In 8 ball can you bounce the cue ball off the 8 ball before striking object ball?

Answer 1

BCA pool rules state that you may play an object ball off of the 8 ball.

BCA (Billiard Congress of America) states that the 8 ball made on the break is not a win or loss. You have a choice of rerack or spotting the 8 ball back. Every place has their own rule about that and most " house" rules call it a win.

V.N.E.A., (Valley National 8-ball League Association), (although not the governing body, in the U.S., even though it's membership is over twice as large), considers an 8 ball made on the break a win, unless, in international competition. Then the rule is the same as the BCA.

ADD: This is a good answer. To expand a bit, the governing bodies of pool in Asia, North America, Australia and Europe have all AGREED on World Standard Rules. The governing body in North America is the BCA, so of course they use these rules.

As soon as you get into league play, generally any league is BASED on these rules, but adjustments, or concessions, are made because so many of the players lack the skills and/or interest to learn properly....so the league "adjusts" rules to alleviate arguments..and in many cases because at a given league night not ONE player will actually know how to distinguish a double hit, or have a good grasp of the real rules.

The above stated rule is one such concession, but because the break is comnsidered a "fluke" shot, you may not win or lose the game as a direct result in proper rules.

One other popular concession regards the double hit. Many leagues allow a double hit if there is a chalk width between the cue ball and the object ball, but the vast majority of the players will actually be making a double hit foul in this case.

Interesting point not known by many...A legal rack in 8 ball simply consists of the 8 in the middle, and "opposites" on the back corners.

Answer 2

This depends upon the rules in use.

Under APA and BCA rules, you must hit your ball type (stripe or solid) for first contact after these have been established.

Under some House Rules, the 8 ball remains neutral and can be struck first.

The 8 ball can be used for a part of a combo or kiss in all regular rules as long as the proper ball (solid or stripe) is struck first.

Answer 3

Yes it can.

Not an easy shot to make though :)

ADD: Again, technically correct, but not complete. At any time in the game you can "bounce" the cue ball of the 8 ball before striking object ball, but not if the 8 ball is the first ball struck by the cue ball. The cue ball MUST strike a legal ball first. (see the following for minor exception, only after break, and if table is open)

After the break, if the table is open, you may actually strike a solid first and make a stripe, and vice versa, but most games stipulate you may not strike the 8 first even in this case. Some games WILL allow you to strike the 8 first, but allow no points to be scored. The question refers to 8 ball, though, so this would not come into play.

Answer 4

Under conventional rules, yes, the eight ball is neutral and can be the first ball hit for a combination shot. It may always be used in the middle of a combination shot (which can't be done on your last ball of course).

However, many local rules in the US do not consider the 8 ball neutral - check the local rules before you make this shot.

Answer 5

Yes you can shoot backward or forwards , if you line -up correctly

Answer 6

no you would be disqualified if you did that you can however do it if it uses up all your balls and the last one you make in is the 8-ball.