Apa pool break question

Question

I was playing someone in pool apa rules. I scratched on break, then he shot behind the headstring and scratched and then I shot behind the head string and also scratched. On his second shot he claimed you have 3 tries to declare a ball from behind the headstring so he said he could put the cue anywhere on the table like a regular scratch. Is this true, I think this is a rare situation.

Answer 1

APA rules for 8-ball is behind the head string on the break, any other scratch is ball in hand, therefore you had ball in hand after your opponent scratched.

APA rules for 9-ball is ball in hand for any scratch including the break

Answer 2

In YOUR case (whether playing 8-ball or 9-ball) YOU should have consulted a 'coach' for instruction, BEFORE you agreed or accepted your opponent's call and went ahead with your shot while you were uncertain about his call.

APA 8-Ball:

"ONLY THE PLAYER OR THE COACH MAY OFFICIALLY CALL A FOUL, although anyone may suggest to the player or the coach that a foul should be called." ( http://www.ottawa-legions.ca/Sports/8-Ba... (see rule 10 in the APA FOULS category)

APA 9-Ball:

"ONLY THE PLAYER OR THE COACH MAY OFFICIALLY CALL A FOUL, although anyone may suggest to the player or the coach that a foul should be called."

http://www.poolplayersguide.com/rules-ap... (see rule 9 in the APA FOULS category)

I'm confident that "LL" (being an APA lifetime member) will give you a sound answer as well.

LAG

Answer 3

If you are playing APA rules 8-ball then all scratches are carried out in the kitchen.( within the first two diamonds)  in APA 9-ball rules then all scratches are carried out as ball in hand.  RF

Answer 4

Thank you for the into Lorianne! :)

Read pages 45 - 47 in the APA Official Team Manual for the official answer. In short.....

If you break and scratch, your opponent shoots from behind the head string. If they shoot and scratch on their shot it is ball in hand for you ANYWHERE ON THE TABLE.

Just so you know....

If you break and four balls from the rack don't go to a rail or you fail to pocket a ball, it is simply a re-rack and you break again. And it's YOUR break ALL NIGHT LONG until you get four balls to hit a rail or you pocket something.

If you break and four balls don't hit a rail and you don't pocket a ball AND you scratch, then it becomes your opponents break.