8 Ball Pool Rules Variations in Argentina
2/21/2013 7:10:47 PM
8 Ball Pool Rules Variations in Argentina
I'm from Argentina, just gifted myself a family pool table and decided to learn at least the basics.
Now the very first thing I noticed is that I have no idea what we play around here. The "rules" we all follow (by word of mouth) , when we just go to a bar and play some pool with friends, do not match 8 ball.
The first difference is in the arrangement of the balls inside the triangle. We put the same type (solid or stripes) in each of the three corners, yet what I'm seeing in tutorials and videos differ from that.
Then, if you make a fail (scratch the cue ball, miscue, etc), the opponent cannot just place the cue ball wherever he wants (as IIUC is the case in 8 ball), instead he starts from "the starting position" (behind the first diamond line) and has two consecutive shots.
Finally, when one pockets the final ball, the 8 ball cannot be pocketed anywhere but it has to be pocketed in the same pocket the last ball went into.
So, is there a game that is played like that? or is just a deformation of 8-ball? If so, how come everyone (that is not a player) follows those same rules?
This question relates to the following billiard rules:
8 Ball Pool Rules Variations in Argentina
Replies & Comments
Zeke on 2/21/2013 7:58:02 PM
I've heard so many 8-ball rules variations, I wouldn't doubt the version you describe isn't played here in the States at SOME bar, somewhere.
Regional variations are so profuse and so "local," many places have the "local rules" framed or posted on granite, usually under the ladies room floor facing the crawl space - but Slick Willy, over in the corner, will interpret the house rules any time you ask. Most of the time, when you DON'T ask - even more...
shadyj on 2/22/2013 8:25:11 PMIve played in few bars since i was a kid but have never or at least cannot remember ever having heard of 8 ball rules like that ... which got me to thinking... hell maybe the way we play in Missouri isn't "correct" or standard, so i went looking for answers.. and found this http://www.thecuestick.com/games/ which i thought was pretty cool... congrats on the table btw )
Mitch Alsup on 2/23/2013 10:02:41 PM
http://www.wpa-pool.com/web/the_rules_of_play
Its easier tham me writing lots of stuff.
Mitch,
Problem # 1: The link you posted fails to cover the most important aspect of the conversation: "HOUSE RULES"
Problem # 2: Besides, the WPA is just one of many authorities that claim jurisdiction.
And we know that ain't so - either.
tasha_silvester on 2/25/2013 6:40:11 AM
I am afraid it is just the definition. The actual 8-ball game is much more beyond your definition. The cues, the tables, chalks and a hell or a lot more things should be taken care of.
Rules are easy, but implementation will make you crazy.
But start with this only, and regular practice and tutorials will help you out.
fcacciola on 2/25/2013 11:50:51 AM
Thank you all for the replies. So we must be using some variation, and not some standard game which is not 8-ball. That's what I thought.
I noticed that the differences against the actual rules have the effect of making the game larger (for example having to pocket the 8-ball (or "black ball" as we call it) into a fixed pocket and not just the closest one), so I wonder if the deviation did not just occurred to that effect. In the bars here you pay for the game, not for time (usually one coin is used to unlock the balls after they have all been pocketed).
UPDATE - I GOT IT!
After reading on the WPA website, I realize now that what we play here (anywhere within Argentina AFAICT) is a variation of Black Ball, not 8-Ball! The thing is that we play it with solid/stripe balls instead of two colored ones. We use "behind the head string" for fouls instead of a "baulk".
gibson on 2/28/2013 12:48:05 PMSince it is your table, you can make the rules. If you are a gracious host and no money is involved, ask your guests how they want to play and play their game. If you want to play the way I play, everyone will be pissed at you. (calll eight ball only, basically everything is spotted and ball in hand behind kitchen, eight ball break wins game, eight ball scratch ends game) just add last pocket if you wish. If you want the game to last forever you can play bank off cushion into last pocket and if you want to get nuts you can add 1 ball in left pocket and 15 ball in right pocket to start. ( spot 1 and 15 if made in the wrong pocket). I think every player should design his own rules for one game, play that way and then realize who perfectly superlatively sane the BCA tournament 8 ball rules are
Very good advice, since indeed I can do that. And with so many variations of the rules as well as different games (8-ball vs black-ball), there is clearly not a mandatory way to play it. At least not for us beginners.
In time I will learn about all the different rules and variations, then I might be able to explain why it would be better to play this or that way (kind of like you said: do we want the game to last forever? and such...)
Best
Problem # 1: The link you posted fails to cover the most important aspect of the conversation: "HOUSE RULES"
Intentionally: there should be one set of rules in use world wide, including houses, homes, businesses, tournaments, and others un-noted.
Problem # 2: Besides, the WPA is just one of many authorities that claim jurisdiction.
Just one of the reasons pool is on the decline--the failure to submit to one governing authority (whomever that might be.)
Agreed.
Hi Fcacciola,
Congratulations on your new table. Firstly I would say that rules for 8-ball played in bars and rules for 8-ball being played professionally are different simply because of the ability of the players.
I would suggest you to learn the basic rules of 8-ball first and then gradually move towards learning more professional rules.
The myriad of 8-ball and "house rules" are based on a player's ability?
I knew there was a reason I hate the game... ;-)
LOL, but I think it does make some sense, specially regarding house rules. I played the other day with a friend, for which I mentioned first the "issue" about the rules, and after a brief discussion we decided not to call the ball, as in legal 8-ball, because we didn't feel confident enough for that... and that just happens to be the case of the house rules I always knew.
House rules are based on:
- Inability
- Ignorance or
- contempt
Mitch nailed it!
billiardsforum on 5/26/2013 8:40:17 PM@mitch or @zeke, can you elaborate on the last post about house rules?
Does the same stereotype apply if, say, the house applies a well-known organization rule set, e.g. BCA, etc.?
There are already far too many "organizations" claiming jurisdiction over rules.
Making "house rules" - is merely the implementation of bad ideas that address those self promoting "organizations" who want us to believe only they have authority to make rules - so as an act of defiance, house rules are invented.
We all know the organizations claiming "jurisdiction" over how we play game, do not have the best interest of the sport in mind - merely the revenue that can be generated by public table owners and the organizations that sanction them as competitive venues.
When rules result in shorter game times, spectacular TV shot-making displays that are the result of "rules," not talent, the problem becomes more apparent.
Two classic examples: B-I-H being anywhere on the table vs. in the kitchen only; and, "straight pool's" name being changed to 14.1 (and the resulting capricious directive that the 1 and 5 ball should be placed on corners).
When rules are promulgated purely for the purpose of revenue enhancement - or some no-name organization becoming the "authority" of a game that existed long before they even existed, we need to ask "Why"? When the answer is, "Because they can," we need to speak up.
Outside interference is always just that. To then claim the interference is for the good of the sport - is where the house rule gets its impetus. Two wrongs however, never make a "right."
When we realize all these "organizations" claiming to be the arbiter of rules are in fact merely invoking "house rules" of their own making, we will stop embracing their variations and return to the original rules - which are after all, why most of us enjoyed the game since the first rack.
Those that are too young to remember how the original rules were - will look at this post and say, "Huh, what's he ranting about"?
OK, so for a newcomer like me, how (or rather where) do I get the old, original rules? I how do I tell the difference? TIA
A littel Googling around found this which looks fairly complete
http://www.wpa-pool.com/web/the_regulations http://www.wpa-pool.com/web/the_rules_of_play
The second link has all of the common games across the top as click buttons.
Unfortunately, both the rules Mitch noted above are from just one - of many "authorities" - and therefore subject to the very bias that now makes the various nuances of pool so confusing.
There will never be a single arbiter of all pool game rules. The reason? No existing forum wants to be thrown under the bus.
There's too much money involved. :(
8 Ball Pool Rules Variations in Argentina
- Title: 8 Ball Pool Rules Variations in Argentina
- Author: fcacciola (Fernando Cacciola)
- Published: 2/21/2013 7:10:47 PM
