After The Break - Rule of the Week

October 20, 2025 5:22 PM

by San Diego APA

After The Break - Rule of the Week

October 20, 2025 5:22 PM

by San Diego APA


Situation: My opponent breaks dry, I then while shooting a solid miss but it knocks in a stripe, is the table still open?

No, from the Official Team Manual - NOTE: During an open table, a player can shoot a combination involving stripes and solids; the legally pocketed ball will determine their category of balls for the remainder of the game. The 8-ball may not be used as the first ball in a combination shot, as it is never neutral.

However, if balls from each category are pocketed (for example, two solids and one stripe), it is still an open table.

Rule: Official Team Manual (OTM) page 46-47 “After the Break”: https://media.poolplayers.com/TMRB/Team-Manual-English.pdf

This section also covers:
  • After the break 9-ball
  • What happens as it relates to the Head String
  • Push-outs in 9-ball

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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