Covered Pockets in World Rules Pool | Pool School

In this video we look at how to deal with covered pockets in world rules pool. World rules pool can often be very tactical and players may try to cover a pocket in order to stop their opponent from being able to pot a ball. This video looks at various tactics you can use to resolve the situation and turn things to your advantage.
The shots are carried out on a 7ft Supreme Winner UK 8 ball table.
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Elkmaster Pro Tips
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Super Aramith Pro Cup pool balls (with carry case)
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Balls without case
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Triangle ProChalk
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Snooker Table Iron
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#PoolSchool

[@jama211]

This is genius, definitely going to use this knowledge, thank you!

[@jjwasp1413]

This will be helpful

[@wakstar1]

Terrific video as always and your summary said it all. The issue I had to tonight is that I was playing a pocket coverer. I snookered him beautifully but then he played a purposeful foul, not foul snookering me but positioning me in a terrible position. So a shot of little skill and it benefits him.. There’s little benefit to the snooker shot in world rules as you don’t get ball in hand the player can just ‘refuse the attempt’ concede a foul that his opponent cannot benefit from. Against good league players it happens all the time. This is my third and last season of world rules. Next season it’s blackball league for me. 1 free shot and 1 visit is the way to go. None of this nominating nonsense. Pockets can be cleared with skill shots- which is another old old rule they’ve successfully brought back. It’s a clear progression of the game imo but I understand that perhaps Ultimate pool is err the ultimate/definitive rule set. Clearly it’s not epa due to touching up, not world rules due to the no move foul/purposeful foul frailties. For me, pool is Fast Eddie, Minnesota Fats and Cool hand Luke, it’s Alex Higgins and Jimmy white mosconi cup potting balls off the ceiling. (Seriously if you haven’t seen it you need to watch that video) Pool is not snooker it’s primarily a potting game and the rules should free it up to be the game in its purest form.

[@PoolSchool]

I completely agree, I would much rather play pure potting and attacking pool. However for some people you just don't have the choice. For example the local league where I play, plays world rules. If I didn't play in that league then I just wouldn't play, so I just have to accept it. The problem with World rules is you HAVE to be aware of the deliberate foul, covering pockets, roll up etc. and use them when necessary or you are handing your opponent a huge advantage. It can also be a harsh game for people like myself that just like to pot balls. I've lost count of how many games I've lost because I've gone for a clearance and then just come up short, and then been fraustrated for ages as my opponent, lays snookers, covers pockets etc. It would be hugely beneficial to all players if there was just one set of rules that everyone played (ideally ones that encouraged attacking play) but I think it will be an uphill struggle to get everyone playing the same thing across the board unfortunately.

[@wakstar1]

@@PoolSchool thank you so much for your considered reply. For me there is clear progress from epa to world to blackball. I’m lucky that in the Huddersfield league there is the choice and next season I need to play in the black ball league.

[@prafty]

Great video, as usual. IMO this is why Blackball rules are better. The blocked player needs to have something built into the rules to counter the blocked pocket - not something too easy, but something.

[@PoolSchool]

Cheers. It’s definitely why Blackball is a more attacking format.

[@internetenjoyer1044]

Blackball and Supreme rules have a problem with getting players to engage each other tho; games where both player hardly interact with each others shots but instead just win the frames where the break favours them bore me

[@prafty]

@@internetenjoyer1044 blocking a pocket in blackball still works, just not as well.

[@internetenjoyer1044]

@@prafty Would you say that international rules (which seem to have replaced world rule now) goes too far in making it too easy?

[@robertjamessmith8182]

Very helpful thank you

[@PoolSchool]

Cheers

[@unlimited7263]

you're elite

[@robertjamessmith8182]

That was good

[@andrewbyrne96]

Where the balls are at 5:48 - if I'm yellows, I would play a deliberate foul on the red in front of the yellow and ask the question. Yellows then become favourite Like your videos though, really informative and great to watch! It's nice to see someone covering world rules or even English pool on KZbin

[@PoolSchool]

Cheers, glad you like the videos. You could but it's a little risky. All the reds would be in the open and with two shots, a decent player would have a good chance at clearing them. Ok the bottom two pockets would be covered but they can still pot to both middle pockets. Depends very much on your opponent and their ability. I'd prefer not to give an opponent 2 shots unless I know they need at least one of them to manipulate a difficult ball.

[@andrewbyrne96]

@@PoolSchool Agreed, it just depends on how the player is playing on the day really. Sometimes you have to play the player and not the frame. If they don't seem confident in putting a long shot, leave them one instead of playing a total snooker. It varies on the situation and the match, conditions etc.

[@alessioleo9066]

Would love to give you a game sometime I’m from Bedford and have played for my local club

[@PoolSchool]

I can't wait to just play anyone to be fair! Not long to wait now hopefully.

[@simonashe8313]

great video is there any chance you can do a video on mapping

[@PoolSchool]

Mapping?

[@Mojotasticification]

@@PoolSchool I think he means planning a clearance.

[@stephenmclaughlin6296]

Interested in your cue of choice? Do you break with the same cue? Thanks

[@PoolSchool]

My cue is a 3/4 jointed "Taylor Made" cue, from a guy called Gary Taylor and yes I break with the same cue.

[@stephenmclaughlin6296]

@@PoolSchool Thanks very much, thought it would have been in your video descriptions, Love the content keep it up!

[@keworder]

We play World Pool Association rules where you can pot an opponent’s ball with no penalty as long as you hit one of your own balls first. Which world rules do you play?

[@PoolSchool]

The World Pool-Billiard Association rules (WPA) are usually referred to as Blackball rules. This allows for potting your opponents ball as long as you hit your own first. The World Eightball Pool Federation (WEPF) rules are usually referred to as World rules. The shot you refer to is not allowed in World rules. There are also other variations and rule sets and therefore, I agree, very confusing!! Too much use of the word "World"!

[@danielwilliams239]

People who play to cover do my head in!!

[@VINNIEJONES10]

In 8 ball you can move the white after any foul. If they had two problem clusters of balls would you still advise this? Also, is it considered unsporting to foul deliberately? In snooker it means a concession of frame.

[@jammy2858]

The world rules for pool are the worst set of rules.You can't move the white after a foul despite whether the foul was deliberately played or not( you can do deliberate fouls)which is unsporting.No free ball after a foul( unless its a foul snooker).

[@PoolSchool]

Sorry i don’t quite understand your first question? The deliberate foul is very much part of the game in world rules and you really should use it in certain situations. Some local pub players take offence as think it’s unsporting but in any competition it is quite common.

[@VINNIEJONES10]

@@PoolSchool would you advise a deliberate foul in the scenario of the opponent having 2 (sets) of balls safe in seperate locations? Sorry I wrote it as I was watching and forgot it wasn’t the only part of the video. Great video it was too!

[@tomchadwin3293]

I don't know if this is relevant in World Rules, but in our league, the other way to address this is to capitalize on a foul by your opponent, because that gives you two shots *and free table*. That means your first shot can pot your opponent's covering ball without penalty. Since you didn't cover that in this video, do I assume World Rules prevent this technique somehow? I like it as a rule, both because it gives a way out of blocked pockets, and also because it adds more reasons for safety and snookers to a game which can place too much emphasis on attack.

[@PoolSchool]

Yeah you can't do that in World rules, you can't pot an opponents ball (without it being a foul). The only exception is when you are left in a foul snooker (so not able to see both sides of one of at least one of your balls, after a foul has been played). In this instance you can then nominate any ball to be one of your own.

[@apestrong]

Teeeechnically, all 15 balls were on the table at the start so not locked into either colour yet ;)

[@PoolSchool]

Teeeechnically, you're absolutely right.....oops! I was just testing to see who was smart enough to notice?!!!

[@chrisliv83]

It’s ok to cover a pocket in response but if your opponent isn’t stupid they’ll just pot your ball and leave you yes with 2 shots, but still with the difficult ball that’s covered.

[@ian8745]

Love your videos but this one definitely reminded me why I'm glad I don't play worlds anymore 😂

[@PoolSchool]

Yeah I know a lot of my viewers play Blackball and understand peoples dislike for this aspect of world rules. Unfortuntely though, if like me you play in a league that follows world rules, it's a very common part of the game, and one you must understand in order to be able to compete tactically with an opponent. I still prefer to just pot all the balls and play aggressively, but I'd be niave to not be aware of this side of the game too.

[@ian8745]

@@PoolSchool no doubt anyone playing in a WR league will find this video very helpful.

[@TheJestinator]

@@ian8745 I'd just tell them to find another league!

[@jama211]

@@TheJestinator As an Australian player, worlds is the official national ruleset, and blackball is almost unheard of here. So, it's useful to me too!

[@jama211]

@@PoolSchool Thanks for this, as an Australian player, we play worlds nationally and blackball basically is unheard of, so these videos are very helpful to me! Thank you!

[@philpope9297]

isn't intentionally potting opponents ball at 7.02 a deliberate foul and forfeit of frame?

[@PoolSchool]

Not in world rules which is what is being covered in this video. It is in international rules.

[@umarsheikh025]

Isn't potting opponents ball purposely even if you hit your own ball first a deliberate foul ? I play Blackball rules and we say that's a deliberate foul; depending on the intention of shot

[@PoolSchool]

This is "World Rules" where it is ok to play a deliberate foul.

[@MikeRobbo33]

With this video you played a foul shot on purpose by potting their ball. I thought this was not allowed?

[@PoolSchool]

In “World rules”,which is what I’m covering here, the deliberate foul is a legal shot. In other rule sets like Blackball a deliberate foul is illegal.