If you scratch on the break in 8 Ball do you lose automatically?

Question

2 Friends of mine had a disagreement when playing 8 ball, the guy that broke, scratched, the other said that was an automatic loss. I have looked up and found rules that say this is not true, but most of the sites i have looked at seem to be about official regulated games and tournaments. Basically asking is there a standard bar room rules that are more simplified where this might be the case. They were playing on a coin operated table if this makes any difference.

Answer 1

You would not lose UNLESS you also sink the 8 ball on the break and scratch.  If the 8 ball remains on the table, but the cue ball goes in a pocket, the player loses a turn and it is the next players turn.  The cue ball is spotted behind the headline

Answer 2

If the 8 ball goes in on the break and you scratch you lose.

If you are shooting the 8 ball as the final shot and you scratch

and the 8 ball goes in you lose. Bar rules vary some places

as long as the 8 ball is on the table a scratch is not a loss.

A scratch on the break is not a loss it is ball in hand behind

the headstring. An 8 ball on the break is a win. League rules

say any scratch on the 8 is a loss, and knocking the cue ball

off the table in league rules while shooting the 8 is also a loss.

Answer 3

That's ridiculous. No legitimate set of rules anywhere says you lose just for scratching on the break, and if anyone tried to pull that on me in a bar we'd have a serious problem.

So that answer is NO. Never. Anyone who tells you otherwise has no clue what they're talking about.

Answer 4

I think that rule applies across the board.  Bar rules can vary however the one consistent rule is if you pocket the 8 ball out of turn or scratch off the break you lose.

Answer 5

In most games, you would actually win!!

Answer 6

I've never heard of such a thing.  You'd automatically lose if sunk the 8 ball on the break -- or out of sequence at any time, for that matter -- but a scratch on the break would simply result in your loss of turn.

Answer 7

4.06 SCRATCH ON A LEGAL BREAK

If a player scratches on a legal break shot, (1) all balls pocketed remain pocketed (exception, the 8-ball: see rule 4.8), (2) it is a foul, (3) the table is open. Please Note: The incoming player has cue ball in hand behind the head string and may not shoot an object ball that is behind the head string, unless he first shoots the cue ball past the head string and causes the cue ball to come back behind the head string and hit the object ball.

Answer 8

yup

scratch on 8 ball you lose

Answer 9

It varies. It all depends on where and how your playing.

Answer 10

Most bars, and many tournaments, will give you an automatic loss for scratching on the break.  That particular rule should be addressed before the break, as well as whether sinking the nine on the break in nineball is an automatic win.  You can get in a whole lot of trouble with either of these, if you don't know the house rules before you start!  :)

Answer 11

I've always played that way...coin operated I usually play it out for fun though.  It really depends on how serious each player is though.  If there is money riding on the game, rules should be discussed beforehand though...including slop shot rules.

Answer 12

no not unless u make 8 ball to

Answer 13

no

Answer 14

The friend who said if you scratch on the break shot does not know what he is talking about.  Look into playing BCA (world standardised rules)  Its a much better game.  Keep rackin em up!

Answer 15

Depends, in the league I play in yes it is but there is no black & white answer on this. It's best to always discuss what rules your going to play before the game starts such as ball in hand, calling your pocket...

Answer 16

No.  Its a scratch and the opposing player has ball in hand.

Answer 17

APA rules say that you do not lose, ball in hand to opponent BEHIND the break line and still an open table whether you made another ball or not.  www.poolplayers.com

Answer 18

There are no "standard" bar room rules.  It's best to make sure everyone is playing by the same set of rules beforehand.

The nice thing about the official rules (BCA, WPA, APA, etc.) is that you can print them up and they're printed in books, so you can always refer to something if there's a disagreement.  These rules state that in the given scenario, the opponent would get ball in hand behind the head string (in the kitchen), as some of the other answerers have said already.

Answer 19

I've always played; that if you scratch during the break; you automatically lose.