Pocketing the 8-ball on an open table

 Always 10-0. Yes always


    As with most rules, someone will try to argue against the situation. Nobody wants to get a 10-0 against them. They broke and made 2 solids. On their opening shot, made another solid, but in the process, the 8-ball is kicked into a pocket. They will argue that since they made a solid, they are solids. Therefore they get 3 points. Unfortunately for them, this is not the case. This happens probably at least once or twice per tournament. Let's dig in...

Let's look at the VNEA rule:

C. OPEN TABLE

The table is “open” when the choice of groups (stripes or solids) has not yet been determined. When the table is open, it is legal to hit a solid first to make a stripe or vice versa. Note: The table is always open immediately after the break shot. When the table is open it is legal to hit any solid or stripe or the 8-ball first in the process of pocketing the called stripe or solid. On an open table, all pocketed balls remain pocketed. The choice of stripes or solids is not determined on the break even if balls are made from only one or both groups. THE TABLE IS ALWAYS OPEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BREAK SHOT. The choice of group is determined only when a player legally pockets a called object ball after the break shot.


    You have to legally pocket your intended ball in order to establish the table. If you make your shot and also foul, you didn't make a legal shot. The table is still open. By kicking in the 8-ball, you committed a foul. If you make your first ball to establish, and also scratch, the table is still open. This is the same principal. You shot, you fouled, you didn't establish. The same rule applies for when the table is open and the 8-ball is jumped or knocked off the table.

Reading further in the rule book, there is a section describing loss of game fouls. Rule F.1, and F.3 apply here. 

F. LOSS OF GAME

1. Pocketing the 8-ball when it is not the legal object ball except on an opening break.

2. Pocketing the 8-ball on the same stroke as the last of his group of balls.

3. Jumping or knocking the 8-ball off the table at any time.

4. Pocketing the 8-ball in a pocket other than the one designated.

5. Fouling while (pocketing) the 8-ball in the designated pocket.

6. Third infraction of the slow play rule.

7. Pocketing the 8-ball and the cue ball on the break stroke. (This varies, if your league considers an 8-ball break a win.)

8. Not correctly marking the pocket while pocketing the 8-ball.


Just remember, anytime the game ends on an open table. The score is always 10-0. Yes always...

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