Ball In Hand "Is it Live" - Rule of the Week

August 4, 2025 4:57 PM

Ball In Hand "Is it Live" - Rule of the Week

August 4, 2025 4:57 PM

Situation: During a Ball-In-Hand (BIH) I picked up the cue ball and dropped it into the pocket, is it now BIH for my opponent?

No, only BIH scenarios described in the Official Team Manual (OTM) result in BIH fouls. The belief the cue ball is live is not a true statement. Yes if you touch another ball that is already on the table while holding the cue ball this would be BIH. However, dropping it on the floor or in the pocket or even the playing surface isn’t a foul unless it meets one of the documented cases in the OTM section 15 Fouls.

To add that a cue ball isn’t live is this OTM statement:

Even after having addressed the cue ball a player may, if not satisfied with the placement, make further adjustments with their hand, cue stick or any other reasonable piece of equipment.

In 9-ball when your opponent makes the 9-ball and scratches at the same time, if you pick up both the 9-ball and cue ball to place back on the table at the same time this is not a foul. Not until the 9-ball has been placed and released is it subject to rule 15k in this scenario.

NOTE: A foul that is not called when it occurs cannot be called once the next shot has been taken.

Rule: Official Team Manual (OTM) page 53-55 section 15 “Fouls”: https://media.poolplayers.com/TMRB/Team-Manual-English.pdf

This section also covers:

All other BIH scenarios
Scratching on the break
Doubles, 8-ball and 9-ball specific cases

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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