8-ball Pool Game question!!!!!?

Question

In an 8-ball pool game, if a player hits the cue ball but the cue ball does not touch any other ball on the table [solid or stripes] is that considered a strike?

Answer 1

That is a ball in hand foul

Answer 2

Common rules say "yes", but actual billiard rules say that a scratch is when the cue ball goes in a pocket or leaves the playing surface (lands on the floor).

Answer 3

Scott and Johnny are both right. It's not technically a scratch, but it is a foul and the opponent would get ball in hand. It's kind of hidden in rule 6.3:

6.3 No Rail after Contact

If no ball is pocketed on a shot, the cue ball must contact an object ball, and after that contact at least one ball (cue ball or any object ball) must be driven to a rail, or the shot is a foul. (See 8.4 Driven to a Rail.)