game rules on unplayable shot?

[dandare13]

hi

im new here but have been playing snooker for about 25 years. my dad and me were wondering about a scenario that neither of us can remembering ever happening in our games over the years or on tv in tournements.

imagine the white ball in a position on the table and is completely surrounded by coloured balls. theres no way out of the situation. the white wont even pass any of the colours to attempt a strike on a red. at what point does the ref make a decision on the game. every time the player hits the white ball he fouls on a colour. this could go on forever but when does the ref make the final decision or what are the rules on this position?

thanks

dandare

[RGCirencester]

Have had this discussion before a few times.
Here is talking about the same situation but in a snooker.

http://www.thesnookerforum.com/board...ad.php?t=15983

Play towards a ball on in such a way as you would hit it if the obstructing balls were not there and the referree should not call a miss i think was the conclusion.

[Robert602]

The player is supposed to play directly or indirectly towards a ball on with sufficient strength to hit it. If they do that it shouldn't be long before the situation is resolved.

If you're playing with the miss rule then a miss should be called if you don't hit with enough strength, impossible shot or not.

Even without the miss though the non-striker always has the option to ask the offender to play again, so there's be no point repeatedly tapping up to a colour (the penalty points would just mount up until they lost).

[mushka]

You attempt to hit the ball-on even though it's impossible to succeed. A foul is called on you, but you will not be put into the same situation again.
You won't be fouling forever, but your opponent will continue.

Edit: Late, so much better said above.