Failure to nominate free ball

[Alanrs]

The last five balls are left on the table when a player commits a foul and leaves a free ball. The opponent plays the pink as the free ball but did not nominate. Is this a foul shot?

[tcollick]

No, rulewise it is just the same as when playing a normal colour, in which almost always players do not nominate because it is obvious.

In an official match it is the referees responsibility to ask the player to nominate if it is not obvious which is the target ball, be it a free ball or normal colour.

However, In a friendly match with no ref, it is regarded as general courtesy to nominate the target ball in a free ball situation.

[jamesa54321]

No, rulewise it is just the same as when playing a normal colour, in which almost always players do not nominate because it is obvious.

In an official match it is the referees responsibility to ask the player to nominate if it is not obvious which is the target ball, be it a free ball or normal colour.

However, In a friendly match with no ref, it is regarded as general courtesy to nominate the target ball in a free ball situation.

I might be wrong but I was sure you had to nominate on a free ball, regardless of how obvious it was

[DawRef]

Definition of Nominate:

Section 2 Rule 12 states:
(a) A nominated ball is the object ball which the striker declares, or indicates to the satisfaction of the referee, he undertakes to hit with the first impact of the cue-ball.
(b) If requested by the referee, the striker must declare which ball he is on. (This will be a foul of seven points if he does not (Section 3 Rule 12(d)(v)).
The criteria here is ....or indicates to the satisfaction of the referee......
So in answer to your question, if it is blatantly obvious that the player is going to play the pink, then no, it is not a foul.
However, if the referee is undecided which ball the striker is going to nominate, then he should ask. Also, what if the player is dumb? He cannot verbally nominate his choice of colour (as the free ball). In this instance the referee would expect him to point at his choice of ball.
In all of the matches I have refereed, the player has verbally nominated his free ball, even if it is obvious as to which one.

[Alanrs]

Helpfull responses thanks, especially DawRef.

[Souwester]

As with selecting a colour after a red, a player can nominate by indication (eg pointing with a finger or with the direction of his cue) or declaration (verbal).

If indication is not clear, then the referee should ask the player to declare (ie by saying out loud) which ball he is on.

[Hyperonic]

Nominated Ball
(a) A nominated ball is the object ball which the striker declares, or indicates to the satisfaction of the referee, he undertakes to hit with the first impact of the cue-ball.

Penalties
(d) A penalty of seven points is incurred if the striker
(v) fails to declare which ball he is on when requested to do so by the referee

Interpretation
(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.

In a social game as well, it would be the responsibility of the opposing player to ask the striker when he is unsure as to which ball the striker is taking as the ball on.

[The Statman]

It used to be the case that the free ball had to be verbally nominated and I have played a few older players who believed it still to be the case, but the rule was changed in 1973. I have before me a copy of the November 1973 issue of Snooker Scene, and an article on page 15 states:

"RULE CHANGE

As from December 1, players will not be required to nominate their colour when taking a free ball unless there is doubt over which ball the player is attempting.

In other words, this brings the nomination of a free ball in line with nominating after potting a red.

The amendment was introduced by the professional association for the 1973 World Championship and has now been adopted by the B&SCC for all games played under their rules."

In fact, although nearly 37 years have passed since this amendment, I have been called over to settle disputes between players younger than this length of time, where one thinks that verbal nomination of the free ball is necessary.

It isn't.