Expert: Bill Newsted - 11/1/2009

Question
Are there any published rules in eight ball that mandate that the shooter must call all caroms that the object ball has prior to falling in the called pocket? I play with several people who insist that "call shot" rules dictate that you call all caroms.  I know this is not true for BCA, WPA, or APA.  Where does such a rule come from?

Answer
Hi Tom,

I'm really going to enjoy answering these questions.

Answer #1: No, there are no sanctioned or regularly published sets of rules that require a player to call kisses, caroms, banks, etc. You call the ball and the pocket - that's all. That simple. Of course you need to get a good hit too.

Answer #2: This type of imagined rule comes from two places. Losing players trying to find fault with an otherwise legal shot and people who learned to play from losing players who like to find fault with perfectly legal shots.

Kidding aside, a lot of rules get imagined in bars. They can become the standard method of play in cloistered bars and pool rooms where the players don't "get out much".

Best advice? If you gamble, never do so with anybody who declares this kind of ruling. You can't tell what else they might think and I've seen these situations get real ugly at times. If you want to play for fun with this kind of players learn as many of their imagined rules as you can and play by them. But don't take it seriously - it can upset your stomach.

Play well and enjoy,

Bill

PS In my experience it won't help to ask them to produce a set of rules to support their claims. It will only make them like you less and cut you out of the game.