ScratchBall Billiards

This article is about ScratchBall, a pocket billiards (pool) game.
ScratchBall is a pocket billiards (pool) game that can be played with standard billiard balls (a , an (which becomes the dead ball) and the fourteen numbered balls (that become counter balls)) played on a billiard table with six pockets. Regulation ScratchBall balls consist of 14 balls of the same color (which are the counter balls) one ball of a different color (designated as the dead ball) and the . There are several variations of the game. Any number of players can play but 2 or 3 are optimal.

Billiard Congress of America (BCA) General Rules of Pool apply to ScratchBall with one exception; a scratch is not considered a foul.

History
The game of ScratchBall was started by the three Fenske brothers, out of Oregon. While this is a newer billiards game, it has a fresh approach. The brothers proceeded to patent and trademark the game. Because players attempt to sink two balls at the same time (the cue ball with a counter ball), they claim that the challenge tends to increase skill levels. Anyone can play the game but sales of regulation ScratchBall balls are restricted to those who are legally licensed to do so.

Object of the game
The object of the game is to score points by sinking a counter ball or the dead ball with the and scratch on the same shot. After the scratch, the cue ball is reset anywhere on the table and that player continues shooting. If you fail to scratch, it is the incoming players turn. The highest score at the end of the game is the winner. (See below for restrictions and exceptions.)

Terms
Scratch: Sink the cue ball into a table pocket. Unlike 8-ball rules, a scratch is not considered a foul.
Dead Ball: The off-color ball with regulation balls or the with a standard set of pool balls.
Counter ball: All balls except the cue ball and the dead ball.
Object ball: The ball you plan to sink.
Call Shot: Announcing the table pocket where you plan to sink the object ball.
Reset shot: The shot following a scratch.
Foul: Failure to hit a ball, any ball jumping off the table or sinking the in a pocket without hitting another ball.
Stalemate: After 3 sudden deaths and the score is still tied.
Sudden Death: End game to break a tie.

Scoring
Sink cue ball + dead ball = 10 pts
Sink cue ball + counter ball = 5 pts
Sink counter ball + no scratch = 1 pt + end your turn
Sink dead ball + no scratch = 0 pts + end your turn
Foul = subtract 5 pts + end your turn.

Basic Rules
The Rack
Rack the balls with the standard triangular-shaped rack that is used in 8-ball. Place the dead ball in the center of the rack. The apex ball in the rack is placed on the with the back of the rack facing the .

The Break
First break goes to the winner of a or by a coin flip.
To break the rack the is shot from behind the .
To continue your turn, you must on the break.
First break has the advantage.
Lowest score breaks on the next game.

Turns
You must hit a counter ball or the dead ball and sink the cue ball to continue your play. Failure to scratch ends your turn.
The counter ball does not need to go into a pocket to continue your turn.
On the reset shot, the object ball cannot be the dead ball. If the cue ball touches the dead ball or the dead ball goes into a pocket on the reset shot, that forfeits your turn.
The cue ball can follow any ball into a pocket except on a reset shot. On the reset shot, if the cue ball goes in the same pocket as a counter ball then your turn is over.
Committing a foul ends your turn.

The Reset Shot
The reset shot is the shot that follows a scratch. After a scratch, the player can reset the anywhere on the table.
Remember that, on a reset shot, if the cue ball goes into the same hole as a counter ball, you lose your turn and points for that shot.
Also remember that if you sink the dead ball on the reset shot, you will lose your turn and all points from that shot.

Sudden Death
When players are tied in points at the end of a game, the tie can be broken with a game of sudden death.
With sudden death, the table is reset with only the dead ball and the cue ball.
Set the dead ball on the .
Shoot with the cue ball from behind the .
Reset table for each player.
If there is still a tie after each player has shot, play another sudden death.
Play sudden deaths 3 times and the game is a stalemate.

Professional Rules

Professional rules vary from the basic rules in that there have stricter dead ball regulations. There is a greater level of difficulty and skill needed.
The dead ball must be a call shot. It cannot be sunk by accident. If the dead ball is sunk by accident, you lose your turn and receive 0 points for the shot.
Reset the dead ball on the each time it is sunk.
The dead ball will become the last ball to sink.
When there is either a cue ball or the dead ball alone on the table that game is over.
Take turns for the first break on each successive game.
Scoring for each game is accumulative.
The winner is the highest score after 3 games.

Alternate Variations

Game 1 (Basic Game): Reset the dead ball on the foot spot each time it goes into a pocket. The dead ball or cue ball will become the last ball to sink. The game ends when either the cue or dead ball is alone on the table. This is the preferred variation for many players.
Game 2: The dead ball stays down and is not reset after it is sunk the first time.
Game 3: Treat the dead ball the same as a counter.
Game 4: Play without keeping score. This is good for practicing scratch shots.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu