With the game "pool" rules "ball in hand" when you break?

Question

(1 high ball 1 low ball) you still don't know which balls you have (to pot)? A friend told me that after the break he can still decide which ball to pot "first" to choose which balls he has to pot. is this true?

Answer 1

If you make 2 separate balls on the break, one from high numbers, one from low, you get to choose which numbers you would rather shoot, so check out the table, see which balls have better shots available on them and choose.

"Ball in hand" means, - that after an opponents scratch, or shot that completely missed all of their numbered balls on the table,  - that you may move the ball to any spot on the table before you take your shot.

Answer 2

the table is only "open" if no balls are made on the break or if an equal number of "hi" and "low" balls are made on the break. The person has a choice "stripes" or "solids". gracious wolfe got ball in hand correct.

Answer 3

It doesn't matter what goes in on the break shot, the table is always "open" after the break, so your friend is right.

Answer 4

Stretch is wrong.  If you are playing ball in hand rules (world standardized rules), it is always open after the break shot.  You must pocket a ball to establish your suit.