An 8-ball pool game is played as a call shot which uses a cue ball and 15 other balls numbered from 1 to 15. One player should pocket the first group of balls called the solids, numbered from 1 to 7, and the opponent player targets the other set of balls called stripes numbered from 9 to 15.
The 8-ball is legally pocketed after all the object balls in your group have been successfully pocketed. As a result, the 8-ball is played last and any foul on the subsequent shots can lead to a loss.
Players are typically asked to make a call shot on the pool table, but they usually don’t have to indicate obvious balls unless the opponent asks.
Do you have to call the 8-ball in the pool? Yes, 8-ball rules state that all shots are Call Shots except for the break. However, some players take their shot without calling when the ball and pocket are obvious.
According to the rulebook, the shooter losses the game if they sink the black ball in the uncalled pocket. As a result, it is not always a scratch that can make the shooter lose the match when on the 8-ball shoot, but also if a player makes a false call shot or no call at all, they lose the game!
However, there is one assumption about the call shot rule, if the ball and the pocket are obvious, the player doesn’t have to make a call unless the opponent makes a request if they are not sure on the direction the shot is taking. For the 8-ball, the player must make a call shot, otherwise the player lose the match if the 8-ball goes in the wrong pocket.
All shots in the 8-ball pool game are called shots unless the shooter takes a break. All uncalled shots on 8-ball can cause the player to lose the game if the ball gets sunk in the wrong pocket.
Do you have to make contact with your ball in pool?
Yes, unless otherwise stated on the house rules where the game is played. According to official rules, players must contact the Cue Ball with their legal object ball.
Either the numbered targeted ball should get pocketed, or the object ball should get into contact with the cushion or any part of the rail. Otherwise, failing to meet one of the above requirements results in a scratch, and the opponent player gets ball in hand.
The contact rule states that a player can make the Cue Ball spring off the side cushion for a bank shot before it strikes any of the legal object balls instead of hitting the object ball directly. However, the cue ball must strike the object ball, and still, a player must meet the two requirements.
Once the player makes contact with an object ball, they can use it to make combination shots by using the contacted ball to drive in another ball. However, the cue ball should only contact a legal ball before contacting other balls on the table.
What happens if you call the wrong pocket on the 8-ball?
A wrong call on a black ball is considered a foul on the 8-ball in a pool game, causing the shooter to lose the game if the ball gets sunk in the wrong pocket. Even a white ball scratch on the 8-ball results in a loss as well.
Traditionally, an 8-ball shot is called once a player clears all their object balls on the table. When they reach the 8-ball shot, they have to make a call loud and clear before taking their shot for the opponent player to get all the details.
If the 8-ball goes into an uncalled pocket, it’s a slop foul and the shooter gets an automatic loss. The opponent player wins regardless of how many balls they have left on the table.
Do you have to hit the 8-ball first?
Yes, when you are on the 8-ball, you must hit it before contacting any other balls on the table. Otherwise, the shot is a scratch and the opponent gets ball in hand.
However, it ultimately depends on the situation. Once the shooter breaks the rack, the table is open, and the players are free to hit any ball first, including the 8-ball.
When the table is open, the ball-type to be played (either solids or stripes) has not been determined, giving the incoming player the option to shoot any object ball. In the process of pocketing, it’s perfectly legal for a player to use an 8-ball to pocket an object ball (stripes or solids) that is strategically positioned as long as no other object ball has been pocketed without a scratch.
However, once it’s clear which ball type each player is playing if a player hits an 8-ball first before their legal object ball, that’s a foul, and they must forfeit their turn with a penalty, or loss the game if they pocket the black ball on the process. If the black ball is still in play, the opponent player gets ball in hand.
Are you supposed to hit the 8-ball in pool?
Yes, but that applies when the 8-ball is the legal object ball on the table. The 8-ball is legal as an object ball in two situations: when the table is open and no object balls have been pocketed, or when the player has managed to pocket all their object balls. If the two requirements are met, a player can take a shot on the 8-ball.
If a player fails to contact the 8-ball when on the final ball, that’s a scratch and the incoming player earns ball in hand. If the cue ball goes in a pocket in the process, the guilty player loses the game.
If the table is open on the break, and no object ball has been pocketed, the incoming player can hit the 8-ball to drive in any strategically positioned ball. Note, hitting an 8-ball when it’s not a legal object ball is foul, and when it happens, the opponent player gets ball in hand, and if 8-ball goes in in the process, the shooter loses the game.
Call Shot on 8-Ball: Conclusion
All attempts in an 8-ball pool table are call shots, including final shots on the 8-ball. An uncalled shot on 8-ball results in an automatic loss because the blackball went into the wrong pocket.
For some players, it’s unnecessary to make a call when a shot is obvious, unless the opponent player asks for it.
Before gameplay legally determines which player takes solids or stripes, a player can hit any ball on the pool table as long as the table is open. As a result, that’s means a player can hit a black ball to drive another ball in.
For any shot to be legal, the cue ball must make contact with a legal object ball, and failure to do so results in a scratch. It’s not only about the contact, but the targeted ball should either get pocketed or touch the pool cushion for the shot to be completely legal.
Sinking the 8-ball is essential to winning, but any player in a pool game must be very cautious when taking shots on the black ball. Any foul on the 8-ball can cause you to immediately lose the game, depending on the rules the game is using.
House rules treat the 8-ball foul differently, so it is always good to go through it before the game starts. Either way, call your shots before taking them, especially on the 8-ball so that there is no debate about which pocket you were aiming for.