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A table scratch happens when you hit the cue ball or object balls in a way that isn’t legal, but don’t actually pocket the cue ball. This is sometimes called a “foul”. These are the rules for a legal shot: The cue can strike the cue ball only once.
What is a table scratch in 8-ball?
A table scratch in 8 ball is when you hit the cue ball and it does not hit any other ball on the table. If this happens, it will count as a scratch, and the opponent will get to take the cue ball as though it was a regular scratch.
What are the rules for a scratch in pool?
The Billiard Congress of America defines a scratch — a shot on which the cue ball is pocketed — as a foul. Even if you successfully pocket an object ball, you scratch if the cue ball drops into any pocket and you lose your turn.
Do you have to take a table scratch?
You lose the game if you: a. foul or scratch when pocketing the 8-ball (except on the break). NOTE – in some leagues and tournaments, a scratch or foul in a failed attempt to pocket the 8-ball also results in a loss.
Is hitting the 8-ball a scratch?
When shooting at the 8-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. 20.
Where do you put the ball after scratching?
Tournament rules are “ball in hand”, which means that if you scratch the ball your opponent can place the cue ball anywhere on the table, without any restrictions. By contrast, bar rules require you to put the cue ball in the “kitchen”, which is the area behind the head spot where you break.
What happens if you sink the white ball on the black?
In most games if the balls are touching the white has to be played away from the ball it is touching. If you shot the white onto the black ball it would be considered a push shot as the tip of the cue would be in contact with the white as it hits the black. This is a foul and a foul on the black is lose of game.
What happens when you table scratch in pool?
In the result of a table scratch, the opponent will usually get a ball in hand, which will give them a significant advantage on their next shot. However, some rule sets do say the first ball in hand must be placed behind the headstring while any others can be placed anywhere on the table.
What happens if you knock a ball off the pool table?
OBJECT BALLS JUMPED OFF THE TABLE. If any object ball is jumped off the table, it is a foul and loss of turn, unless it is the 8-ball, which is a loss of game. Any jumped object balls are spotted.
Is not hitting a ball in pool A scratch?
Failure to meet these requirements is a foul. It is a foul (scratch) if on a stroke, the cue ball is pocketed. If the cue ball touches an object ball that was already pocketed (for example, in a pocket full of object balls), the shot is a foul.
What happens if you sink the cue ball on the break?
According to the APA, if the 8 ball is pocketed on the break, that player wins. However, if they also scratch, then it is an immediate loss. This is very straightforward and is a simple rule to follow. However, the league can also issue penalties for not breaking correctly, resulting in an illegal break.
What happens if you scratch on 9 Ball?
The 9-ball is pocketed. This is a win unless the player scratches, in which case the 9-ball (any other available high numbered ball is adequate) is spotted and the turn passes to the opponent with ball-in-hand anywhere on the table. d.
Do you have to call every shot in pool?
Calling the Shots If the shot is obvious, you don’t have to call it, but your opponent is entitled to ask if he or she is not sure. If you pot a ball that you did not call (called “slopping”), official rules say to leave the ball in the pocket. However, many people prefer to return the slopped ball to the footspot.
What happens if you make the 8-ball and scratch?
If you pocket the 8 ball and scratch, you lose the game. Regardless of whether or not you hit the 8 ball with the cue ball, if you scratch, the opponent has ball-in-hand. Originally Answered: What happens if you scratch on the 8 ball? In APA you lost the game/rack, not the match.
Do you lose if you hit the 8-ball first?
APA rules say no, the 8 ball is “not neutral” at any time, and cannot be struck first. However, it is allowed to be used in a combination shot as long as you strike your category (stripe or solid) ball first, in other words, stripe, 8 ball, stripe to go into the pocket.
What is slop in pool?
Billiards Forum notes that “a slop shot is a billiard shot that was not called, and that results in a ball being pocketed via luck or via fluke. Slop shots are legal when playing a slop version of various billiard games, but are illegal when playing any game in its no-slop version.
Can you intentionally scratch in pool?
A foul is called only if the player fouls while actually stroking the cue ball, meaning a double hit of the cue ball (sometimes called double clutching). Without this rule, a player could benefit by accidentally or purposely scratching or fouling.
What happens when white ball goes in pocket?
In pool, the white ball used to drive the other balls into the pockets is called the cue ball. When the cue ball goes into the pocket during your shot, this is considered a foul no matter what rules you’re playing by. Bar Rules: Your opponent can place the cue ball anywhere they would like behind the head string.
Can you shoot backwards in pool?
When playing pool, there is no forward or backward. Forward is essentially whatever direction your cue is pointing when making the shot. This means that during normal play, there is no such thing as a backward shot. Often house rules require that when the cue ball is in hand, it must be shot from behind the string.
What happens if you hit the 8 ball and the white ball in?
This is a “ball in hand” foul which is simply the loss of turn, and the incoming player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table.
