Definition: “Calling” is the rule in games where players announce the pockets where they plan to sink balls, letting an opponent or referee know their intentions beforehand. For example, “3-ball in the side pocket” is a call (announcement) of ball and intended target pocket.
Modern rules do not force the player to call “obvious” shots, that is, balls very close to the pocket, straight onto a pocket, etc. And, even without this “call shot” rule, arrogant players are happy to announce to everyone within earshot where they are about to shoot the winning next ball!
Examples:
Several times, players have lost tournaments remaining silent when they should have announced a call shot.
