A question about Pool (Billirds).

[deacsoft]

The following recently happened in a game of pool at a bar. Two of my friends were playing a game of 8-ball. I was not there.

Friend 1 was down to his 8-ball only. He had no shot and just hit the Q-ball "where ever". Friend 2 says the game is over and tells friend 1 since he didn't hit the 8-ball he loses.

The Q-ball was still on the table. The 8-ball was also still on the table (as well as some of friend 2's balls). What's the call here?

1) Game over. Friend 2 wins.
2) Friend 1 committed a "table scratch" and friend 2 gets "ball in hand".
3) Game continues as normal. Friend 2's shot.
4) Other. (Please explain)

[Klompy]

Unless the game is for money I think #3 is standard, but I think the actual rule is #2.

[Yads]

1

[Jasper109]

[ QUOTE ]
1

[/ QUOTE ]

But the best way to do it in a casual game is to have player 1 bring one of his balls back up and then player 2 continues playing.

[El Diablo]

deac,

In most bar games it's either #3 or #2 behind the head string.

The official rule: "4.19 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 jumped from the table. Incoming player has cue ball in hand. Note: A combination shot can never be used to legally pocket the 8-ball, except when the 8-ball is the first ball contacted in the shot sequence."

http://www.bca-pool.com/play/tournam.../rls_8bl.shtml

So the official rule is #2 w/ cue ball anywhere on the table.

[Jasper109]

[ QUOTE ]
deac,

In most bar games it's either #3 or #2 behind the head string.

The official rule: "4.19 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 jumped from the table. Incoming player has cue ball in hand. Note: A combination shot can never be used to legally pocket the 8-ball, except when the 8-ball is the first ball contacted in the shot sequence."

http://www.bca-pool.com/play/tournam.../rls_8bl.shtml

So the official rule is #2 w/ cue ball anywhere on the table.

[/ QUOTE ]

From Wikipedia.

[ QUOTE ]
Once all the player's object balls are pocketed, he/she may attempt to sink the 8 ball. To win, the player must first call which pocket they plan to sink the 8 ball into. If the 8 ball is shot into the wrong pocket or a foul (see below) occurs, the player loses. Otherwise, the player's turn is over.

[/ QUOTE ]

[El Diablo]

All,

I find it a little hard to believe those of you saying "1" have ever played pool before in a bar or pool hall.

[Jasper109]

[ QUOTE ]
All,

I find it a little hard to believe those of you saying "1" have ever played pool before in a bar or pool hall.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think 1 is the "official" rule, even though it's probably never played that way in casual competition.

[deacsoft]

I'm barely a recreational pool player so I, honestly, had no idea before looking it up but was pretty sure it was one of the three options I listed in the OP. Thanks for weighing in on this, everyone.

[suzzer99]

It's #3 in most bars, but usually some local will know if the rule is different.

Most bars never do ball-in-hand for 8-ball.

Everyone understands there really is no such thing as rules to bar pool outside the local custom at that bar right? Lol at the idea of bringing up Wikipedia in your next bar pool dispute.