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: 7/18/2008 Subject: scratch
Question Newbie here.
Is there an official name of the game where one player has the solids, and the other player has the stripes, and the 8-ball can be made only after all your balls --- striped or solids --- are pocketed?
Also, if I have the solids, for example, and I scratch the cue into a pocket, and on the same shot, I inadvertantly sink one of my opponenets balls (a stripe), do we take out that striped ball as well as one of my solids? Or does his ball get to stay in?
Please forgive the lame-o question, guys!
Thanks!
Answer Hi John,
Sure. The game is officially called 8-ball in the Americas. In England they play a game that is almost identical with certain modified rules and they call it "Balck Ball". The game is sometimes just called "solids and stripes" but 8-ball is the official name.
Generally in 8-ball "all down stay down" so no, you would not spot your opponents ball. And, because you scratched, he/she gets ball in hand anywhere on the table.
You can download copies of the rules for various games. The two most commonly used sets are from the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and the American Pool Players Association (APA). The BCA set is what professional play is guided buy and the APA set governs play in APA league play.
