I have a pool 8-ball question (one changed rule)?

Question

Hi. My dad and I were playing a game of 8 ball, and decided to play with this change:

You must hit the 1 and 15 in the side pockets, but both can not be shot into the same pocket.

It ended up being the 8 ball, the 1, and the 15 on the table at the end.

He got his 15 in front of a side hole, and because I wanted to play defensively, I moved his 15 away from the hole instead of shooting directly at my ball.

Because the Billiard Congress of America doesn't have rules for this type of game play, I was wondering if we would go by "house rule" standards, or "8 ball rule" standards.

If we were to go for 8 ball rule standards, (which would be if all of your balls were gone off the table except the 8 ball) I believe it would be a ball-in-hand.

But being that I had a ball (the 1) left on the table still, does that rule even apply?

I feel that this is a legal move because you see people accidentally hit other opponent's balls in and both accidentally move other's balls throughout games.

Answer 1

if you are making up your own rules as you go, you are not playing (BCA rules).  What ever you are playing, do what you want because it does not make sense either way.  Good luck in making your own game.

Answer 2

1 &15 is a popular game in Tx. played by bca rules-standard

Your shot would be a ball in hand foul but he would still have to put it in the side pocket

The penalty for not doing so is what ever pocket he does put the 15 in the eight must also be put in the same pocket

Answer 3

I would personally call it a ball in hand foul. Sometimes when playing 8 ball with regular rules, it is a good play to intentionally hit your opponent's ball first to move it or even pocket it, and this is no different. You are moving your opponent's ball and giving up ball in hand because you feel it will improve your chances of winning.

I do not agree with the last guy that said you could allow your opponent to replace they ball you hit where it was. Intentional fouls are a part of the game, disallowing them would take away a legitimate play.

Answer 4

Seems that you are playing a variation of a game we call here as "Alabama". The '1' and '15' balls have to go in the side pockets, but not the same side pocket.

Here's the rule on the situation you described... about intentionally knocking your opponent's ball away from the side pocket on a bad hit...

The opponent has the option of playing the ball as it lays or gets to replace the ball in the exact place (or as close as possible) where it was, and gets ball-in-hand because of the foul. Otherwise the two of you could deliberately make bad hits all day long.

Now, if you guys are making up rules as you go along, then anything goes. Impromptu games and rule changes can be fun.

Answer 5

Your variation is part of one pocket. But, if you contact your opponent's ball first, it is a foul with ball in hand to your opponent. Unless the two of you want to settle on other rules variations.

BCA rules are not hard and fast. Look at all the people who play 8-ball where sinking the 8 ball on the break is a win. Rules are there to make sure both players know what is expected of them.

Answer 6

you and your dad must have been playing for money or something in 8 ball (1-15) your defensive play is legal no ball in hand dads shot is where the white ball stops