What are the rules of breaking in pool?

02/09/2022

What are the rules of breaking in pool?

For a legal break to occur, at least two object balls must hit a rail after the cue ball has touched the first object ball. The goal in both cases is to pocket at least one ball on the break. If a ball is pocketed on the break, the player making the break may continue his shot.

Can you break from anywhere in pool?

All break shots require the cue ball to be behind the head string which is your main limitation. Professional tournaments might limit how far to the side or middle you can place the cue ball for the break, but for most amateur tournaments the cue ball can go anywhere.

What’s an illegal break in pool?

If the breaker does not pocket a ball and fails to drive at least 4 balls to one or more rails, it is an illegal break. In the case of an illegal break, the opponent can either accept the table as is and play from there; choose to re-rack and break; or re-rack and have the breaker go again.

What happens when you break in a game of pool?

1. On the break, the first shot of the game, the cue ball must be played from behind the head string (i.e., in the “kitchen”). If an object ball is pocketed on the break, you get to continue with your turn, unless you scratch (i.e., you pocket the cue ball) on the break. 2.

Who breaks in a pool game?

Lagging for the break means both players pick any ball and shoot it from behind the 2nd dot going towards the long way of the pool table. Whomever’s ball hits closest to the short rail (it should be the rail right in front of you), wins the lag and gets to break.

What is a legal break in 8-ball?

For a break to be legal, at least four balls must be driven to the rails or a ball must be pocketed. Otherwise, the balls are re-racked and re-broken by the same player. A game not legally broken but resulting in a scratch or foul will be re-racked and broken by the opposite player.

When you break in pool and the 8-ball goes in?

According to the APA, if the 8 ball is pocketed on the break, that player wins. However, if they also scratch, then it is an immediate loss. This is very straightforward and is a simple rule to follow. However, the league can also issue penalties for not breaking correctly, resulting in an illegal break.

Who breaks first billiards?

The lag is the first shot of the match and determines order of play. The player who wins the lag chooses who will shoot first. The referee will place a ball on each side of the table behind the head string and near the head string.

What if you sink the 8-ball on the break?

Likewise, if you sink the 8 ball on the break, you don’t win. You either spot the 8 ball or re-rack. Traditionally, 8 ball is a “call shot” game. That means you have to choose the pocket where you’re shooting before taking your shot.

What happens if you foul on the break?

If a player jumps an object ball off the table on the break shot, it is a foul and the incoming player has the option of (1) accepting the table in position and shooting, or (2) taking cue ball in hand behind the headstring and shooting. Any jumped balls are spotted in numerical order.

What happens if you put the black ball in pool on the break?

If the black is potted, the game is restarted with a re-rack , broken by the original breaker. If the cue ball is potted on an otherwise fair break, it is a “non-standard” foul (foul) that simply ends the breaker’s turn, with no further penalties.

What happens if you sink the cue ball on the break?

Sinking the cue ball on break is a scratch and passes the turn to the opponent, giving them ball in hand. Pocketing the 8-Ball on the break “spots” the 8-Ball back into its original position and the breaker keeps their turn. If a ball is in the place of where the 8-Ball needs to go, it will take the closest free spot.

Is scratching on the break a loss in pool?

7. SCRATCH ON A LEGAL BREAK. If a player scratches on a legal break shot, (1) all balls pocketed remain pocketed (exception, the 8-ball: see rule 9), (2) it is a foul, (3) the table is open.