Rule of the Week - Cue Ball Placement for the Break

March 25, 2024 11:26 PM

by San Diego APA

Rule of the Week - Cue Ball Placement for the Break

March 25, 2024 11:26 PM

by San Diego APA

Situation: Can I place the cue ball anywhere for my Break?

No, a player must break from behind the head string for the break to be considered legal. The cue ball's point of contact with the table is used to determine if it is behind the head string, also referred to as being in. To make this determination simply compare the head string, an imaginary line connecting the two diamonds that are second from the head rail (see Table Diagram, pg. 86), to the cue ball's point of contact. A ball that is dead-center on the head string is considered out, or not behind the head string.

The same is true if a scratch on a legal break occurs (see page 46 section f of the OTM).

Rule: Official Team Manual (OTM) page 45 “Breaking”: https://media.poolplayers.com/TMRB/Team-Manual-English.pdf

This section also covers:
  • Legal contact with the rack based on format
  • Legal and illegal break, what happens
  • Previous post: https://league.poolplayers.com/sandiego/post/34026

You can submit a "Rule of the Week" to the league office:

  • Email to sandiego@apaleagues.com.
  • Email Subject Line must read “SDAPA Rule of the Week”
  • Clearly state the rule/situation and if you know where the answer is found please provide those details.

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