UK 8 Ball
Topic: IPT Rule quiz

I know you have to break from within the box on the IPT and EPT but is it the same for the BPPPA 8 ball next week? Or can you break from the sides for that one?

On 2006-05-25 18:27 , cusack_147 Wrote:

Good question. This doesn't seem to be covered in the rules on www.bpppa.org. To take this question one step further does anyone want to have a go at listing all the differences between the rules to be played in Victoria (World Standardized 8 Ball?) and IPT rules?

Just spoke to 'Rule God Ted' and, though he hasn't studied IPT rules in any detail he believes the main differences to be as follows:

1. Break from anywhere behind the head string. Note that from this year the cue ball must be behind the head string and not on it for 8B, 9B & SP.

2. Jump cues and phenolic tips are allowed.

It's worth reading the latest IPT qualifiers article, quite interesting.

I'm a little surprised about the low number turn-outs at the events - I'm sure the UK's IPT North American Qualifier is going to be packed as it's one of only two in Europe.

I hope Switzerland is a low turn out too as we are sending our man Buzzin' Boyzi over there.


Good look Karl!

These are the main differences in IPT and WPA Rules

(IPT) Cue to be no shorter than 53" and no longer than 63"

(WPA) rules state no shorter than 40” and no maximum length
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(IPT) Leather cue tip

(WPA) allow Phenolic Tips
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(IPT) Front ball of rack must be the One Ball

(WPA) doesn´t specify
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(IPT) Break from box

(WPA) Break from anywhere behind the line
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(IPT) One ball must be the first ball struck on break

(WPA) doesn´t specify
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(IPT) At least one object ball is pocketed or b) at least five object balls contact a rail.

(WPA) four object balls must hit a rail if no ball is potted
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(IPT) If the 8 ball is pocketed on a legal break shot it is a win of game.

(WPA) 8 ball is re-spotted
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(IPT) Player also loses game by committing three consecutive fouls.

(WPA) No such rule
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(IPT) Coaching- players are allowed to have one "cornerman" for coaching and support.

(WPA) Forbidden
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(IPT) Players are required to call fouls on themselves when they know that they have committed a foul.

(WPA) Don’t say as they think that all players are gentlemen!!!
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(IPT) If a player is late for a scheduled match, the player forfeits the match. If both players are late, both will forfeit the match and it will count as a loss for both players.

(WPA) 15 minutes period of grace
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(IPT) Players are expected to be well groomed with regard to hair cuts, facial hair, and cleanliness.

(WPA) I think that they should also insist on this point.
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Malaguista BCA and ACS qualified National Referee

Thanks malaguista. There's a lot of differences there that I didn'ty know, particularly the 3 foul rule and potting the 8 off the break.

So what are the main differences from English 8ball to 8ball on the big tables then? Or is it the same rules?

On 2006-05-04 17:45 , malaguista Wrote:

It does not seem clear. The IPT rules are a variant of the standard US BCA Rules for 8 Ball, which just say you have to pocket "a" numbered ball, so pocketing one from the opponents set is OK:

4.11 LEGAL SHOT
(Defined) On all shots (except on the break and when the table is open), the shooter must hit one of his group of balls first and (1) pocket a numbered ball

I've posted this question on AZBilliards.com, I'd imagine someone there will know for sure how this rule is being intepreted. However I doubt this would come up too often, as even clipping the inside edge of the pocket with the opponents ball as it goes in would classify as hitting a rail. (At least under normal BCA rules.)

You only have to call your own object ball if you intend to pocket it and it is not obvious.If you hit your own ball first you can pocket an opoonent´s ball but you don´t have to nominate it.

So providing you hit your own ball first, you can pocket your opponents ball even if yours doesn't go in? And this isn't a foul.

Correct - it's just loss of turn.

As I have said before you can also pocket your opponent´s ball deliberately and give him ball in hand, Sometimes a good tactical move.

On 2006-06-01 12:59 , malaguista Wrote:
Just to be clear this would only be ball in hand if you failed to hit your own ball first or you failed to hit a rail.

On 2006-06-01 14:30 , Riggers Wrote:

OK, according to an IPT-qualified referee over on AZBilliards.com this is NOT a foul. The reason? Anytime a ball goes in a pocket it automatically counts as hitting a rail, regardless if the ball is your opponents or not.

Therefore this scenario is simply end of turn for the shooter.

Thanks AuntyDan. I must say I've never heard that explanation before and never seen that definition before i.e. entering a pocket = hitting a rail. Let's hope they update the rules.

On 2006-06-02 07:02 , Riggers Wrote:

I've been playing Pool in the USA for about 8 years now and that is also the first time I'd heard that too. I have to say the whole hitting a rail thing on ever shot takes some time to wrap your head around when you first start playing by American rules.

I did get into an argument with someone once who hit their ball so slowly that it rolled right into the mouth of the pocket without touching the sides but failed to drop. He tried to claim that just having the object ball cross the threshold of the pocket counted as hitting a rail. He lost that argument