Could you sink the eight ball on the break ?

Question

Could you sink the eight ball on the break ?

Answer 1

Yes

Answer 2

I definitely couldn't.  Although I've fricking SCRATCHED on the break about 50 million times!

Answer 3

I've done it, several times.  And in some games this is a loss.  Also, I know how to rack to keep it from happening.

Answer 4

Theoretically....yes.  Probability of doing so....slim to none, laughable even.  Unless some kind soul of exceptional skill were to teach me how to do it.

Can you do it?

Answer 5

Break

One person is chosen to shoot first ("break" the balls apart; note that this is a different definition of the word "break" than in other billiards games, notably snooker) by any number of methods: flip of a coin, loser of last game breaks, winner of last game breaks, "lag", etc. If the shooter who breaks fails to make a legal break (usually defined as at least four balls hitting cushions) then the opponent can either re-rack and break, or play from the current position.

If the breaker pockets a ball, it is still the same player's turn. This area of the game has two possible variations.

    * The breaker is deemed to have legally pocketed the ball, and continues to shoot for balls in the same group. In this interpretation, if balls in both groups are pocketed, a common rule is for the player to nominate which group they will shoot for, but for their turn to end.

    * The table is still "open" until someone legally pockets a ball

A common "house rule" is that if the 8 ball is potted on the break, either the breaking player or the opposing player wins immediately:-)

Answer 6

Mickey Mantle is correct in his description of how to attempt to pocket the 8-ball on the break.  This technique works occasionally, but with little regularity.  In addition, it usually only works on a small, coin-op tables with a heavy cue ball.  Of course, on bar tables, an 8-ball on the break is usually considered a win only because the ball cannot be re-spotted.  For professional play, under IPT rules, an 8-ball on the break is also a win.  Under BCA rules, the 8-ball on the break is not a win, nor a loss, nor a foul.  The breaker may either have a rerack, or spot the 8-ball and continue play from where the balls lie.  The big problem with trying to pocket the 8-ball intentionally, is that if you are unsuccessful, usually your results from the break are very poor.  If you pocket a ball at all, you often have very poor cue ball position.  It's a much better idea to hit the head ball full-on.  You will get more action on the rack and you'll be able to play position with the cue ball.  M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.

Answer 7

i have, and it has been done to me in the finals of a tournament. i racked 'em up, turned around to grab my cue and the crowd is going wild.....i about came unglued.

the rules of the house were sink the 8 on the break=automatic win, never heard of it being an automatic loss before.

Answer 8

I have twice....one time was on a finals game of my pool league...gotta love that

Answer 9

Very hard to do, but yes it is possible. And by most rules it is an automatic win.

Answer 10

yeah of course

Answer 11

yahoo rules says that is a win or a loss, rule determined by players.

Answer 12

No...But I do a good job scratching at the end of the game.....

Answer 13

On occasion,if you do you win!!

Answer 14

Yes, but That would mean an automatic loss.

Answer 15

Yes and you win unless you foul...then you lose....one of my buddy's wife beat me on the break.....she had a "pattycake" break and very few balls moved but the 8 did and went in the side pocket....that one loss cost me several "$$$" at the end of the season.........next time break from the side and hit the second ball and not the first one.....watch it and every once in a while it may go in the opposite side pocket....when you break use a little draw to avoid scratching......hitting the second ball in the rack is a legal shot!!

Answer 16

Did it twice.

Answer 17

I never have, but I've seen it done.  It is possible