callshot

Callshot, or call-shot, is a rule used in some cue sports, primarily pool/billiards, that requires a player to declare the specific ball they intend to pot and the pocket it will go into before executing the shot. The call is meant to remove ambiguity when several balls could be potted along similar lines or when the table is crowded with targets.

In games that use call-shot rules, a legal result typically depends on the called ball entering the declared pocket on the shot. If the called ball goes in as declared (and no fouls occur), the shot is considered successful and the player’s turn continues with the same or subsequent calls. If the called ball does not enter the declared pocket, or if a different ball is potted, the shot is usually treated as a miss or foul, and the opponent may gain control of the table, depending on the specific ruleset. Variants differ on details such as whether the shooter must call every shot, how fouls are penalized, and whether ball-in-hand or other penalties apply.

The call-shot rule is most often associated with certain amateur and bar-room pool variants and with specific league or regional rule sets. In other contexts, such as some professional formats, players may rely on “slop” rules (pots count regardless of call) or may not require calls for every shot. Overall, the precise requirements and penalties of a call-shot rule vary by game type and governing body.