Blackball world championships

[stejohn]

Much prefer Blackball to World Rules, the fact you can play a deliberate foul to gain an advantage is just wrong although it adds a tactical element to the game. Skill shot is a good addition also, although can be a little luck involved with this. Also agree Blackball is the better game to watch.

[grimreaper]

The rules you describe are the old fashioned pub rules every town or pub would play different made up rules. In the American game of pool no 2 shots any foul cue ball in hand except on the break because they use number balls you nominate the ball you are going to shoot at and the pocket you intend to sink the ball in these are just a few differences to World Rules 2 shot pool.

[stejohn]

Thanks grimreaper!

It seems to me that most pubs in NSW play different rules for 8 ball. No two shot, two shot, can't shoot back, can shoot back, can move the cue ball after a foul, must play from the D after sinking the cue ball, can play from the D or where the cue ball finishes after a foul, first foul on black loss of game, first foul on black loss of game only if no other balls on the table, etc, etc, etc.

One of the reasons why many pubs in NSW no longer have pool tables is to stop fights over the rules.

What are the main differences between the rules (in simple terms).

The main differences are with Blackball on a foul you can pick up white back to baulk and you can take a Free Ball.

2 balls have to come back passed the centre of the table after break shot

Skill shots are allowed, where if you pot your own ball you can then pot one of your opponents balls (before or after your ball has dropped as long as you hit your own ball first)

No 2 shot carry after foul

Deliberate foul = loss of frame

Maybe others i have missed but think these are the important ones.

[Kieran m]

Blackball rules are much simpler and largely speed up the game when the balls do not break well.

2 shots for a foul are replaced by a free shot followed by one visit. The use of deliberate fouls is not permitted. Rather than four balls hitting a cushion from the break two balls must pass the imaginary line between the middle pockets.

[grimreaper]

stejohn Blackball rules say that a skill shot as it is called is alright yet in reality it is still a deliberate foul as you have potted your opponents ball.

[billabong]

stejohn Blackball rules say that a skill shot as it is called is alright yet in reality it is still a deliberate foul as you have potted your opponents ball.

How can it be called a foul when it's allowed in the rules ?

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[Kieran m]

So this is how the arguments about the rules start...

I think a skill shot allows you to remove a ball which your opponent has tactically placed there, in order to allow you a chance of a finish.

[grimreaper]

To me its a foul its one rule in blackball that doesn't make sense you are not allowed to play the white ball straight on to your opponents ball because that is classed as a foul and you lose the game yet you can pot one of your balls and sink your opponents ball and that's perfectly fine. They have the cheek to allow this by calling it a skill shot when really there is know difference.

[billabong]

To me its a foul its one rule in blackball that doesn't make sense you are not allowed to play the white ball straight on to your opponents ball because that is classed as a foul and you lose the game yet you can pot one of your balls and sink your opponents ball and that's perfectly fine. They have the cheek to allow this by calling it a skill shot when really there is know difference.

It's been that way for a long time. It doesn't suddenly become a foul because you don't like the rule.

As long as you hit your ball with the white first, then it's a legal part of playing that ruleset.

[grimreaper]

I will respect your point view . Just out of curiosity who and when were blackball rules written.

[Kieran m]

http://www.ebapool.com/wpabbrules.pdf

[mythman69]

Thanks for the info!

I suppose that over time the better pool game/rules will win over the best players, money, advertisers, fans and TV viewers.

Evolution.

Think of billiards versus snooker.

[grimreaper]

Thanks for that Kieran thou it did not answer my question. Another question what possessed the people running Blackball to join the WPA.