What is a Scratch in Pool? Billiards Scratch Rules Explained

By: Emily Breakston 9 Aug 2023

You take a shot, and oops, the cue ball is headed right towards a pocket!

It can be pretty disappointing. Now, after this happens, your opponent gets a chance to put the ball wherever they want on the table. But, there are some rules about where they can place it. Can they put it anywhere? Well, not quite. There are specific spots they have to choose from. Can they put it behind a certain line on the table? Can they put it on the side where the cue ball went into a pocket?

What exactly is a “scratch” in the game of pool? And what happens if you “scratch” in pool? Let’s dive into all of this!

There are various types of scratches, and they come with their own set of rules. Whether it’s scratching during the break or accidentally scratching while aiming for the 8 ball, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s get into the details and explain what exactly a scratch means in the world of pool.

Definition of a Scratch in Pool

Okay, imagine you’re playing pool, the cool game with sticks and balls on a table. Sometimes, when you hit the ball called the “cue ball,” it might go off the table or fall into a pocket. When this happens, it’s called a “scratch.”

Most of the time, scratching is like making a little mistake in the game. The other player gets a chance to put the ball wherever they want on the table. But, there’s this special rule for the last ball, the “8 ball.” If both the cue ball and the 8 ball go off the table or fall into a pocket during a certain shot, the other player wins the whole game! It’s like a secret rule to be extra careful.

Even if you’re trying to hit other balls and you accidentally put the cue ball in a pocket, it’s still a scratch. The other balls you put in the pockets stay there, but the cue ball goes back on the table, like a do-over.

Oh, and if the pockets are already full of balls and the cue ball touches one of those balls, guess what? Yup, it’s another scratch! This is because if the pocket was empty, the cue ball would’ve gone in. So, be careful around those full pockets!

Remember, scratches are like little missteps in pool. They give the other player a chance to take control. So, keep practicing your shots and aiming carefully to avoid those tricky scratches!

Definition of a Table Scratch in Pool

Ever heard of a table scratch? It’s not about leaving spaghetti sauce on the table, don’t worry. It’s actually a term that pool players use to talk about some common rule-breaking moves. A table scratch happens when a player messes up without pocketing or sending the cue ball flying off the table. When this happens, the other player gets a cool advantage – they get to put the cue ball wherever they want on the table. Let’s dive into the different fouls that can make this happen!

Failure to Hit an Object Ball

Imagine aiming for a ball but missing it completely with the cue ball. It’s like swinging at a baseball and missing it – not cool! Even if the cue ball bounces off the sides like a pinball, it’s still a no-no if it doesn’t touch any of the object balls.

Failure to Pocket or Contact Cushion

Okay, so you hit the object ball with the cue ball, but then the object ball just stands there, not moving to a pocket or a cushion. It’s like hitting a soccer ball and then watching it stop without going in the goal or bouncing back into play. That’s a table scratch too! To play by the rules, the object ball needs to find a pocket or a cushion after the hit.

It’s like a reminder for players to play by the rules and keep the game exciting. Remember, no spaghetti sauce involved!

Rules for Scratch Fouls

Different people play pool differently, especially when it comes to scratch fouls – that’s when the cue ball accidentally goes into a pocket. Imagine two groups of players at tables next to each other. They might be following different rules for scratch fouls! So, it’s a good idea to decide on the same rules before the game starts. This way, everyone knows what to expect.

Here are some common rules that lots of people use, whether they’re playing in fancy tournaments, local bars, cool pool halls, or just hanging out in game rooms.

Break Scratch

When a player accidentally scratches the cue ball while trying to break, there’s a standard consequence. The other player gets to place the cue ball behind the head string and then take their shot. Any balls that were potted during the break stay in the pockets, and the game continues with no specific type of ball being chosen.

In certain casual settings, scratching on a break can mean an instant loss, but this rule isn’t widely followed in professional pool or most common informal games. So don’t worry too much – just focus on improving your break technique!

Game Scratch

When a player accidentally puts the cue ball into a pocket, there are two main things that can happen because of that mistake. Let’s take a look at them:

Ball-in-Hand: This means the other player, who didn’t scratch, gets to put the cue ball anywhere on the table they want. They then take their shot from there. This rule helps keep things fair and prevents players from purposefully messing up the game by scratching.
From the Kitchen: If the player scratches, the opponent gets a special spot to shoot from. This spot is called “in the kitchen” or “from the kitchen.” It’s a specific area behind a line called the head string, which you can find in the middle of the table at the top. This is to make sure the player doesn’t get an advantage from scratching.

In this special area, the player can only aim at balls that are close to the head string or on the other side of it. If there are no balls on the other side, the player needs to make the cue ball bounce off the sides of the table before it can hit any balls in the kitchen.

Now, here’s a fun fact: in big professional tournaments, the rules about how to deal with scratches might be a bit different.

Oh, and there’s one more rule you might want to know about. Sometimes, if the cue ball goes into a pocket at the side of the table, the other player can choose where to place the ball. But remember, this rule isn’t used in important professional tournaments.

8-Ball Scratch Rules

In most types of 8-ball pool games, making a scratch is like committing a foul. This happens when you accidentally hit the cue ball into a pocket while trying to hit the regular balls, not just the 8-ball. If you scratch while trying to hit any balls except the special 8 ball, it’s a foul. And if you scratch while hitting the 8 ball, the game ends, and you lose. But there’s a catch: you only lose if the 8 ball is still in the game.

Imagine this: if you hit the 8 ball and the ball you hit with your stick into a pocket at the same time, you lose the game. It’s like a double mistake! But, if you only hit the cue ball into a pocket and the 8 ball stays on the table, it’s like a small mistake, and the game goes on.

Oh no, what if the 8 ball decides to take a leap off the table? Well, if you accidentally knock the 8 ball off the table, you lose the game. And if you accidentally knock the cue ball off the table when trying to hit the 8 ball, it’s a little mistake, and the game continues.

Now, here’s a twist: some rules say that scratching while trying to hit the 8 ball means you lose no matter what. But most serious players and professional tournaments don’t follow this rule.

Table Scratch Rules

Table scratches don’t happen a lot in most places, and they’re kind of like regular pocketed cue ball scratches. So, depending on the rules of the game you’re playing, there are two main things that can happen after a table scratch.

After a table scratch, you have two options:

Put the ball anywhere behind the head string.
Put the ball anywhere on the table.

Remember, it’s important that the rules for both table scratches and pocket scratches are the same. This helps make sure the game is fair and everyone knows what to do if a player makes a mistake. It’s like having a set plan so there’s no confusion when someone messes up.

Scratch Rules: How do the Pros Play?

Various tournaments and leagues around the world have different rules. In North America, both professional and amateur players usually follow these common examples.

Break Scratch: If a player scratches during the break in pool, any balls they managed to pocket will stay in the pockets. The player who scratched loses their turn, and the other player gets to take a shot from anywhere behind a certain line on the table. The table stays open, which means the player can aim at any ball (except the 8 ball) that’s on the opposite side of that line.
Gameplay Scratch: If you accidentally put the cue ball in your pocket or make it go off the table, it’s called a scratch. Another way to get a scratch is if the cue ball touches a ball that’s already in a pocket. When this happens, you lose your turn, and the other player can put the cue ball anywhere on the table and take a shot.
Table Scratch: If a player doesn’t hit any of the colored balls with the white ball, it’s called a table scratch. The same thing happens if a colored ball doesn’t hit the sides of the table or go into a pocket. The white ball has to touch a colored ball, and the colored ball needs to touch the sides or go into a pocket. When a player makes a table scratch, the other player gets to start their turn with the white ball from anywhere on the table.
8 Ball Scratch: If a player makes a mistake while trying to hit the 8 ball into a pocket and misses, it’s called a foul. The other player then gets a turn and can place the ball anywhere on the table. But, if a player accidentally scratches the cue ball and at the same time makes the 8 ball go into a pocket or sends it off the table, they lose the game. The other player becomes the winner.

Conclusion

In pool games, there are different ways you can hit the ball, which is called “scratching.” Each method has its own rules and punishments. As mentioned at the start of this article, it’s a good idea to talk about the rules with your opponent before starting the game. This helps ensure that everyone knows and agrees on how to play.

Since not everyone follows the exact same rules, talking it out before playing can prevent problems later on. I hope this article provided useful information. Thank you for reading!