What is the standard (most common) rule in pool for is a player shoots for the 8-ball and misses?

Question

Suppose are playing pool and you are shooting for the eight ball. You miss. The cue ball does not leave the table or go in a pocket. You simply miss the eight ball, which is your object ball. Do you lose? And does it matter whose shot it was right before you were going for the eight ball?

I know that there are perhaps varying rules for this situation, but I am just trying to find out what the most commonly used rule is.

Thanks.

Answer 1

When you say miss the 8 ball do you mean do not even strike it or just fail to sink it?

If you just fail to sink it then I believe play continues with the next shooter.

If you fail to even touch the 8 ball then it is in many situations considered a table scratch.  And if you scratch when shooting at the 8 ball you loose.

If your playing in a tournament the rules will be published.  If your playing in a bar take 2 minutes and talk the the person your playing (if you don't know them) and agree on a set of rules ahead of time.  Some people will honor the table scratch some won't in bars.

Answer 2

among people who know the rules and play quasi seriously, that's a scratch and you lose. But usually playing with people who only play casually I often don't use that rule, i usually wait for it to happen and let the other person decide. Which is only a problem when betting but when betting you use house rules, which are strict standardized rules and usually state that's a scratch.

Answer 3

ok bar rules  as long as you dont scratch on the 8 it is the other persons turn if you scratch on the 8 you lose. Bank the 8 rules as long as you dont scratch when you sink the 8 its the other persons turn Tournament rules if you dont hit the 8 at all its ball in hand if you miss and dont scratch next persons turn  However most bars have house rules if theres money on the table check house rules before playing

Answer 4

I thought we just answerd this, it in itself is Not a loss the other player would have ball in hand and probley win with easy shot but the miss is not a loss

Unless (house rules says diffrent) some do

BCA the governing body of Pool since 1948 it is not a loss its a ball in hand foul

Answer 5

The game is over and the person that missed the 8 ball loses.  At least that's how I play.

Answer 6

Under Tournament Rules, you would be correct, if the player misses his/her object ball and it's the last ball for them (8 ball)...they lose.

Answer 7

Johnny is right.  Missing your legal object ball is a foul and ball in hand for your opponent.  It is only a loss of game if the 8-ball is pocketed on a foul.  These are world-standardized rules and they're available for anybody to look up.  Pick up a copy of the BCA rulebook or go to the BCA website.  Unfortunately standardized rules are not necessarily the most common.  M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.

P.S.  Technically, the terms "foul" and "scratch" mean the same thing.  The word "scratch" comes from back in the day when score was kept on a chalk board and by fouling, a person would have to scratch one point off of their total.

Answer 8

you only lose if you scratch on the 8 ball.  Some people play(and the rules state) if the cue ball does not strike an object ball (on ANY shot including the 8 ball) that is a scratch.  If you just miss the shot though your opponent then has an attempt.