Thursday, February 03, 2005
Because You Knew I'd Say Something
The sheet of “rules” in the basement says nothing about whether a jump shot is legal or not, but there’s plenty of info on the web.
According to the World Standardized Rules (as determined by Billiard Congress of America [BCA] and World Pool-Billiard Association [WPA]) applying to bumper pool:
Their seventh rule says the penalty is governed by the “House Rule” (which we clearly don’t have). The interpretation at billiardworld.com states the exact same rule, but their seventh rule says:
I don’t know how you interpret that penalty, but as far as what is actually considered a “jump shot,” the site devoted to frequently asked questions sheds light on the jump shot in question #3 [You may also want to take a look at #5, the “push shot,” which is also something we’ve seen players use before without penalty]. When asked, “How do I hit a jump shot?”:
Hmmm . . . but the BCA web site’s rules say:
So, the definition, as defined by cuecare.com:
My only conclusion is that for “jump shots” to be considered legal in any game of bumper pool (which is still debatable), the shot can only be hit with the tip of your cue. If any other part of the player’s cue touches the ball (even by accident), it’s a foul.
The short story is that if you want to try a jump shot and fail that simple standard, the opponent gets to drop two balls in.
According to the World Standardized Rules (as determined by Billiard Congress of America [BCA] and World Pool-Billiard Association [WPA]) applying to bumper pool:
“No player is allowed to jump his ball over balls or bumpers in making shots. Penalty for this will be same as in Rule Seven.”
Their seventh rule says the penalty is governed by the “House Rule” (which we clearly don’t have). The interpretation at billiardworld.com states the exact same rule, but their seventh rule says:
“If a player sinks one of his opponent's balls there is no penalty, but if he sinks one of his own balls into his opponent's cup, or shoots one of his opponent's balls, his opponent may then drop two of his own balls into his cup.”
I don’t know how you interpret that penalty, but as far as what is actually considered a “jump shot,” the site devoted to frequently asked questions sheds light on the jump shot in question #3 [You may also want to take a look at #5, the “push shot,” which is also something we’ve seen players use before without penalty]. When asked, “How do I hit a jump shot?”:
“Rule 3.24 says it is illegal to "dig under" the ball to get it to jump . . .”
Hmmm . . . but the BCA web site’s rules say:
“3.26 ILLEGAL JUMPING OF BALL
It is a foul if a player strikes the cue ball below center (“digs under” or “lofts” the cue ball) and intentionally causes it to rise off the bed of the table in an effort to clear an obstructing ball. Such jumping action may occasionally occur accidentally, and such “jumps” are not to be considered fouls on their face; they may still be ruled foul strokes, if for example, the ferrule or cue shaft makes contact with the cue ball in the course of the shot.
3.27 JUMP SHOTS
Unless otherwise stated in rules for a specific game it is legal to cause the cue ball to rise off the bed of the table by elevating the cue stick on the shot, and forcing the cue ball to rebound from the bed of the table. Any miscue when executing a jump shot is a foul.”
So, the definition, as defined by cuecare.com:
“JUMP SHOT: A shot in which the cue ball or object ball is caused to rise (jump) off the bed of the table. (If this is caused by a player elevating the butt and striking down on the ball, generally the shot is legal. If, however, the player digs under the ball, causing it to jump, the shot is a foul.)”
My only conclusion is that for “jump shots” to be considered legal in any game of bumper pool (which is still debatable), the shot can only be hit with the tip of your cue. If any other part of the player’s cue touches the ball (even by accident), it’s a foul.
The short story is that if you want to try a jump shot and fail that simple standard, the opponent gets to drop two balls in.
