where to position the balls at the beginning of a pool game?

[didu]

hi all,

i have a really newbie question: when you play the 8 ball game (15 balls with the number 8 black ball, solid vs. stripes), where do you position the initial balls? I know the "D" is for the cue ball, a friend of mine says the initial balls should be placed such that the 8 ball is on top of the second dot from the opposite end of the "D", but I always remembed putting the top of the triangle at the second dot from the opposite end of the "D", which placement is right?

-D

[RaNeN]

I am not sure but I think he is correct.
Also there is no D for pool. There is just the Baulk Line.

[didu]

Thanks for replying. There is a "D" shaped line on my table, it's probably for snooker then. So, when you get a scratch, where are the positions you are allowed to reposition the cue ball?

[elvaago]

Depends. In 8 ball, behind the line. In 9 ball, anywhere on the table. I don't know other games off the top of my head.

[Welshsteve]

There is a D in english pool, which probably explains why there is a D on your table. Most pub pool tables in the UK have a D

[taylor]

Depends what rules you are playing.

There's no D in World Rules or Old EPA (there was in really old EPA from about 20 years ago). I dont think thes one in Blackball rules, but I think there was in BAPTO/EUKPF which only changed recently.

But as your talking spots and stripes, could you be playing American 8 ball?

As all uk versions are reds and yellows

[craigslater]

I always put the white in the same place when breaking 3/4 of the way from the left side half way between the baulk line and the cushion, i find that i always get the best break from there so i put the cueball there every time.

Alos with plenty of backspin, what spin (if any) does anyone put into the cueball aswel?

[Nugget]

For any game breaking with power (9 ball, 8 ball etc) I would hit the cue ball above centre, as the idea is to get the white in the middle of the table to leave yourself with the most options.
Breaking hard in this way, and hitting the apex ball full, the white will rebound back from the pack - as it has a greater resistance than hitting a single ball, and the top spin should stop the white mid table.
Just don't overdo it though, as too much top will take pace off the break, and result in a more awkwardly placed cue ball!