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Rules & Regulations |
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| SECTION 3 - The Game |
| 1. Description |
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Snooker may be played by two or more players, either independently or as sides.
The game can be summarized as follows: |
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(a) |
Each player uses the same White cue-ball and there are twenty-one object balls -
fifteen Reds each valued 1, and six colors: Yellow valued 2, Green 3, Brown 4,
Blue 5, Pink 6 and Black 7. |
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(b) |
Scoring strokes in a player's turn are made by potting Reds and colors alternately
until all the Reds are off the table and then the colors in the ascending order of
their value. |
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(c) |
Points awarded for scoring strokes are added to the score of the striker. |
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(d) |
Penalty points from fouls and misses are added to the opponent's score. |
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(e) |
A tactic employed at any time during a frame is to leave the cue-ball behind a
ball not on such that it is snookered for the next player. If a player or side
is more points behind than are available from the balls left on the table, then
the laying of snookers in the hope of gaining points from fouls becomes most
important. |
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(f) |
The winner of a frame is the player or side
(i) making the highest score,
(ii) to whom the frame is conceded, or
(iii) to whom it is awarded under Section 3 Rule 14(c) or Section 4 Rule 2. |
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(g) |
The winner of a game is the player or side
(i) winning most, or the required number of frames
(ii) making the greatest total where aggregate points are relevant, or
(iii) to whom the game is awarded under Section 4 Rule 2. |
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(h) |
The winner of a match is the player or side winning most games or, aggregate
points are relevant, with the greatest total. |
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| 2. Position Of Balls |
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(a) |
At the start of each frame the cue-ball is In-hand and the object balls are
positioned on the table as follows:
(i) the Reds in the form of a tightly-packed equilateral triangle, with the Red at
the apex standing on the center line of the table, above the Pyramid Spot such that
it will be as close to the Pink as possible without touching it, and the base of the
triangle nearest to, and parallel with, the top cushion.
(ii) Yellow on the right-hand corner of the "D"
(iii) Green on the left-hand corner of the "D"
(iv) Brown on the Middle of the Baulk-line,
(v) Blue on the Center Spot,
(vi) Pink on the Pyramid Spot, and
(vii) Black on the Spot. |
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(b) |
After a frame has started, a ball in play may only be cleaned by the referee upon
reasonable request by the striker and
(i) the position of the ball, if not spotted, shall be marked by a suitable device
prior to the ball being lifted for cleaning,
(ii) the device used to mark the position of a ball being cleaned shall be regarded
as and acquire the value of the ball until such time as the ball has been cleaned
and replaced. If any player other than the striker should touch or disturb the
device, he shall be penalized as if he were the striker, without affecting the order
of play. The referee shall return the device or ball being cleaned to its position,
if necessary, to his satisfaction, even if it was picked up. |
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| 3. Mode Of Play |
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The players shall determine the order of play by lot or in any mutually agreed
manner. |
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(a) |
The order of play thus determined must remain unaltered throughout the frame,
except a player may be asked by the next player to play again after any foul. |
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(b) |
The player or side to strike first must alternate for each frame during a game. |
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(c) |
The first player plays from In-hand, the frame commencing when the cue-ball has
been placed on the table and contacted by the tip of the cue, either
(i) as a stroke is made, or
(ii) while addressing the cue-ball. |
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(d) |
For a stroke to be fair, none of the infringements described below in Rule 12,
Penalties, must occur. |
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(e) |
For the first stroke of each turn, until all Reds are off the table, Red or a free
ball nominated as a Red is the ball on, and the value or each Red and any free ball
nominated as a Red, potted in the same stroke, is scored. |
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(f) |
(i) If a Red, or a free ball nominated as a Red, is potted, the same player plays
the next stroke and the next ball on is a color of the striker's choice which, if
potted, is scored and the color is then spotted.
(ii) The break is continued by potting Reds and colors alternately until all the
Reds are off the table and, where applicable, a color has been played at following
the potting of the last Red.
(iii) The colors then become on in the ascending order of their value as per Section
3 Rule 1(a) and when next potted remain off the table, except as provided for in
Rule 4 below, and the striker plays the next stroke at the next color on. |
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(g) |
Reds are not replaced on the table once pocketed or forced off the table regardless
of the fact that a player may thus benefit from a foul. Exceptions to this concept
are provided for in Section 3 Rules 2(b)(ii), 9, 14(f), 14(h) and 15. |
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(h) |
If the striker fails to score or commits a foul, his turn ends and the next player
plays from where the cue-ball comes to rest, or from In-hand if the cue-ball is
off the table. |
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| 4. End Of Frame, Game Or Match |
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(a) |
When only the Black is left, the first score or foul ends the frame excepting only
if the following conditions both apply:
(i) the scores are then equal, and
(ii) aggregate scores are not relevant. |
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(b) |
When both conditions in (a) above apply
(i) the Black is spotted,
(ii) the players draw lots for choice of playing
(iii) the next player plays from In-hand, and
(iv) the next score or foul ends the frame. |
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(c) |
When aggregate scores determine the winner of a game or match, and the aggregate
scores are equal at the end of the last frame, the players in that frame shall
follow the procedure for a re-spotted Black set out in (b) above. |
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| 5. Playing From In-hand |
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To play from In-hand, the cue-ball must be struck from a position on or within
the lines of the "D", but it may be played in any direction. |
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(a) |
The referee will state, if asked, whether the cue-ball is properly placed (that
is, not outside the lines of the "D"). |
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(b) |
If the tip of the cue should touch the cue-ball while positioning it, and the
referee is satisfied that the striker was not attempting to play a stroke, then
the cue-ball is not in play. |
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| 6. Hitting Two Balls Simultaneously |
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Two balls, other than two Reds or a free ball and a ball on, must not be struck
simultaneously by the first impact of the cue-ball. |
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| 7. Spotting Colors |
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Any color pocketed or forced off the table shall be spotted before the next stroke
is made, until finally potted under Section 3 Rule 3(f). |
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(a) |
A player shall not be held responsible for any mistake by the referee in failing
to spot correctly any ball. |
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(b) |
If a color is spotted in error after being potted in ascending order as per Section
3 Rule 3(f)(iii), it shall be removed from the table without penalty when the error
is discovered and play shall continue. |
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(c) |
If a stroke is made with a ball or balls not correctly spotted, they will be
considered to be correctly spotted for subsequent strokes. Any color incorrectly
missing from the table will be spotted:
(i) without penalty when discovered if missing due to previous oversight,
(ii) subject to penalty if the striker player before the referee was able to effect
the spotting. |
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(d) |
If a color has to be spotted and its own spot is occupied, it shall be placed on
the highest value spot available. |
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(e) |
If there is more than one color to be spotted and their own spots are occupied,
the highest value ball shall take precedence in order of spotting. |
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(f) |
If all spots are occupied, the color shall be placed as near its own spot as
possible, between that spot and the nearest part of the top cushion. |
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(g) |
In the case of Pink and Black, if all spots are occupied and there is no available
space between the relevant spot and the nearest part of the top cushion, the color
shall be placed as near to its own spot as possible on the center line of the table
below the spot. |
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(h) |
In all cases, the color when spotted must not be touching another ball. |
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(i) |
A color, to be properly spotted, must be placed by hand on the spot designated in
these Rules. |
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| 8. Touching Ball |
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(a) |
If at the completion of a stroke the cue-ball is touching a ball or balls on, or that
could be on, the referee shall state TOUCHING BALL and indicate which ball or balls on
the cue-ball is touching. If the cue-ball is touching one or more colors after a Red (or
a free ball nominated as a Red) has been potted, the referee shall also ask the striker
to DECLARE which color he is on. |
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(b) |
When a touching ball has been called, the striker must play the cue-ball away from
that ball without moving it or it is a push stroke. |
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(c) |
Providing the striker does not cause the object ball to move, there shall be no
penalty if:
(i) the ball is on,
(ii) the ball could be on and the striker declares he is on it, or
(iii) the ball could be on and the striker declares, and first hits, another ball
that could be on. |
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(d) |
If the cue-ball comes to rest touching or nearly touching a ball that is not on, the
referee, if asked whether it is touching, will answer YES or NO. The striker must
play away without disturbing it as above but must first hit a ball that is on. |
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(e) |
When the cue-ball is touching both a ball on and a ball not on, the referee shall
only indicate the ball on as touching. If the striker should ask the referee whether
the cue-ball is also touching the ball not on, he is entitled to be told. |
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(f) |
If the referee is satisfied that any movement of a touching ball at the moment of
striking was not caused by the striker, he will not call a foul. |
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(g) |
If a stationary object ball, not touching the cue-ball when examined by the referee, is
later seen to be in contact with the cue-ball before a stroke has been made, the balls
shall be repositioned by the referee to his satisfaction. This also applies to a
touching ball which later, when examined by the referee is not touching, the balls shall
be repositioned by the referee to his satisfaction. |
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| 9. Ball On Edge Of Pocket |
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When a ball falls into a pocket without being hit by another ball, and |
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(a) |
Being no part of any stroke in progress, it shall be replaced and any points previously
scored shall count. |
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(b) |
If it would have been hit by any ball involved in a stroke:
(i) with no infringement of these Rules (including cases where an infringement would
have occurred but for the ball falling into a pocket), all balls will be replaced and
the same stroke played again, or a different stroke may be played at his discretion, by
the same striker;
(ii) if a foul is committed, the striker incurs the penalty prescribed in Section 3 Rule
10, all balls will be replaced and the next player has the usual options after a foul. |
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(c) |
If a ball balances momentarily on the edge of a pocket and then falls in, it shall count
as in the pocket and not be replaced. |
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| 10. Penalties |
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The following acts are fouls and incur a penalty of four points unless a higher one is indicated in paragraphs (a) to (d) below. Penalties are: |
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(a) |
value of the ball on by:
(i) striking before the referee has completed the spotting of a color taken as a free ball;
(ii) striking the cue-ball more than once during a stroke;
(iii) striking when both feet are off the floor;
(iv) playing out of turn, or playing a stroke before his opponent?s turn has ended contrary to Section 2 Rule 6 (e);
(v) playing improperly from in-hand, including at the opening stroke;
(vi) causing the cue-ball to miss all object balls;
(vii) causing the cue-ball to enter a pocket;
(viii) causing the cue-ball to be snookered behind a free ball, except as provided for in Section 3 Rule 12(b) (ii);
(ix) playing a jump shot;
(x) playing a push stroke;
(xi) playing with a non-standard cue; or
(xii) conferring with a partner contrary to Section 3 Rule 17(e); |
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(b) |
value of the ball on or ball concerned, whichever is higher, by:
(i) striking when any ball is not at rest,
(ii) striking before the referee has completed the spotting of a color that is not a free-ball;
(iii) causing a ball not on to enter a pocket;
(iv) causing the cue-ball to first hit a ball not on;
(v) touching a ball or ball marker in play; or
(vi) causing a ball to be forced off the table; |
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(c) |
value of the ball on or higher value of the two balls concerned by causing the
cue-ball to first hit simultaneously two balls, other than two Reds (when Red is the ball on) or a free ball and a ball on; |
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(d) |
Seven points if the striker:
(i) uses a ball off the table for any purpose;
(ii) uses any object to measure gaps or distance,
(iii) touches any ball during consultation as described in Section 3, Rule 14(g)
(iv) plays at Reds, or a free ball followed by a Red, in successive strokes;
(v) uses any ball other than White as the cue-ball for any stroke after the frame has started;
(vi) fails to declare which ball he is on when snookered or when requested to do so by the referee; or
(vii)after potting a Red (or free ball nominated as a Red), commits a foul before a colour has been nominated. |
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| 11. Fouls |
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If a foul is committed, the referee shall immediately state FOUL. |
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(a) |
If the striker has not made a stroke, his turn ends immediately and the referee
shall announce the penalty. |
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(b) |
If a stroke has been made, the referee will wait until completion of the stroke
before announcing the penalty. |
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(c) |
If a foul is neither awarded by the referee, nor successfully claimed by the
non-striker before the next stroke is made, it is condoned. |
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(d) |
Any color not correctly spotted shall remain where positioned except that if off
the table it shall be correctly spotted. |
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(e) |
All points scored in a break before a foul is awarded are allowed but the striker
shall not score any points for any ball pocketed in a stroke called foul. |
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(f) |
The next stroke is played from where the cue-ball comes to rest or, if the cue-ball
is off the table, from In-hand. |
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(g) |
If more than one foul is committed in the same stroke, the highest value penalty
shall be incurred. |
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(h) |
The player who committed the foul
(i) incurs the penalty prescribed in Rule 12 below, and
(ii) has to play the next stroke if requested by the next player. |
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| 12. Snookered After A Foul |
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After a foul, if the cue-ball is snookered (see Section 2, Rule 17), the referee shall state FREE BALL. |
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(a) |
If the player next in turn elects to play the next stroke:
(i) he may nominate any ball as the ball on, but a free ball cannot be the ball on;
(ii) any nominated ball shall be regarded as, and acquire the value of, the ball on except that, if potted, it shall then be spotted. |
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(b) |
It is a foul if the cue-ball should:
(i) fail to hit the nominated ball first, or first simultaneously with the ball on; or
(ii) be snookered on all Reds, or the ball on, by the free ball thus nominated, except when the Pink and Black are the only object balls remaining on the table. |
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(c) |
If a ball on is potted, it is spotted and the value of the ball on is scored. |
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(d) |
If a ball on is potted, after the cue-ball struck the nominated ball first, or simultaneously with a ball on, the ball on is scored and remains off the table. |
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(e) |
If both the nominated ball and a ball on are potted, only the ball on is scored unless it was a Red, when each ball potted is scored. The free ball is then spotted and the ball on remains off the table. |
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(f) |
If the offender is asked to play again, the free ball call becomes void. |
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| 13. Play Again |
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Once a player has requested an opponent to play again after a foul or requested the
replacement of ball(s) after a Foul and a Miss, such request cannot be withdrawn. The
offender, having been asked to play again, is entitled to: |
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(a) |
change his mind as to:
(i) which stroke he will play; and
(ii) which ball on he will attempt to hit; |
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(b) |
score points for any ball or balls he may pot. |
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| 14. Foul And A Miss |
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(a) |
The striker shall, to the best of his ability, endeavor to hit the ball on or a ball that could be on after a Red has been potted. If the referee considers the Rule infringed, he shall call FOUL AND A MISS unless:
(i) any player needed penalty points before, or as a result of, the stroke being played;
(ii) before or after the stroke, the points available on the table are equal to the points difference excluding the value of the re-spotted black; and the referee is satisfied that the miss was not intentional.
(iii) a situation exists where it is impossible to hit the ball on.
In the latter case it must be assumed the striker is attempting to hit the ball on provided that he plays, directly or indirectly, at the ball on with sufficient strength, in the referee's opinion, to have reached the ball on but for the obstructing ball or balls. |
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(b) |
After a FOUL AND A MISS has been called, the next player may request the offender to play again from the position left, or at his discretion, from the original position, with all balls being replaced, in which latter case the ball on shall be the same as it was prior to the last stroke made, namely:
(i) Any Red, where Red was the ball on;
(ii) the color on, where all Reds were off the table; or
(iii) a color of the striker's choice, where the ball on was a color after a Red had been potted. |
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(c) |
If the striker, in making a stroke, fails to first hit a ball on when there is a clear path in a straight line from the cue-ball to any part of any ball that is or could be on, the referee shall always call FOUL AND A MISS unless as described under paragraph (a)(i) and (a)(ii). |
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(d) |
After a miss has been called under paragraph (c) above when there was a clear path in a straight line from the cue-ball to a ball that was on or could have been on, such that central, full ball, contact was available (in the case of Reds, this to be taken as a full diameter of any Red that is not obstructed by a color), then:
(i) a further failure to first hit a ball on in making a stroke from the original position shall be called as a FOUL AND A MISS regardless of the difference in scores;
(ii) if asked to play again from the original position, the offender shall be warned by the referee that a third failure will result in the frame being awarded to his opponent; and
(iii) if asked to play from the position left, the FOUL AND A MISS situation starts again. |
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(e) |
After the cue-ball has been replaced under this Rule, and the striker fouls any ball, including the cue-ball while preparing to play a stroke, a miss will not be called if a stroke has not been played. In this case the appropriate penalty will be imposed. The next player may then elect to play himself or ask the offender to play again from the position left or the original position. If being asked to play again, the ball on shall be the same as prior to the last stroke made, namely:
(i) any Red, where Red was the ball on;
(ii) the color on, where all Reds were off the table; or
(iii) a color of the striker's choice, where the ball on was a color after a Red had been potted;
If the above situation arises during a sequence of miss calls as described under paragraph (d), any warning concerning the possible awarding of the frame to his opponent shall remain in effect. |
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(f) |
When any ball is being replaced after a miss, both the offender and the next player will be consulted as to its position, after which the referee's decision shall be final. |
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(g) |
During such consultation, if either player should touch any ball in play, he shall be penalized as if he were the striker, without affecting the order of play. The ball touched shall be replaced by the referee, to his satisfaction, even if it was picked up, Section 3. 10 (d) (iii). |
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| 15. Ball Moved By Other Than Striker |
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If a ball, stationary or moving, is disturbed other than by the striker, it shall be re-positioned by the referee to the place he judges the ball was, or would have finished, without penalty. |
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(a) |
This Rule shall include cases where another occurrence or person, causes the striker to move a ball, but will not apply in cases where a ball moves due to any defect in the table surface, except in the case where a spotted ball moves before the next stroke has been made. |
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(b) |
No player shall be penalized for any disturbance of balls by the referee. |
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| 16. Stalemate |
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If the referee thinks a position of stalemate exists, or is being approached, he
shall offer the players the immediate option of re-starting the frame. If any
player objects, the referee shall allow play to continue with the proviso that
the situation must change within a stated period, usually after three more strokes
to each side but at the referee's discretion. If the situation remains basically
unchanged after the stated period has expired, the referee shall nullify all scores
and re-set all balls as for the start of a frame and |
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(a) |
the same player shall again make the opening stroke, |
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(b) |
the same order of play shall be maintained. |
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| 17. Four-handed Snooker |
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(a) |
In a Four-handed game each side shall open alternate frames and the order of play
shall be determined at the start of each frame and, when so determined, must be
maintained throughout that frame. |
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(b) |
Players may change the order of play at the start of each new frame. |
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(c) |
If a foul is committed and a request to play again is made, the player who committed
the foul plays again, even if the foul was made out of turn, and the original order
of play is maintained such that the offender's partner may lose a turn. |
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(d) |
When a frame ends in a tie Section 3 Rule 4 applies. If a re-spotted Black is
necessary the pair who play the first stroke have the choice of which player will
make that stroke. The order of play must then continue as in the frame. |
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(e) |
Partners may confer during a frame but not
(i) whilst one is the striker and at the table, nor
(ii) after the first stroke of the striker's turn until the break ends. |
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| 18. Use Of Ancillary Equipment |
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It is the responsibility if the striker to both place and remove any equipment he may
use at the table. |
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(a) |
The striker is responsible for all items including, but not limited to, rests and
extensions that he brings to the table, whether owned by him or borrowed (except from
the referee), and he will be penalized for any fouls made by him when using this
equipment. |
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(b) |
Equipment normally found at the table which has been provided by another party
including the referee are not the responsibility of the striker. Should this
equipment prove to be faulty and thereby cause the striker to touch a ball or balls,
no fouls will be called. The referee will, if necessary, reposition any balls in
accordance with Rule 15 above and the striker, if in a break, will be allowed to
continue without penalty. |
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| 19. Interpretation |
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(a) |
Throughout these Rules and Definitions, words implying the masculine gender shall
equally apply to and include the female gender. |
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(b) |
Circumstances may necessitate adjustment in how Rules are applied for persons with
physical handicaps. In particular and for example:
(i) Section 3 Rule 12(a)(ii) cannot be applied to players in wheelchairs, and
(ii) a player, upon request to the referee, shall be told the color of a ball if he
is unable to differentiate between colors as, for example, red and green. |
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(c) |
When there is no referee, such as in a social game, the opposing player or side will
be regarded as such for the purpose of these Rules. |
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The official rules of snooker are copyright of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA).
Revised August 2014. |
