Back Pocket 9-ball questions

[NH Steve]

I've started to play a little of this with some of the local young 9-ball players that aren't quite up for One Pocket yet :)

Can somebody help out with the rules?
I've seen a couple of the Accustats tapes but, for example, wasn't sure if the 'call shot' rules were just for the tournament, or if that's the way it is normally played...

Play is like normal 9-Ball unless otherwise noted.

Breaker selects their pocket prior to break (one of the head pockets at the opposite end from the rack!) Object of the game is to run the balls in rotation down to the nine and then make the nine in your own pocket for the win.

If the 9-ball goes in your own pocket on the break you win, if it goes in any other pocket you shoot again, but the nine gets spotted.

You must call either a shot or a safety; if you call a shot and miss, your opponent has choice of shooting or making you shoot from there. If you call a safety and make a ball, your opponent shoots anyway. (<-- or is that just Grady's tournament rule?)

If you make the nine on a kiss or combo in your own pocket at any time you win (as long as you hit the low numbered ball first, of course!).

If you make the nine in your opponent's pocket at any time, they win -- (unless you make a legal hit on the lowest numbered ball on the table first, and you pocket scratch or jump the table like One Pocket -- in which case it goes on the spot?)

A scratch on the nine is loss of game. (Geez, why not need two from there :) )

Ball in hand anywhere on the table after all scratches or fouls.

[BackPocket9Ball]

Back Pocket 9-ball is a big game in the Philadelphia/South Jersey area. Pete Fusco and Joe Veasey came up with the game in the '70s. It's kind of a gimmick game in that it's basically a way for a one pocket player to hustle a guy who only plays 9-ball and is clueless about moving.

1) The call-shot rule was just for Grady's tournament. I think those are the same rules that Grady used in the 9-ball senior tournaments he has held in the past.

2) Some people play that the 9-ball counts on the break, some don't.

3) A scratch on the 9-ball is NOT loss of game; it is ball-in-hand. For example, if you scratch and the 9-ball is hanging too deep in your pocket to be knocked out, you can still win the game. And also, if you scratch, but the 9-ball is on an opposing rail, your opponent needs to bank it to his hole to win.

4) If you make the 9-ball in your opponent's pocket, it's a loss of game, period.

5) If you fail to hit the lowest numbered ball on the table and the 9-ball moves, opponent has the option to leave it where it is or move it back to where it was. However, if you DO hit the lowest numbered ball on the table first but subsequently scratch and the 9-ball moves, your opponent does NOT have the option to move it back. This rule seems strange, but it exists because if you're down to the 9-ball, the 9-ball is the lowest numbered ball on the table. And if you hit it and then scratch, it stays where it lies -- your opponent can't move it back.