Another 'free-ball' situation!!!

[Souwester]

When else can you snooker behind the nominated ball?

When just pink and black are left.
(there is another thread somewhere about it!)

Nope, that's not the other (common) situation I had in mind.You need to ensure you're not answering a different question to the one posed!

[Krypton]

When else can you snooker behind the nominated ball?

To answer JUST THIS:

You can snooker behind a NOMINATED ball whenever you like. As long as you're not playing a free ball

[Souwester]

Well that's not entirely true: you can't trickle up to a red when red is the ball on, because that same red will obviously be available as the ball on to the incoming player.

However, having potted a red, then yes, you can snooker behind your nominated colour!

[DawRef]

I think these sort of questions are best set up and answered by an experienced referee or, preferably an examiner, on a snooker table. That way the Examiner can show why, or why not, it is, or is not, a foul.

[poolqjunkie]

The way I look at it, if the black ball was not there the striker could have no problem seeing the whole red.
So, the striker is not snookered on all reds by the nominated free ball, so it is a legit shot.

[Hyperonic]

The cue-ball is said to be snookered when a direct stroke in a straight line to every ball on is wholly or partially obstructed by a ball or balls not on.

(c) When Red is the ball on, if the cue-ball is obstructed from hitting different Reds by different balls not on, there is no effective snookering ball.


The cue ball is snookered according to the first sentence but according to (c) there is no effective snookering ball. When there is no effective snookering ball then does that mean the cue ball is not snookered ? How can it be said that the cue ball is not snookered, when there is no direct path from the cue ball to any red ? It seems that these two statements conflict. Can anyone clarify ?

[The Statman]

The cue-ball is said to be snookered when a direct stroke in a straight line to every ball on is wholly or partially obstructed by a ball or balls not on.

(c) When Red is the ball on, if the cue-ball is obstructed from hitting different Reds by different balls not on, there is no effective snookering ball.


The cue ball is snookered according to the first sentence but according to (c) there is no effective snookering ball. When there is no effective snookering ball then does that mean the cue ball is not snookered ? How can it be said that the cue ball is not snookered, when there is no direct path from the cue ball to any red ? It seems that these two statements conflict. Can anyone clarify ?

The first part of the Rule makes plain that the cue-ball IS snookered.

The second part explains that, if more than one red is snookered but by different colours, then no single colour is deemed the snookering ball.

This only has relevance on a free ball, where the free ball must not end up as the 'effective snookering ball'.

[decwes]

Playing tonight in freeball situation, opponent nominated black as freeball. Attempted to pot it but wobbled in jaws and ended up snookering me on last red. Is this therefore a foul shot even though it was an accidental snooker?

[jrc750]

Yes it is, bit harsh but there you go
sure someone will post up the specific rule soon

[decwes]

knew i shouldn't have let him off!

[Souwester]

Yes it is, bit harsh but there you go
sure someone will post up the specific rule soon

10. Snookered After a Foul


(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.

The rule doesn't distinguish between accidental and deliberate snookers behind the nominated ball, they are all treated the same.

[thinsy]

Playing tonight in freeball situation, opponent nominated black as freeball. Attempted to pot it but wobbled in jaws and ended up snookering me on last red. Is this therefore a foul shot even though it was an accidental snooker?

Was it the black ball that snookered you?

YES: It is a foul
NO: No foul