In billiards (pool) if I call a safety shot what exactly can I get away with?

Question

I wanted to know if I can call safety and then hit my opponents ball in without it being a foul, and instead he would have to shoot. Also, can I call a safety and hit in my own and now I don't shoot again but my opponent does?

Answer 1

In Billiards a safety constitutes that you still make your cue meet the three rail rule but not hit either the red ball or your opponent's cue. If you do not make the three rails or hit one of the balls it is a foul and your opponent has "ball in hand".

It appears that the other people that answered have never played billiards. There is quite the difference between that and the 8-ball description they gave.

Answer 2

It   depends  on   the   game   you  are   playing.   I   would   get   a   rulebook   or   just   look   on   the    net.

Answer 3

Whether you are playing safe or not, you must always perform a legal shot.  If the groups have already been established, for example, if you're solids, you MUST hit a solid first in order for the shot to be legal.  If you call safety, you may pocket a ball from your group and not be obligated to shoot again.  This is sometimes very advantageous if you have two balls from your group near a pocket and by pocketing one, you are snookering behind the other.

You can refer to www.bca-pool.com for more information on the rules of 8-ball.

Answer 4

The only time in 8 ball that you would even have to call a safety is if you are going to pocket your ball and give up your next shot.  You still have to get a good hit (cue ball into your object ball then something has to hit a rail or be pocketed).  In that, you can't ever shoot your opponents ball first, the only time its open is off the break until a suit is established.  My personal experience, I will usually tell my opponent if I am going to play a safe most times just because its habit, and also if its close he may elect to have a ref watch to make sure its a good hit.  Good luck, and keep rackn em up!

Answer 5

For the most part just about anything as long as you make a legal shot.  It also depends on the game.

In 8-ball, you have to hit your ball first, and push 1 ball to a rail after contact, aside from that, as long as you don't sink the cue or the 8, it's no problem, incoming player gets the table as you left it.

In 9-ball, and other rotation games, you must first strike the lowest ball on the table, push 1 ball to a rail, incoming player gets the table as it is as long as you don't sink the cue ball.  Keep in mind that in some rotation games, improperly sunk object balls are spotted at the foot spot or if there is a ball there, in a line directly behind it.  

Good luck,

-Michael