... If I scratch and all object balls end up in the kitchen, what happens? Does my opponent have to kick at them? Does the closest one to the spot, spot up?
Thanks! That's exactly the rule I was looking for!When the shooter has the cue ball in hand behind the head string and all the legal object balls are behind the head string, he may request the legal object ball nearest the head string to be spotted. If two or more balls are equal distance from the head string, the shooter may designate which of the equidistant balls is to be spotted. An object ball that rests exactly on the head string is playable.
You may want to look through the rest of the rules -- there are some surprises in there.Thanks! That's exactly the rule I was looking for!
You may want to look through the rest of the rules -- there are some surprises in there.
I looked at the rule pertaining to the question posed and I am surprised
as I believed if two balls were equal then largest #spotted not players choice? If a ball is spotted does it have to played or can the player kick at a ball in the kitchen?
If a ball is spotted does it have to played or can the player kick at a ball in the kitchen?
as far as I understand this ruling, if a player decides to spot a ball from behind the string he is obliged to play it. Because there is no reason to spot a ball other than taking a shot on it. Don't want to shoot a spotted ball - don't spot it, play the kick right away, that's what the rule says IMO.The rule does not say you have to shoot at the spotted ball, so you don't. You just have to exit the kitchen, at least temporarily.
There is no requirement to shoot at any ball after a ball is spotted. Suppose two balls are by a head pocket and one ball is in the middle of the head rail. The two balls by the pocket are unplayable because of the way they are positioned. One of them is spotted. The other of the previously locked up pair is now an easy kick, and the player gets easy shape on a head-spot break.as far as I understand this ruling, if a player decides to spot a ball from behind the string he is obliged to play it. Because there is no reason to spot a ball other than taking a shot on it. Don't want to shoot a spotted ball - don't spot it, play the kick right away, that's what the rule says IMO.
What would you say Bob?
A ball exactly on the headstring is playable. You can hit any part of it.When you have cue ball in hand in the kitchen can you shoot at any part of an object ball that lies directly on the head string (the bottom of the ball is on the line)? For instance, can you just line up and legally make a shot directly into one of the side pockets?
I was told once that you can only legally hit the part of the object ball that lies outside the head string, so I'm not clear on this.
You have ball in hand so it doesn't matter. If you are playing 8 ball and you somehow can smash the break to where the balls are either pocketed and whats not pocketed ends up in the kitchen, YOU DO have to kick. I've never seen it happen but maybe it has.
In one pocket obviously a ball would spot up.
I hope that answers it.
The rule does not say you have to shoot at the spotted ball, so you don't. You just have to exit the kitchen, at least temporarily.