What do you do when.....

[somms69]

I am not a league player so I am not well versed in the finer points of regulated play and although when I matched up last night we came to terms on play this is something I have never experienced before. The set is barbox 8ball, ball in hand after break, no three foul rule in effect. My opponent is breaking on the hill and all but whiffs the cueball. He contacts the cueball with his tip but does not send the cueball into the rack. Things get fairly heated at this point as the money is substantial and we both have very different opinions on how to proceed. My question: Is it now my break, or is it now my shot on an unbroken rack with ball in hand behind the line call my pocket? No way is it still his shot since he has in effect fouled, right?????

Todd

 

[pocketspeed]

I am not a league player so I am not well versed in the finer points of regulated play and although when I matched up last night we came to terms on play this is something I have never experienced before. The set is barbox 8ball, ball in hand after break, no three foul rule in effect. My opponent is breaking on the hill and all but whiffs the cueball. He contacts the cueball with his tip but does not send the cueball into the rack. Things get fairly heated at this point as the money is substantial and we both have very different opinions on how to proceed. My question: Is it now my break, or is it now my shot on an unbroken rack with ball in hand behind the line call my pocket? No way is it still his shot since he has in effect fouled, right?????

Todd

bca 8 ball rules

3.3 Break Shot
The following rules apply to the break shot: (a) The cue ball begins in hand behind the head string.
(b) No ball is called, and the cue ball is not required to hit any particular object ball first.
(c) If the breaker pockets a ball and does not foul, he continues at the table, and the table remains open. (See 3.4 Open Table / Choosing Groups.)
(d) If no object ball is pocketed, at least four object balls must be driven to one or more rails, or the shot results in an illegal break, and the incoming player has the option of
(1) accepting the table in position, or
(2) re-racking and breaking, or
(3) re-racking and allowing the offending player to break again. Version 21/12/2007 ? The Rules of Play Page 1 of 3
Version 21.12.2007
(e) Pocketing the eight ball on a legal break shot is not a foul. If the eight ball is pocketed, the breaker has the option of
(1) re-spotting the eight ball and accepting the balls in position, or (2) re-breaking.
(f) If the breaker pockets the eight ball and scratches (see definition 8.6 Scratch), the opponent has the option of
(1) re-spotting the eight ball and shooting with cue ball in hand behind the head string; or (2) re-breaking.
(g) If any object ball is driven off the table on a break shot, it is a foul; such balls remain out of play (except the eight ball which is re-spotted); and the incoming player has the option of
(1) accepting the table in position, or (2) taking cue ball in hand behind the head string.
(h) If the breaker fouls in any manner not listed above, the following player has the option of
(1) accepting the balls in position, or (2) taking cue ball in hand behind the head string.

brian

 

[Bob Jewett]

... My question: Is it now my break, or is it now my shot on an unbroken rack with ball in hand behind the line call my pocket? No way is it still his shot since he has in effect fouled, right?????

Todd

Different people play different ways. Some people play that the break does not count as a shot until the rack is struck. Others play that any tip-to-ball contact is a shot, even on the break.

For a brief history of the BCA rules of eight ball, see http://www.sfbilliards.com/articles/2002-02.pdf

For the current World Standardized Rules see: http://www.wpa-pool.com/index.asp?content=rules_tournament

 

[ronhudson]

I am not a league player so I am not well versed in the finer points of regulated play and although when I matched up last night we came to terms on play this is something I have never experienced before.

Todd

You say you "came to terms on play". Did that involve any set of published rules? If yes, then those rules regarding the break would apply. If not, is there an established house rule regarding breaking? If not, then you have to now come to terms on that aspect of the game.

 

[somms69]

You say you "came to terms on play". Did that involve any set of published rules? If yes, then those rules regarding the break would apply. If not, is there an established house rule regarding breaking? If not, then you have to now come to terms on that aspect of the game.

We agreed to "off the cuff" rules rather informally and proceeded. When the break shot question arose, after spirited debate, we flipped for the 500 and agreed to a new set with the provision that should the same situation come up the breaker loses his shot and his opponent may now break. Thanks for the links to all who responded.

Todd<lost the flip but managed to win the next 2 out of 3 sets for 5 hours of break even pool>