Sport: Pool. When a player cannot see both sides of the object ball they are about to strike after a foul has been committed, they are allowed to hit any other ball on the table and count it as one of their shots.
When can you use a free ball in pool?
A free ball is a player-nominated substitute for the ball "on" when a player becomes snookered as the result of a foul committed by the opponent.
Can you have 2 shots if you're on the black?
As I play, this is a foul but as the next player is on black they do not get 2 shots, however this tactic was employed to have the black ball moved by the player not committing the foul to move the black from a tricky position. In the rules that I play, a foul on the black means game over.
What makes an illegal break in pool?
If the breaker does not pocket a ball and fails to drive at least 4 balls to one or more rails, it is an illegal break. In the case of an illegal break, the opponent can either accept the table as is and play from there; choose to re-rack and break; or re-rack and have the breaker go again.
What are the two types of balls in pool?
With the traditional cue ball in white, there are two types of object balls. The two sets include seven striped number balls and seven solid coloured number balls. There is also a ball having number eight in white and the rest in black. This ball is called as a black eight-ball.
44 related questions foundWhat is the white ball in pool called?
The white ball in the pool game is known as “cue ball.” It is the only white ball on the pool table and the only ball that can be stroke with a cue stick.
What is the black ball in pool called?
Black ball is played with 15 colored object balls and the cue ball. The object balls are two groups of seven and the black ball. The player or team pocketing their group of object balls and legally pocketing the black ball wins the game. Shots are not called.
What happens when you scratch in pool?
5. A scratch, foul, or illegal shot results in ball-in-hand, where your opponent can place the cue ball anywhere on the table in preparation for the next shot. The only exception to this is the break (see the 8-ball and 9-ball differences that follow).
Do you have to hit the eight ball in pool?
Combination shots are legal shots, but you can never use the 8-ball as the first contacted ball. In other words, you can use the 8-ball in combination with another object ball to pocket an object ball, as long as you don't strike the 8-ball first.
Do you have to hit the front ball when you break in pool?
Breaking - To be a legal break, players must break from behind the head string, the head ball must be struck first and at least four object balls must be driven to the rails or a ball must be pocketed. The cue ball may not be shot into a rail before the rack.
Can you shoot up table in pool?
Of course, yes! On a pool table during the play, there's no concept of backward or forward shots unless the player fouls. After a scratch shot, the next player can place the Cue Ball anywhere while executing the ball in hand if the rule applies, and the player is free to shoot in any direction.
Can you play a push shot in pool?
"A push shot involves a situation where the cue ball is frozen to the object ball. The problem faced by the shooter is to keep from pushing or keeping the tip of the cue on the cue ball. It looks bad and generally thought of as illegal. Push shots are controversial.
Can you hit a ball behind the line in pool?
Is it Legal to Shoot Backwards in Pool? As long as the cue ball isn't in the string, you can shoot the ball in any direction you'd like. Just keep in mind all the requirements of a fair shot and direction won't matter.
Can you hit the black on a free ball?
Following a foul the table is declared 'open' and the oncoming player takes a 'free' shot. In doing so it is permissible to play onto any object ball. Any ball may be potted, including the black if it is 'on'.
What's a push shot in pool?
Definition of push shot
1 : a billiards or pool shot in which the cue remains in contact with the cue ball until the cue ball has touched the object ball or one in which the cue strikes the cue ball twice.
Do you have to touch a cushion in pool?
If on any visit a player fails to pot a legal ball, either the cueball or an object ball has to touch a cushion. The only exception to the above rule is when a player is totally snookered on all of their balls, a total snooker being defined as the player not being able to see any part of their chosen ball set.
What happens if you sink 8-ball on break?
Likewise, if you sink the 8 ball on the break, you don't win. You either spot the 8 ball or re-rack. Traditionally, 8 ball is a "call shot" game. That means you have to choose the pocket where you're shooting before taking your shot.
What happens if you miss the black ball in pool?
If the foul was because a player miss the black ball, the player scratched and the opponent gets ball in hand. If the cue ball gets pocketed, or the player enters the black ball to a hole other than the one the player called, that's an immediate loss.
What happens if you scratch on an 8-ball?
So what happens if you scratch on the 8 ball? In the official rules, if you scratch when you are shooting for the 8 ball, your turn is over and your opponent gets the ball in hand. If however, you make the 8 ball in a pocket and then scratch you lose the game.
What is the kitchen in pool?
The "bottom quarter" of the pool table, the area marked by the imaginary line between the two diamonds closest to the player along the long rails to the head of the table or the head rail on the break, is called the kitchen.
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.
Can you hit an opponent's ball first in pool?
Do I have to hit my ball first in Pool? You don't have the right to hit the other player's balls first. The first ball that you hit must be one of your own color, or the black if you have no balls left on the table. If you fail in doing this, it's a fault (SCRATCH).
What is Chinese pool?
With standard American-style pool tables rare, Chinese players made do with playing eight-ball on small snooker tables. It has since become the most popular cue sport in China, and the major tournaments have some of the largest prize money in pool.
Why is pool called pool?
The Game of Pool. The word "pool" means a collective bet, or ante. Many non-billiard games, such as poker, involve a pool but it was pocket billiards that the name became attached to.
Why is it called the kitchen in pool?
A common variation, used in games such as straight pool and often in bar pool, is ball-in-hand "behind the head string", also "behind the line" or "from the kitchen", meaning the ball-in-hand option is restricted to placement anywhere behind the head string, i.e., in the area of the table known as the kitchen.