Break Shot With No Balls Pocketed

1/11/2013 9:58:58 PM

Break Shot With No Balls Pocketed

I am still learning to play pool. I have read the WPA rules, but the description of break is not precise enough. It states:

(c) If the breaker pockets a ball and does not foul, he continues at the table, and the table remains open. (See 3.4 Open Table / Choosing Groups.) (d) If no object ball is pocketed, at least four object balls must be driven to one or more rails, or the shot results in an illegal break, and the incoming player has the option of

(1) accepting the table in position, or (2) re-racking and breaking, or (3) re-racking and allowing the offending player to break again.

wpa-pool.com/web/index.asp?id=121&pagetype=rules#3.3

So what happens when breaker pockets nothing, but four object balls touches the rails? The break is legal, but who continues? The breaker or the opponent?

guest

This question relates to the following billiard rules:

8 Ball Rules

Break Shot With No Balls Pocketed

Replies & Comments

Zeke on 1/13/2013 11:15:48 AM
To retain your turn, one of two things must occur:
1. You must sink an object ball other than the 8.
2. Your opponent must commit a foul "bypassing" his turn.
In your illustration, simply having 4 balls hit a rail, only gives your opponent the next turn - without you paying a foul penalty for failing to meet the rule of 4.

allanpsand on 4/18/2013 10:59:43 AM
The breaking player retires and the other player comes in to shoot with the table as it lays.

The minimum requirement for a legal break was satisfied, no balls were pocketed, and the cue ball did not scratch.

Break Shot With No Balls Pocketed

Title: Break Shot With No Balls Pocketed
Author: guest
Published: 1/11/2013 9:58:58 PM