is unsure of the shot. Bank shots, combination shots, and kicks are not considered obvious and must be called. When calling a shot it is never necessary to indicate details such as the number of cushions, banks, kisses, caroms etc. The opening break is not a called shot and the player breaking may continue to shoot so long as any object ball is legally pocketed on the break.
3.) Challenger racks / Winner breaks: The incoming challenger puts up the quarters and racks. The player who won the previous game breaks.
4.) Racking the Balls. The balls are racked in a triangle at the foot of the table with the 8 ball in the center, the one on the foot spot, a stripe in one corner and a solid in the other.
5.) Scratch on the break: If a player scratches on the break, the table is open and the incoming player has ball in hand behind the head string , and may not shoot at an object ball behind the head string unless he first shoots the cue past the head string and causes the cue ball to come back and hit the object ball.
6.) Balls jumped off the table on the break: If a player jumps any ball (except the 8 ball) off the table on the break it is considered a foul and the incoming player has the choice of: a.) accepting the table in position as is, or: b.) taking the cue ball in hand behind the head string. If the 8 ball is jumped off the table it is an automatic loss of game. Any other ball is spotted.
7.) 8 Ball on the break: If the 8 ball is pocketed on the break it is an automatic win for the breaker. However, if the breaking player commits a foul, or scratches, it is loss of game.
8.) Open Table: (Defined) The table is “open” when the choice of groups (stripes or solids) has yet to be determined. When the table is open, it is legal to hit any solid or stripe first in the process of pocketing the called ball. However, on an open table it is a foul to contact the 8 ball first and no pocketed ball will be scored in favor of the shooter. The shooter loses his turn; the incoming player has ball in hand behind the headstring and the table is still “open”.
9.) Choice of Group: The choice of stripes or solids is not determined on the break, even if balls are made from only one or both groups. The choice of group is determined only when a player legally pockets a called object ball after the break.
10.) Legal Shot: (Defined) On all shots (except the break, and when the table is open, the shooter must hit one of his group of balls first and: a.) pocket a numbered ball, or: b.) cause the cue ball or any numbered ball to contact a rail. It is permissible for the shooter to bank the cue ball off a rail before contacting the object ball. Failure to meet these requirements is a foul.
11.) Safety Shots: For tactical reasons a player may choose to execute a legal shot and also give up his turn at the table. If the shooter intends to pocket one of his balls in the execution of a safety he must make his opponent aware of his intention. If this is not done, and one of the shooter’s object balls is pocketed, the shooter will be required to shoot again.
12.) Scoring: A player is entitled to continue shooting until failing to legally pocket a ball of his group. After legally pocketing his entire group of balls, he shoots to pocket the 8 ball.
13.) Foul Penalty: Opposing player gets cue ball in hand behind the headstring.
14.) Shooting Ball in Hand from the Headstring: When the cue ball is in hand behind the head string, and the object ball is also behind the head string, the shot is a foul unless: The cue ball crosses the head string before that contact. The cue ball must cross the head string or the shot is a foul, and the cue ball is in hand behind the line for the following player. The shooter may elect to kick at the object ball or he may request that the object ball be spotted for the shot, (See 15. Spotting Ball).
15.) Spotting A Ball: If all of the incoming player’s object balls are behind the line he can request that one of his object balls be spotted (placed on the footspot).
16.) Combination Shots: Combination shots are allowed; however the 8 ball can’t be used as the first ball in the combination unless it is the shooter’s last remaining ball. Otherwise, should such contact occur on the 8 ball, it is a foul.
17.) Balls jumped off the table: If the cue ball or any object ball is jumped off the table it is a foul and loss of turn, unless it is the 8 ball which is loss of game. Jumped object balls are not re-spotted.
18.) Cue Ball Fouls Only: It is not a foul to accidentally touch stationary balls located between the cue ball and the shooter while in the act of shooting. If such an accident occurs, the player should inform his opponent who may then request that the ball be placed back where it was originally, or opt to leave it as it is.
19.) Jump and Masse’ Shot Foul: While cue ball fouls only is the rule of play, players should be aware that it will be considered a cue ball foul if during an attempt to execute a jump, curve, or masse’ shot over or around an impeding ball that is not a legal object ball, the impeding ball moves (regardless of whether it was moved by a hand, cue stick, or bridge).
20.) Playing the 8 Ball: When the 8 ball is the legal object ball, a scratch or foul is not loss of game if the 8 ball is not pocketed or is not jumped off the table. The shooter gives up his turn at the table and the incoming player has ball in hand behind the headstring.
21.) Loss of Game:
A player loses the game if he, or she:
a.) Fouls when pocketing the 8 ball.
b.) Pockets the 8 ball on the same stroke as the last of his group.
c.) Jumps the 8 ball off the table (at any time).
d.) Pockets the 8 ball in a pocket other than the one designated.
e.) Pockets the 8 ball when it is not the legal object ball.
Note: All fouls must be called before another shot is taken, or else it will be deemed that no infraction occurred.
Conduct yourselves at all times like ladies and gentlemen. Please respect your opponent, the table, and the equipment.
The only ones who ever whine about the rules are the bangers.
House Rules for 8 Ball
1.) Object of the game: Eight Ball is a call shot game played with a cue ball and 15 object balls, numbered 1 through 15. One player must pocket balls of the group numbered 1 through 7 (solids), while the other player has 9 through 15 (stripes). The player pocketing his entire group first, and then legally pocketing the 8 ball wins the game.
2.) Call Shot: In call shot obvious balls and pockets do not have to be indicated. It is the opponent’s right to ask which ball and pocket if he is unsure of the shot. Bank shots, combination shots, and kicks are not considered obvious and must be called. When calling a shot it is never necessary to indicate details such as the number of cushions, banks, kisses, caroms etc. The opening break is not a called shot and the player breaking may continue to shoot so long as any object ball is legally pocketed on the break.
3.) Challenger racks / Winner breaks: The incoming challenger puts up the quarters and racks. The player who won the previous game breaks.
4.) Racking the Balls. The balls are racked in a triangle at the foot of the table with the 8 ball in the center, the one on the foot spot, a stripe in one corner and a solid in the other.
5.) Scratch on the break: If a player scratches on the break, the table is open and the incoming player has ball in hand behind the head string , and may not shoot at an object ball behind the head string unless he first shoots the cue past the head string and causes the cue ball to come back and hit the object ball.
6.) Balls jumped off the table on the break: If a player jumps any ball (except the 8 ball) off the table on the break it is considered a foul and the incoming player has the choice of: a.) accepting the table in position as is, or: b.) taking the cue ball in hand behind the head string. If the 8 ball is jumped off the table it is an automatic loss of game. Any other ball is spotted.
7.) 8 Ball on the break: If the 8 ball is pocketed on the break it is an automatic win for the breaker. However, if the breaking player commits a foul, or scratches, it is loss of game.
8.) Open Table: (Defined) The table is “open” when the choice of groups (stripes or solids) has yet to be determined. When the table is open, it is legal to hit any solid or stripe first in the process of pocketing the called ball. However, on an open table it is a foul to contact the 8 ball first and no pocketed ball will be scored in favor of the shooter. The shooter loses his turn; the incoming player has ball in hand behind the headstring and the table is still “open”.
9.) Choice of Group: The choice of stripes or solids is not determined on the break, even if balls are made from only one or both groups. The choice of group is determined only when a player legally pockets a called object ball after the break.
10.) Legal Shot: (Defined) On all shots (except the break, and when the table is open, the shooter must hit one of his group of balls first and: a.) pocket a numbered ball, or: b.) cause the cue ball or any numbered ball to contact a rail. It is permissible for the shooter to bank the cue ball off a rail before contacting the object ball. Failure to meet these requirements is a foul.
11.) Safety Shots: For tactical reasons a player may choose to execute a legal shot and also give up his turn at the table. If the shooter intends to pocket one of his balls in the execution of a safety he must make his opponent aware of his intention. If this is not done, and one of the shooter’s object balls is pocketed, the shooter will be required to shoot again.
12.) Scoring: A player is entitled to continue shooting until failing to legally pocket a ball of his group. After legally pocketing his entire group of balls, he shoots to pocket the 8 ball.
13.) Foul Penalty: Opposing player gets cue ball in hand behind the headstring.
14.) Shooting Ball in Hand from the Headstring: When the cue ball is in hand behind the head string, and the object ball is also behind the head string, the shot is a foul unless: The cue ball crosses the head string before that contact. The cue ball must cross the head string or the shot is a foul, and the cue ball is in hand behind the line for the following player. The shooter may elect to kick at the object ball or he may request that the object ball be spotted for the shot, (See 15. Spotting Ball).
15.) Spotting A Ball: If all of the incoming player’s object balls are behind the line he can request that one of his object balls be spotted (placed on the footspot).
16.) Combination Shots: Combination shots are allowed; however the 8 ball can’t be used as the first ball in the combination unless it is the shooter’s last remaining ball. Otherwise, should such contact occur on the 8 ball, it is a foul.
17.) Balls jumped off the table: If the cue ball or any object ball is jumped off the table it is a foul and loss of turn, unless it is the 8 ball which is loss of game. Jumped object balls are not re-spotted.
18.) Cue Ball Fouls Only: It is not a foul to accidentally touch stationary balls located between the cue ball and the shooter while in the act of shooting. If such an accident occurs, the player should inform his opponent who may then request that the ball be placed back where it was originally, or opt to leave it as it is.
19.) Jump and Masse’ Shot Foul: While cue ball fouls only is the rule of play, players should be aware that it will be considered a cue ball foul if during an attempt to execute a jump, curve, or masse’ shot over or around an impeding ball that is not a legal object ball, the impeding ball moves (regardless of whether it was moved by a hand, cue stick, or bridge).
20.) Playing the 8 Ball: When the 8 ball is the legal object ball, a scratch or foul is not loss of game if the 8 ball is not pocketed or is not jumped off the table. The shooter gives up his turn at the table and the incoming player has ball in hand behind the headstring.
21.) Loss of Game:
A player loses the game if he, or she:
a.) Fouls when pocketing the 8 ball.
b.) Pockets the 8 ball on the same stroke as the last of his group.
c.) Jumps the 8 ball off the table (at any time).
d.) Pockets the 8 ball in a pocket other than the one designated.
e.) Pockets the 8 ball when it is not the legal object ball.
Note: All fouls must be called before another shot is taken, or else it will be deemed that no infraction occurred.
Conduct yourselves at all times like ladies and gentlemen. Please respect your opponent, the table, and the equipment.
Attachments
taojones
Registered
there are two basic ways of calling your shot one way is "call Pocket" that is where you name a ball and a pocket and its good no matter how it gets there the other is "call shot" where you must describe the entire shot . no official rule book uses call shot bars seem to like it because it encourages fights. the good news is nobody who is using a rule as dumb as call shot will be hard to beat and you can use it against them like this "you hit the rail before the ball on the rail you did not call that" calling a push or legal jump will also make you very popular in bars ( if the cue and object ball travel at the same speed in the same direction it was undoubtably a push )
buddy of mine had an old ae schmidt 10' table in his basement. the only time it ever really saw any play was during/after fantasy football and baseball drafts with a bunch of drunks. anyway, there was a round support column about 4' away from the table up near a corner pocket. he had a "sissy" or short stick you could use, but if you broke it out, you had to finish the rest of the game with it. :smile:
Secaucus Fats
Banned
The WPA rules, the BCAPL rules, the VNEA league rules, and TAP league rules, all use Call Shot in their official rules.
1.6 Standard Call Shot
In games in which the shooter is required to call shots, the intended ball and pocket must be indicated for each shot if they are not obvious. Details of the shot, such as cushions struck or other balls contacted or pocketed are irrelevant. http://www.wpa-pool.com/web/the_rules_of_play
BTW--Any additionally pocketed ball(s) on a legal stroke is counted in the shooter's favor.
I've had a couple players, over the years, attempt to get me to play "bar rules".
Funny, I've played hundreds of players, and only a few tried to change the rules by which I, and just about everyone I know, play.
What's even more interesting is these players call my shot a foul after the shot and then tell me "we are playing 'bar rules'" which, of course, means I'm supposed to call every carom, rail, etc. And I've even had one idiot tell me I had to forfeit a shot because the ball rattled in the pocket and I didn't call a "rattle".
All of these times I've let the idiot have his say, then pick up the cue ball, place it in the corner pocket, and walk away.
I've even had a real a$$hole want to fight me because I refused to play him by his rules. I just refused to play at all and he threatened me.
"House rules" are designed to give an advantage to the "house" clientele.
Funny, I've played hundreds of players, and only a few tried to change the rules by which I, and just about everyone I know, play.
What's even more interesting is these players call my shot a foul after the shot and then tell me "we are playing 'bar rules'" which, of course, means I'm supposed to call every carom, rail, etc. And I've even had one idiot tell me I had to forfeit a shot because the ball rattled in the pocket and I didn't call a "rattle".
All of these times I've let the idiot have his say, then pick up the cue ball, place it in the corner pocket, and walk away.
I've even had a real a$$hole want to fight me because I refused to play him by his rules. I just refused to play at all and he threatened me.
"House rules" are designed to give an advantage to the "house" clientele.