Does a ball have to hit the rail in English pool?

PLEASE NOTE: It is permissible for the shooter to bank the cue ball off a rail before contacting his object ball; however, after contact with his object ball, an object ball must be pocketed, OR the cue ball or any numbered ball must contact a rail. Failure to meet these requirements is a foul.

Does a pool ball have to hit a rail?

Failure to hit a rail after contact. A sentence that should answer many questions is: "ANY ball (including the cue ball) must go to a rail AFTER LEGAL contact." A pocketed ball counts as a rail.

Is it a scratch in pool if neither ball hits a rail?

7.4 No Rail

If after the cue ball strikes a legal ball and neither the cue ball nor any other ball hits a rail or is pocketed, it is a ball in hand foul.

Does a ball have to hit the cushion in English pool?

If on any visit a player fails to pot a legal ball, either the cueball or an object ball has to touch a cushion. The only exception to the above rule is when a player is totally snookered on all of their balls, a total snooker being defined as the player not being able to see any part of their chosen ball set.

Does a ball have to hit a rail in snooker?

It is not necessary to send a ball to a rail or into a pocket. Failure to meet this requirement is a foul (see Penalties For Fouls) A foul is scored and--with all fouls--the incoming player has a choice of (1) accepting the table and becoming the striker, or (2) requiring the offender to break again.

How To Shoot Frozen Balls Down The Rail (Revisit)

What is the 3 rail rule in pool?

The most popular rule is that you can pocket balls without touching the rail if you hit at least three rails before you hit the object ball. In this way, you can also do something with balls that are close to a pocket and cannot be played as a bank shot.

Does the white ball have to hit a cushion?

The Break - Player A must place the white ball behind the line and hit the pack. A minimum of four balls must hit a cushion otherwise it is a foul break. 3. If player A pots on the break when they are on that colour for the rest of the game.

Is it a foul if no ball hits the cushion?

Unless otherwise stated in a specific game rule, a player must cause the cue ball to contact a legal object ball and then: (a) Pocket a numbered ball, or; (b) Cause the cue ball or any numbered ball to contact a cushion or any part of the rail. Failure to meet these requirements is a foul.

What are the rules of English billiards?

Each player shoots their cue ball so that it bounces off the foot rail. The objective is not to hit the red ball but see whose cue ball stops the closest to the red ball. That player will win the break shot. The only balls on the table are the red ball and the breaking player's cue ball during the break shot.

How does English work on pool ball?

English or “side” refers to sidespin applied to the cue ball (CB) by hitting left or right of the cue-ball vertical centerline. Proper usage suggests the term “english” is preferable to “English” for describing sidespin, but “English” is also commonly used.

Can you move cue ball off rail?

As per the 8 ball pool rules, the white ball can be moved freely anywhere on the table (behind the headstring) during the break shot. After playing the break shot, the players cannot move the cue ball at their convenience, except in some instances.

What is a kiss shot in pool?

A kiss shot is a type of billiards shot in which the shooting player strikes the cue ball with the intent of hitting an object ball so that it will ricochet off a rail or another ball (this contact is the “kiss”) before going into the pocket.

What happens if you don't hit the cushion in pool?

The opening player plays at the triangle of object balls by striking the cue ball from any position on, or behind, the baulk line. An object ball must be pocketed, or at least TWO object balls hit any cushion. Failure to do so is a foul break and will result in the balls be re-racked as per rule sheet.

Can you put the cue ball anywhere after a scratch?

Where do you place the cue ball after a scratch in pool? After a scratch on the break, your opponent can place the cue ball wherever behind the head string they please. The cue ball must cross the head string before making contact with any object balls in order to maintain game play.

Why are scoop shots illegal?

Scoop shots are illegal (in all Billiard leagues) because they may bounce off the ferrule, not the tip. A double hit may also occur as the cue hits the ball, the felt, then the ball again (or at the same time). Scooping is also damaging to the felt.

What is the difference between English billiards and pool?

Billiards is played on a table without pockets. The game only has three balls, which are red, white (with a spot), and another white one (without a spot). Pool involves a table with six pockets. You need 15 balls, but some people play with just nine.

What is the difference between English pool and American pool rules?

The simplest answer is that the American pool tables are generally larger than English pool tables with the standard American pool table being an 7ft, 8ft or 9ft and the standard English pool table being a 6ft, 7ft or 8ft. The official tournament or professional sizes being 9ft for American, and 7ft for English.

What is the golden break rule in English pool?

The break consists of hitting the 1-ball, with the attempt to pocket any ball. If the nine-ball is successfully potted, the player automatically wins the rack. This is sometimes known as a golden break .

Is a push shot legal in pool?

1 Definitions: Most shots commonly known as "Push Shots" in the game of "Snooker" are allowed in the game of Eight - Ball Pool. Generally, any shot played with speed will not be deemed to be a Push Shot regardless of the fact that the cue tip may have come into contact with the Cue Ball more than once.

Do you get 2 shots on the black in English pool?

This debate left us curious and much to the shock of the majority, the official rules of blackball pool - the most common in pubs where you play with yellow and red balls, state that the person on the black ball is allowed two shots when their opponent makes a foul shot.

Can it be a foul if you touch the ball?

It is only a foul if the player intentionally handles the ball. Therefore, all of those times that a defender kicks the ball right into a player's hand or the ball bounces up and hits an arm, these are not fouls and should not be called.

What happens if you pocket the cue ball?

A scratch is when a player pockets the white cue ball at any point during their turn. When this happens, the player who goes next gets a "ball in hand". A ball in hand allows a player to place the cue ball anywhere on the table before making their shot. The exception to this is if a player scratches on the break.

What is a dead rail in pool?

Over time these bolts can become loose from vibration or if the technician did not properly torque them down originally. The result is a rail or rails that seam "dead" when the ball hits them and does not come off with consistent speed.

Do professional pool players call shots?

Definitions. According to the Billiards Congress of America (BCA), “for games of call-shot, a player may shoot any ball s/he chooses, but before s/he shoots, (s/he) must designate the called ball and called pocket.” By contrast, in slop pool, players don't have to call their shots.