Topic: 8 Ball Pool. Qs: What are the cases when you have the cue ball in hand?

Question

Sorry for asking such a lame question, but I just started playing and I am unsure when I can have the cue ball in my hand. Please correct me if I am wrong, it is when

1) The cue ball hits no ball
2) The cue ball hits the opponent's ball
3) The cue ball flies off the table
4) The cue ball hits the black ball when it's not supposed to be hit.
5) The cue ball goes in to the pocket

Are these 5 cases correct? Are there more?

Answer 1

Your five are basically correct, with the following addition; when hitting your ball, either the object ball, the cue ball or another ball contacted by either the OB or the CB must proceed to a rail or pocket. Otherwise, skilled players (or lucky players) would simply nudge the cue ball into one of their balls, leaving the opponent with no shot. Don't get me wrong, defense is often the correct play, but should be done in a legal and sporting manner. Driving the object ball or cue ball to a rail forces the shooter to use more skill when attempting to play defense. Strict rules may indicate that touching any ball on the table with your hand, cue, or clothing is also a ball in hand foul.

Answer 2

The cue must hit your ball first so there is #1 and #2
#3 and #5 are considered a scratch so it's ball in hand
for #4 if your ball is hit first then its ok..it doesnt matter if the 8 is hit.
If the 8 gets sunk before all your balls are off the table..you lose...if you scratch on the 8 you also lose.

Answer 3

The way I play is that when the cue ball hits no other ball, hits the opponents ball before your own, hits the 8 ball before your own, or goes in a pocket, it's a scratch and you have to put it behind the first 2 dots on the table.
When it flies off the table I think you can put it anywhere on the table you'd like.
A good website to look at is: http://www.pool-table-rules.com/

Answer 4

1,2,3+5 are correct. Also if you dont hit your ball first it is a foul, so #4 is correct in that case,as mentioned by previous answers. Also if you fail to either pocket a ball, or contact a cushion with the cueball or another ball AFTER the initial hit, it is a foul. All fouls result in ball-in-hand.

You would be best to get a copy of the BCA rules, although there are a lot of rules applied to different leagues and tourneys.IMO BCA rules are the most generally accepted.

Answer 5

8-Ball is a real pain, because rules have only recently been standardized. House rules still change things. But the newer international rules are interesting, and work well with TV tournaments --- meaning it's fun to watch.

Go here to answer questions regarding pool:
http://www.bca-pool.com/play/tournaments/rules/rls_8bl.shtml

I have several older rule books, and they all disagree with one another regarding 8-ball. This site helps solve questions relating 8-ball, 9-ball, and a bunch of other games.

Have fun.