Which rules don't you like?

[RiverCity]

This is more of a which rules are you in favor of...... but Im sick of 9 ball being considered a slop game. Even though thats how some people play it..... If you went to 9 on the break spots, ALL shots must be called (ball and pocket) and go back to the pushout rule, the game would be a bit better IMO.
Chuck

 

[chefjeff]

I can't understand how it would be hard to tell if a bank was clean or not. If the pocketed ball is the only ball that moves, it was a clean shot. If there is a carom or combo involved, another ball will move, and there will be the sound of the aditional contact as well. If you can't tell the difference between a clean bank and a bank combo, you must not be in the same room that the game is happening in. And no, a ball touching the sides of the pocket on its way in isn't a bank, and therefore does not have be called. I also don't understand why you think the rule adds potential for trouble. IMO it does just the opposite.

OK, banking near a pocket isn't a bank.

So, you HAVE to call all kisses of the object ball. So, if two obs are next to each other near the pocket, you have to call if the ob hits one, both, and the order in which that occurs? What if it happens so fast you can't be sure exactly what happened?

Whoops, never mind, I just read Bob's answer.

THAT is why it is complicated to a banking newbie, btw.

I once was playing call 8-ball. I shot a two rail bank into the corner and my opponent called it a 3 railer cuz the ob touched the side of the pocket on its way in. After a few minutes of bs, my playing buddy ended the argument with threats of force if they didn't count it as good. That ended the money flow that night.

Thanks for the clarification, guys.

Jeff Livingston

 

[desert1pocket]

OK, banking near a pocket isn't a bank.

So, you HAVE to call all kisses of the object ball. So, if two obs are next to each other near the pocket, you have to call if the ob hits one, both, and the order in which that occurs? What if it happens so fast you can't be sure exactly what happened?

Whoops, never mind, I just read Bob's answer.

THAT is why it is complicated to a banking newbie, btw.

I once was playing call 8-ball. I shot a two rail bank into the corner and my opponent called it a 3 railer cuz the ob touched the side of the pocket on its way in. After a few minutes of bs, my playing buddy ended the argument with threats of force if they didn't count it as good. That ended the money flow that night.

Thanks for the clarification, guys.

Jeff Livingston

Like I said in my first post, and as Bob repeated, no caroms, kicks, or combos are allowed. I apologize if I didn't make that clear enough. As long as both players know the rules, there should hardly ever be any question as to whether a shot was good or not. The only argument I have seen is where there was a ball close to the pocket, and one of the players claimed that it moved a fraction of an inch as the OB went by. This is very rare though, because it is usually very obvious if the OB hit another ball or not.

 

[TheBook]

Don't like slop, winning by shitting in the 8 or 9 on the break, and not having a open table after the break in 8 Ball. All those rules are made for the ball bangers. They don't want to develop the skills needed to win so they rely on luck.

Making the money ball on the break especially hurts when the loser breaks. I guess they need it as a equallizer.

Others will say that the rules are the same for everone so I guess it all evens out as I have made more than my share of game winners off of the break and it is usually off of those that are poor players and don't know the secrets of racking. Still don't like the rule.

 

[tigerallenyim]

This also is the rule that torques my jaw. This rule very often penalizes a person for making a ball on the break. IMO, in 8-ball, the table should always be "open" after the break regardless of whether or not a ball is made.

Maniac

Agreed. I think i stand a better chance of running out if I had a choice on the break. But on the brighter side of things, it had made me more critical of my breaks, and what needs to be achieved on the break.

 

[tigerallenyim]

i never really played by the 3-foul rule in 9-ball. too many people try and use it to win games and thats just anoying. but as far as retarded rules, i think APA takes the cake with not allowing the use of different cues, ie: no seperate break cue, or jump cue. the cue you use to break is the cue you must use to finish out the game, and thats just silly.

Really? That's wierd. In the APA I play in, they allow ya to break with a breaking cue. What's up with that?

 

[OneIron]

I don't like the APA rule where you have to mark your pocket in 8 Ball. I generally have an understanding with my opponent where we may simply point at the pocket where we're shooting the 8 Ball. I've been playing 8 ball for more years than I care to admit and I can't remember a single case where the 8 Ball was pocketed in the wrong pocket and there was a controversy. I find that this silly rule only encourages weaker players to try to "steal" a game than win it by skill. I don't even care if the opponent forgets to point at the pocket (much less, mark it) on obvious shots.

 

[Maniac]

In 8-Ball matches, I hate the 8-Ball-on-the-break-wins rule. There is too much chance involved with making the 8 on the break. I think it is more fair to spot the 8 and continue.

Vinnie
------------------
RSB transplant

Does this mean we have to put 4 more quarters into the bar box to retrieve the 8-ball ??? Or do I just keep a couple of people on each side of the table to stop the 8 before it goes in ? I guess the bar could have a supply of extra 8-balls in case the 8 gets made on the snap. Then the original 8 could be returned to the rack on the next game .

On a truly good rack, the 8-ball shouldn't move very far. That was once very true, but now it seems like with the advent of the phenolic tips and break cues, some things have changed.

I'm with you Vinnie on spotting the eight. But quarter tables put a crimp into those plans.

Then again, I think all shots in every game in pool should be called pockets. No slop.

Maniac

 

[longhair]

I don't like the APA rule where you have to mark your pocket in 8 Ball. I generally have an understanding with my opponent where we may simply point at the pocket where we're shooting the 8 Ball. I've been playing 8 ball for more years than I care to admit and I can't remember a single case where the 8 Ball was pocketed in the wrong pocket and there was a controversy. I find that this silly rule only encourages weaker players to try to "steal" a game than win it by skill. I don't even care if the opponent forgets to point at the pocket (much less, mark it) on obvious shots.

I like that rule, but for a specific reason. The APA rules of 8 ball allow the game to be played without any words or other communication between players, which means they don't have to even share a language. Also, there can be no BS about whether you actually said that was the pocket you were shooting at. If the marker is there when the 8 goes in, the shot was good; if it isn't, it wasn't. I like the clarity of it, even though it is a hassle most of the time.

By the way, I think that not needing communication is the best reason for some other rules of APA 8 ball, like not calling pockets. APA rules aren't ideal for most situations, but they do avoid arguments pretty well, which can be important when playing with folks who are drinking (in a bar league).

 

[longhair]

Since so many cel phones have annoying rings or loud music coming out I think if your phone goes off during a match you forfeit that game. People are starting to call each other during play just to shark each other. Its way past annoying. Put your phones on vibrate people!

I agree completely. Loss of game is the least punishment a player should get for a ringing cell phone. If you are expecting a call that is so important that you can't turn your phone off, you shouldn't mind forfeiting your match. You probably have to leave for the hospital anyway.

 

[Vinnie]

Does this mean we have to put 4 more quarters into the bar box to retrieve the 8-ball ??? Or do I just keep a couple of people on each side of the table to stop the 8 before it goes in ? I guess the bar could have a supply of extra 8-balls in case the 8 gets made on the snap. Then the original 8 could be returned to the rack on the next game .

On a truly good rack, the 8-ball shouldn't move very far. That was once very true, but now it seems like with the advent of the phenolic tips and break cues, some things have changed.

I'm with you Vinnie on spotting the eight. But quarter tables put a crimp into those plans.

Then again, I think all shots in every game in pool should be called pockets. No slop.

Maniac

Sorry I was not specific, but I was really referring to league and tournament play when the tables are "opened up". I play in a league and in tournaments where we play by BCA rules EXCEPT the 8-ball on the break rule. I like your idea about calling every shot. If someone can call the 8-ball on their break, then I am more willing to accept it. That way, if they do call the 8 and a pocket, and then proceed to pocket the 8 in a different pocket on their break, They lose the game.

Vinnie