Rules when playing Pool, can someone verify these for me please?

Question

After the white ball is potted, and you put in on the pool table agan to have your 2 shots, can you hit the cue ball BACKWARDS? I heard you have to hit it down towards the far end of the table..

And..when it comes to the number 8 (black ball), do you HAVE to name the bag you are aiming for, before you take your shot. And if you do, and hit it into the wrong pocket, do you still win?

Any info on these 2 qu's would help me a lot !

thanks !

x

Answer 1

You are NOT playing traditional 8 ball. You are playing Black Ball, a game that's almost exclusively played in the UK. If you'd like accurate answers, you should clarify that in your post. Otherwise, you'll get answer pertaining to 8 Ball, the game the other 99% of the world plays that is similar to what you are talking about.

Answer 2

You can play in any direction from baulk.

You don't have to nominate the pocket.

It sounds like you are playing at home (somewhere in the uk). If you plan on playing anywhere else,go in the venue you intend playing at,and look for the set of rules on the wall near the pool table.

That should tell you at the top whether your local pubs play e.p.a. rules,world rules,bapto,or blackball rules.

Once you know that,you can do a simple search on your pc for the rules.

Answer 3

Actually, you don't get 2 shots.  If you are playing BCA (world standardized) rules scratching is a foul and that results in ball in hand for the opponent and they can put the cue ball anywhere on the table and shoot in any direction they want.  When it comes to the 8 ball you have to call your pocket same as every ball you are going to make, and if you pocket the 8 in another pocket you lose.  Good luck, and keep racken em up!

Answer 4

I don't understand your first question, but for the 8-ball yes you have to call your pocket, that's the way we play in league anyways.  I've played a lot of different ways, you should just ask before you start.

Answer 5

In English 8 ball the rules currently being played( they change them from time to time)

You can hit the cue ball in any direction after a fouled and replaced white,  This rule has been in force for over 15 years.

You do not have to nominate a pocket for the black as far as i know in twenty one years of playing minor league pool this has never been a rule  (you usually find sad losers remember this rule just after they have lost)

In all my years playing in the UK I have never heard of the game 'black ball' until visiting this forum

Why the h**l don't you specify which game you're playing do you think you have the only country/pool game in the world, you might even get a comprehensive answer to your question

Answer 6

first of all you only ever get one shot unless you put the ball in the pocket you cll without hitting any of your opponents balls(called a kiss) unless you call that kiss. you never get two shots after someone scratches(inadvertantly puts the cue ball(white ball)in).ONE shot only.Boy the rules i hear of nowdays.In my day EVERYONE played by the same rules called REGULATION but now it seems everytime you play you have to give freekin lessons in regulation pool.Thats why I stopped going to play pool.There is only one correct way to play regulation pool an thats by the book.PLease get a book so the fine game of pool can reestablish itself and create the real enjoyment and SKILL that it once didSECOND question yes you must call the POCKET and make the shot clean without hitting any other balls unless you say which ball or balls you are gonna hit. before the eight goes in.If it goes in a different pocket you lose period.Please get a regulation 8 ball rule book and be the freekin talk o the town.ALL sports have rules and one set of rules pool is the same if you want a game of skill cause most games I see played nowdays have no skill(pool games i mean).And yes you must send the ball "down table"first you cant turn around and hit the close "rail"first called banking the cue ball

Answer 7

yes you have to hit the far end of the table first

yes and you have to call your shot for the 8 ball and you LOSE if you hit in the wrong pocket

Answer 8

The rules vary a lot in different parts of the world, as you can tell from the answers so far!

Since I think you are based in the UK, here are the rules according to the English Pool Association:

http://www.epa.org.uk/wrules.php