POOL

durrrr · #1 03-23-2007, 11:16 AM

kind of a two-part question.

1) anyone know the 'standard' rules for 8ball (when does 3 rails not count as a scratch etc).

2) what are the best (easiest?) 'house' rules w/o making it too serious (often lots of drinking involved obv).

El Diablo · #2 03-23-2007, 11:28 AM

durrr,

1)
http://www.bca-pool.com/play/tournam.../rls_gen.shtml
http://www.bca-pool.com/play/tournam.../rls_8bl.shtml

2) When playing for fun, the two easiest modifications are to ease off on scratch rules and calling of shots ("trash counts"). When just playing for fun, it's pretty common to reduce the rules to basically "you have to hit one of your balls first and if one of yours then goes in, you get to go again" and as far as scratches go, only pick up the ball and place it if the cue ball goes into a pocket or off the table. For other scratches, just play it from where it ends up. Tons of other variations for casual bar/home play, though.

durrrr · #3 03-23-2007, 11:33 AM

well we always play you have to call shots (unless everyone is very wasted and/or drunk girls are playing) but i never know what scratch rules to use etc. tyty.

ahnuld · #4 03-23-2007, 11:36 AM

In a bar when on the black, and you don't make contact with it, instant loss?

durrrr · #5 03-23-2007, 11:39 AM

[ QUOTE ]
In a bar when on the black, and you don't make contact with it, instant loss?

[/ QUOTE ]

yah this also... if you hit 3 rails its not a loss generally (at least w/ bar rules ive heard)

El Diablo · #6 03-23-2007, 11:46 AM

durrrr,

Standard bar rules as I've always played in CA/Texas:

"if you scratch (cue into a pocket) the cue needs to be placed anywhere behind the headstring (correct?)"

Yes.

"what if you have one ball left which is also behind the headstring?"

You have to make the cue ball pass the headstring first before hitting your ball.

"Another question is what happens when you hit the wrong ball first (some people say stnd. scratch some say ball in hand anywhere on table)."

Bar rule scratches are generally never ball in hand anywhere on table.

"edit: also safeties... is it true that after you hit a 'target' ball one of either your cue ball or the target ball must either go into the pocket or hit a rail (or another ball) to not be a scratch?"

See offical rules. In bars, if you hit your ball, it's generally not a scratch.

Another bar rules argument comes up when you scratch on the break. Many people play instant loss, but not everyone.

Also, when you have just the 8-ball left, most people play that it is only a loss if you put the 8-ball into the wrong pocket or put the cue ball into a pocket. However, some people play that other scratches (ie: you don't hit the 8-ball first) are also a loss.

Rules on the wall are never a bad idea.

durrrr · #7 03-23-2007, 11:39 AM

ok main question is this:

if you scratch (cue into a pocket) the cue needs to be placed anywhere behind the headstring (correct?)

what if you have one ball left which is also behind the headstring?

Another question is what happens when you hit the wrong ball first (some people say stnd. scratch some say ball in hand anywhere on table).

I kindve wanna make some stnd rules and like print them out + put em on the wall (we did this for beer pong in boston and it works amazing).

edit: also safeties... is it true that after you hit a 'target' ball one of either your cue ball or the target ball must either go into the pocket or hit a rail (or another ball) to not be a scratch?

HDPM · #8 03-23-2007, 01:33 PM

[ QUOTE ]
ok main question is this:

if you scratch (cue into a pocket) the cue needs to be placed anywhere behind the headstring (correct?)

what if you have one ball left which is also behind the headstring?

Another question is what happens when you hit the wrong ball first (some people say stnd. scratch some say ball in hand anywhere on table).

I kindve wanna make some stnd rules and like print them out + put em on the wall (we did this for beer pong in boston and it works amazing).

edit: also safeties... is it true that after you hit a 'target' ball one of either your cue ball or the target ball must either go into the pocket or hit a rail (or another ball) to not be a scratch?

[/ QUOTE ]

In all American pocket games you must hit a rail or pocket a ball after contacting a ball. You can hit the rail with the ball, the cueball, or any other ball. Hitting another ball does not count. Something must hit a rail after legal contact. Period. My guess is that most bar players don't know that, but it is a rule in all the games. If you don't like it play snooker in London I guess, I dunno.

Standard 8 ball rules give you ball in hand anywhere on a foul. If you play behind the line and your only ball is behind the line, it should spot. I know many bar players don't do this. Forcing a player to kick table length at a ball is crazy when a player fouls. It becomes an advantage to foul. So bar players than often sneer at deliberate safeties or fouls. A small point is that the 3 foul rule does not apply in typical 8 ball games, but some play it I think. So I guess when playing by bad rules learn to "accidentally" miscue into a pocket or something.

When calling shots the only thing necessary to call is the ball and the pocket. the ball can get there by going 10 rails and caroming of 6 balls and the light. Doesn't matter. Ball and pocket. The only game requiring balls go clean is bank pool. I know many bar players like you to have to call minute details of shots.

Pool is a better game when played by actual rules as opposed to the rules often found in bars made up by players who don't know the rules. Avoid playing with them for money, because they will make rules up or start fights and such.

daryn · #9 03-23-2007, 01:39 PM

this came up last night. we went to a billiard place for a friend's birthday. i was reminded of how i hate playing pool with basically everyone, because nobody but me seems to know the rules.

things that i hate:

i'll have nothing but the 8 ball left and they of course will have 5 or so balls scattered around. the cue will be stuck behind a few balls making it very improbable that i get a legal shot off. it's my shot. of course they are quick to say IF U SCRATCH U LOSE DOOD!! of course they don't realize that you only lose if you scratch on the 8 shot and the 8 is potted.

another one is ball in hand rule, where they scratch and then they make you put it "behind the line". the worst is when you're on the 8 and the 8 is on the same side of the table, so they force you to make some kind of circus shot where you have to bank it off the far cushion and back. of course, go back to my first gripe, they say if you scratch YOU LOSE LOLOLOOL!!!

another one i came across last night. guy went up to take his shot.. just barely tapped the cue into a neighboring ball. the ball barely moves. then he says "your shot"... as if it's not a scratch. you must drive a ball or the cue to a cushion, or pocket a ball... otherwise you could just go back and forth trading little taps.

this really bugs me more than it shoud.. and most of the time i just "play dumb" and play by the "house rules" or whatever.

also last night some guy scratched on the break, and he was like, "that's the game, we lost" .. WTF? NO you do not lose if you scratch on the break.

FoxwoodsFiend · #10 03-23-2007, 04:37 PM

[ QUOTE ]
ok main question is this:

if you scratch (cue into a pocket) the cue needs to be placed anywhere behind the headstring (correct?)

[/ QUOTE ]

haven't read responses so sorry if this is redundant, but I play ball in hand precisely because it's too easy for angleshooting [censored] to purposefully scratch when they have no shot if your last ball(s) are behind the headstring