AboutBill Newsted Expertise I can answer questions related to shot-making, aiming, position play, strategies, practice, mental preparation and the psychology of the game. Also, rules as they vary from venue to venue and how to become a winning player. I have experience recovering and maintaining tables and will also answer questions related to cues and billiard equipment. However, I prefer not to make brand recommendations.
Experience I have played for forty years in every state in the US (except Alaska).My experience is largely in pool rooms but I have also played extensively on bar tables and in league organizations. I have directed numerous tournaments up to the professional level and have played several world champion players. I am a former Billiard Congress of America instructor.
Organizations APA
BCA
Education/Credentials B.S. in Visual Communication
M.A. in Education: Career and Technology Education
Expert: Bill Newsted Date: 7/12/2008 Subject: APA rules and etiquette
Question Is removing a ball from the pocket in preparation for the rack, during your opponent's presumed final, winning shot,of significance enough for forfeiture of the game? Likewise, is "breaking" ones cue or laying the cue on the table prior to an opponent's presumed winning shot of significance to forfeit the game?
Will
Answer Generally pool etiquette is, "if it's not your turn to shoot, you shouldn't be at the table". You shouldn't be doing anything other than waiting for your opponent to finish his/her turn. Doing otherwise will often result in substantial controversy.
The basic APA manual isn't specific about either of the items you mention. But I can say in my forty plus years of play any time a player breaks down his stick it's a concession - game over. Anytime a player takes a ball out of a pocket he's preparing to rack and, apparently, has conceded the game. Anytime anybody has ever done either of those things while I'm shooting I just lay my stick on the table. I can't tell you here what I say if they ask me why but it starts with, "get the f--k away from the table while I'm playing and goes downhill from there. It's a cheap sharking technique and I won't put up with it.
In APA tournaments and qualifiers I've seen a player lose a game for taking apart just his break cue in a hill to hill situation. Obviously there was no more need for the break cue so he took it apart. A tournament director was called and it was ruled a loss of game.
Like I said though, if it's not your turn to play you shouldn't be doing anything but watching; otherwise your intentionally looking for trouble, and you often find it.
