What is a free ball in English pool?

A free ball is a player-nominated substitute for the ball "on" when a player becomes snookered as the result of a foul committed by the opponent.

What is the free ball rule in English pool?

Free ball. On first shot following the foul any ball can be played and/or potted (except the black if it's not "on"). No nomination is required.

Do you have to hit a ball on a free ball in pool?

b. A free shot: A player must hit a ball. Failing to do this results in the loss of the subsequent shot and the opponent having two shots.

What are the rules of British pool?

Objective. The game is played on a rectangular six pocket table with 15 balls (seven yellows, seven reds and one black 8-ball.) To win, a player or team must pocket all their group of object balls in any order, and then legally pocket the 8 ball.

Is English pool harder than American?

With the larger pockets and balls, American pool is an easier game to pick up and learn, especially good if you have children you're looking to get into the game. The game is also a good deal faster with the smoother cloth.

115. Is it a Free Ball? - The answer

What cue is best for English pool?

Most adult players will be best suited to a standard-length 57-inch cue, although a 48-inch cue is also perfectly good for most adults and older children. If they travel to play, then a 2-piece or 3-piece cue might be ideal. But if they play at home, a 1-piece could be the best.

Can you use an American cue for English pool?

Using an American Cue for English Pool

For general play, a player would struggle using an American pool cue due to the difficulty in precise ball control. The cue tip is so large compared to the English cue ball that striking a specific point on it accurately is very difficult.

What does England call pool?

pool, also called life pool, British billiards game in which each player uses a cue ball of a different colour and tries to pocket the ball of a particular opponent, thus taking a “life.” Players have three lives and pay into a betting pool at the start of the game. The last player with a life wins the pool.

Can you jump in English pool?

3.27 JUMP SHOTS

Unless otherwise stated in rules for a specific game it is legal to cause the cue ball to rise off the bed of the table by elevating the cue stick on the shot, and forcing the cue ball to rebound from the bed of the table. Any miscue when executing a jump shot is a foul.

What is the difference between American pool and British pool?

As with their tables, American pool balls are bigger than British ones by ¼ inch. It may not seem like much of a difference, but at 2 ¼-inches, they're heavier and can therefore carry more forward momentum when rolling than the 2-inch British pool balls.

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

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.

What is a free ball?

noun. : a ball other than a legal forward pass that is not dead and not in the possession of any player in a football game and that may be recovered by either side.

Is scooping illegal in pool?

Is a “scoop” jump shot a foul, even if there is no miscue or multiple hit? Yes. Here is the pertinent quote from WPA Rule 8.18: A scoop shot, in which the cue tip contacts the playing surface and the cue ball at the same time and this causes the cue ball to rise off the cloth, is treated like a miscue.

Is English pool harder?

Even the cushions and pockets are designed differently. On British tables, the pockets are narrow with pronounced, rounded shoulders. This makes it harder to pot a ball, as the shoulders can rebound your shot in almost any direction, and promotes skill. The cushion profile is L-shaped, which gives a moderate rebound.

Why is scooping the cue ball illegal?

But why are scoop shots illegal in pool? 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.

Why do Americans say English for spin?

Here's the most common story: An Englishman visited the US soon after leather tips were invented. He gave exhibitions showing spin shots previously not possible. People were impressed with these new “English” shots. The name “english” stuck (for any shot using spin on the CB, especially sidespin).

What is a pool table without pockets called?

Carom billiard is played on a billiard table without pockets and with a set of 3 balls: one red and two white of which one is marked. The player must use the cue ball to make contact with the other two balls on the table in order to score 1 point.

Why is pool called snooker?

The lieutenant thought that he should add other coloured balls. And because those balls were newly introduced into the game, he called his version of “black pool” as a snooker. The name came from the newbies of the Royal Military Academy, which are called “snookers.”

What is the best cue tip for English 8 ball pool?

Tip size: Most 8-Ball Pool players opt for a tip size of 8.5-9.5mm. I have also known some players use a 7.5mm tip, if you decide to opt for such a small tip be mindful not to impart any unwanted traces of side onto the cue ball.

What is the difference between a snooker cue and a pool cue?

The tip normally measures about 8-9 mm wide. Yes, American cues are usually a little thicker with a larger tip (12-13 mm) to accommodate the larger cue ball. Conversely, snooker cues are thicker and made sturdier with a tip that measures 9-10 mm. As for sturdiness, a cue's shaft is rated based on its deflection rating.

What is the difference between a British pool and snooker cue?

Pool cues differ between UK and America, but UK cues are usually 8-9 mm wide at the tip. Snooker balls are 2⅙”, which is slightly smaller than pool cue balls. Smaller balls are needed to fit in smaller pockets. Snooker cues are about the same length as pool, though some have a slightly smaller tip.

How often should you change your cue tip?

When or how often should you replace a cue tip? Usually, a tip is replaced either when you want to try something new or if your current tip has worn down too low, where there is almost no tip material left on the shoulder of the ferrule.

What cue did Tom Cruise use?

The famous scene in the 1986 sequel to The Hustler, The Color of Money where Tom Cruise is given a beautiful cue by Paul Newman and told, “It's a Balabushka,” made the name Balabushka synonymous with top quality pool cues.

What cue tip size do pros use?

Cue tips with a large diameter (about 13 mm) are frequently recommended for newer players. The cue tip's increased surface area may help you land even the most challenging strokes. You can use smaller cue tips and practice on your side spin as your pool skills improve.

What are the red dots on a cue ball for?

The six red dots on the cue ball allow you to see the spin of the cue ball. Unsurpassed in quality, each ball is made with Aramith's unique phenolic resin making them among the sturdiest and most impact resistant balls on the market.