what exactly is a 'safety'

[DaveK]

I still see no purpose in calling a safety,,,,if you miss; you still miss,,,why announce to the world that you can't make a ball ?,,,the idiots around here believe if they call a safety and accidently pocket the 8 ball, they didn't lose and the 8 is spotted and the game goes on........................?

If the game is 8 Ball, yes, they are idiots. If you play a defensive shot that includes potting one of your own balls (in 8 ball), you need to call 'safety' or your opponent may make you shoot again believing that you simply potted on of your balls. You are correct in saying it's usless to call 'safety' when you play a defensive shot that doesn't include potting your own ball. But it can be critical to let your opponent know if you play safe by potting a ball.

Dave, who thinks that sacrificing one of your balls for a safety is not good practice, you might need that ball later in the game ...

 

[MrLucky]

For Your Enlightenment!!!!!

the locals are always calling a 'safety' or in their own words, "a safe shot",,,I've only been playing pool again for a little over 2 years (after a 25 year layoff) and I had never heard the word 'safety' before in the '60's & '70's
when I originally began playing pool.

enlighten me please,,,'just the facts,jack'

From the WORLD POOL - BILLIARDS ASSOCIATION WEBSITE .....

6.7 RULES OF PLAY

1. A legally pocketed ball entitles a shooter to continue at the table until he fails to legally pocket a called ball on a shot. A player may shoot any ball, but before the shot, must designate the called ball and called pocket. Details such as kisses, caroms, combinations, or cushions (all of which are legal) need not be indicated. Any additionally pocketed ball(s) on a legal stroke is scored as one point for the shooter.

2. On all shots, a player must cause the cue ball to contact an object ball and then (1) pocket a numbered ball, or (2) cause the cue ball or any numbered ball to contact a cushion. Failure to meet these requirements is a foul. When an object ball is not frozen to a cushion, but is within a ball's width of a cushion (referee to determine by measurement if necessary), a player is permitted only two consecutive legal safeties on that ball using only the near rail. If such safety play is employed, that object ball is then considered frozen to the rail on the player's next inning. The General Rules of Pocket Billiards "Frozen Balls" requirements apply if the player chooses to make the first cue ball contact with that object ball on the third shot. (Note: If a player has committed a foul on the shot immediately before or the shot immediately after playing this ball, then he must immediately meet the requirements of the "Frozen Ball" rule when playing this object ball. Also, if he has committed two consecutive fouls, he must immediately meet the requirements of the Frozen Ball rule when playing this object ball. If such player fails to meet the requirements of the Frozen Ball rule, he is considered to have committed a third successive foul and the appropriate point penalty is assessed as well as one point for each of the previous fouls. All 15 balls are then reracked and the player committing the infraction is required to break, as at the beginning of the game.)

3. When the 14th ball of a rack is pocketed, play stops momentarily with the 15th ball remaining in position on the table; the 14 pocketed balls are then racked (with the space at the foot spot vacant in the triangle). Player then continues, normally pocketing the 15th (or "break" ball) in such manner as to have the cue ball carom into the rack and spread the balls to facilitate the continuance of his run. However, player is not compelled to shoot the 15th ball; he may shoot any ball he desires. See Diagram below if the 15th ball is pocketed on the same stroke as the 14th ball.

15th ball lies / Cue ball lies In the Rack Not in the Rack and not on the Head Spot* On The Head Spot*
In the Rack 15th ball: foot spot
Cue Ball: in kitchen 15th ball: head spot
Cue Ball: in position 15th ball: center spot
Cue Ball: in position
Pocketed 15th ball: foot spot
Cue Ball: in kitchen 15th ball: foot spot
Cue Ball: in position 15th ball: foot spot
Cue Ball: in position
Behind Head String, but not on the Head Spot 15th ball: in position
Cue Ball: head spot
Not behind Head String, and not in the Rack 15th ball: in position
Cue Ball: in kitchen
On the Head Spot 15th ball: in position
Cue Ball: center spot


*On the spot means to interfere with spotting a ball on the spot.
4. A player may call a safety rather than an object ball (for defensive purposes). Safety play is legal, but must comply with all applicable rules. The player's inning ends when a safety is played, and pocketed balls are not scored. Any object ball pocketed on a called safety is spotted.

5. A player may not catch, touch, or in any way interfere with a ball as it travels toward a pocket or the rack area on a shot (to include catching a ball as it enters a pocket by having a hand in the pocket). Doing so is a special "deliberate foul" and is penalized one point for the foul and an additional 15 point penalty, for a total of 16 points. The incoming player then has choice of (1) accepting the table in position with the cue ball in hand behind the head string, or (2) having all 15 balls reracked and requiring the offending player to shoot under the requirements of the opening break.

6. If the 15th (unpocketed) ball of a rack and/or the cue ball interferes with the triangle being lowered straight down into position for racking, refer to the diagram, which indicates the proper manner of relocating balls. (The gray boxes are those situations in which there is no interference, both balls remain in position.)

7. When a player has the cue ball in hand behind the head string (as after a scratch) and all object balls are behind the head string, the object ball nearest the head string may be spotted upon request. If two or more balls are an equal distance from the head string, the player may designate which of the equidistant balls is to be spotted.

 

[MrLucky]

link to site....http://www.wpa-pool.com/index.asp?content=rules_141
As I said in my post this began with Straight Pool and has been carried over by some to 8 and other games (I do it myself to let my opponent know what I am doing when attempting a safe shot so they will be aware to watch it for a foul) ! but it by no means saves a player from losing a eight ball game by scratching the 8 after it is called ! he still loses!!!

 

[randyg]

Safety=Ball In Hand

 

[Qnut]

I guess what I'm searching for is in what rule book and where in that book is a safety/safe shot described and allowed,,,(not talking about "Dew Drop Inn" house rules)

That would depend on whose rules you are going by. Is this general bar play? Tourney play of some sort? Some type of sanctioned league?

In most of the bars I have played in, playing safetys (ie intentionally missing a shot and leaving your opponant hard) tends to be frowned on (and doing so to the wrong person may get you more trouble than you want).

I would think most tourneys would allow them, although I have played in some where they weren't allowed. In those formats you were expected to make a legitimate attempt to pocket a ball, even if the shot were something ridiculous. I don't like this format since playing a shot like that usually winds up aiding your opponant. It goes against the object of the game--winning.

I play TAP 8 ball, and safetys are allowed. You can call them if you wish, although most of the time it will be obvious. It does aid the scorekeeper by preventing the question before it's asked. In TAP you can also call a safety before a shot and go on to make one of your own balls. Since you called a safety, the shot goes over to your opponant even though you made your shot. In certain situations, this may be beneficial.

I also play APA 8 ball, which allows safetys. Again, you can announce them if you wish, but it's not required. Unlike TAP though, you can't make a shot and call a safety. Since the APA plays "slop," it doesn't matter where you pocket a ball, you keep shooting.

In my experience, there is no certain set of rules which everyone abides by.

~Chris

 

[coolpoolfool]

I'm glad this thread was started, because I've never seen anyone play safeties except in pro matches.