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Rule for Split Hits When Shooting the 8 Ball in Missouri 8 Ball

8/16/2024 1:30:45 PM

Rule for Split Hits When Shooting the 8 Ball in Missouri 8 Ball

In a Missouri 8 Ball league match, if a player shooting for the 8 ball and makes concurrent and simultaneous contact with another ball (i.e. a "split hit"), is that considered a good hit for the shot?

Are split hits on the 8 ball illegal, or are they ok?

This question references the following Billiard Glossary terms:

This question relates to the following billiard rules:

Rule for Split Hits When Shooting the 8 Ball in Missouri 8 Ball

Replies & Comments
  1. user1723829443billiardsforum on 9/4/2024 7:36:18 AM

    According to the World Pool-Billiard Association "rule regulations", a "split hit" is considered a legal shot (whether or not the shot is on the 8 ball or any other legal object ball).

    The World Pool-Billiard Association (the "WPA") is the top-level organization governing cue sports internationally and most leagues adopt WPA rules.

    Their "rule regulations" are separate from individual game rules, but handle things and scenarios not generally specified in individual game rules. Split hits are one such scenario which is covered in rule regulation section #27 "Split Hits":

    Rule Regulations

    [...]

    27. Split Hits

    If the cue ball strikes a legal object ball and a non-legal object ball at approximately the same instant, and it cannot be determined which ball was hit first, it will be assumed that the legal target was struck first.

    In general, a referee would determine and declare whether the shot was actually a split hit. If no referee is present, the non-shooting player performs the duties of a referee. This is covered in section 5 of the rule regulations (only the relevant section is included below):

    5. Playing with an Area Referee

    [...]

    The non-shooting player will perform all of the duties of the referee. If, prior to a particular shot, the shooting player feels that his opponent will not be able to properly judge the shot, he should ask the area referee to watch the shot. The non-shooting player may also ask for such attention if he feels that he is unable or is unwilling to rule on the shot. Either player has the power to suspend play until he is satisfied with the way the match is being refereed.

    If a dispute arises between two players in an unrefereed match, and the area referee is asked to make a decision without having seen the cause of the dispute, he should be careful to understand the situation as completely as possible. This might include asking trusted witnesses, reviewing video tapes, or reenacting the shot. If the area referee is asked to determine whether a foul occurred and there is no evidence of the foul except the claim of one player while the other player claims that there was no foul, then it is assumed that no foul occurred.

    But in the end, you should check with the management of your local league to confirm how they treat (or intend to treat) split hits.

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Rule for Split Hits When Shooting the 8 Ball in Missouri 8 Ball

  • Title: Rule for Split Hits When Shooting the 8 Ball in Missouri 8 Ball
  • Author:
  • Published: 8/16/2024 1:30:45 PM
  • Last Updated: 9/4/2024 7:20:59 AM
  • Last Updated By: billiardsforum (Billiards Forum)