Unplayable shot

[philip in china]

I couldn't find a thread on this although I am sure 1 exists.

I was practicing today and there was a red right on the edge of a corner pocket. Around it were yellow, brown and black in such a way that it was impossible to get the cue ball to the red. There just wasn't a space big enough.

So if I played the last red and then just touched a colour what does my opponenet do? Can I just refuse to take the table ever again and leave him to live the rest of his life trying to take the shot? Does the game end when he finally wears through the slate? Or maybe there is a simpler answer.

I just wish I could manage to get somebody placed thus in a real match!

[jrc750]

He has to play the shot in a direction and with enough speed to reach the red as though the colours were not there, he can't avoid the foul but if he thinks carefully at least he can put a colour/colours safe (assuming he wants/needs to)

[philip in china]

Does that assume we are not playing the @miss@ rule? If we are I could put everything back to status quo ante and make him take it again, and again!

Thanks for your help thus far.

[philip in china]

Keyboard

BTW on some keyboards here " prints as @ and vice versa. So above please read "miss".

We have many computer issues here of which that is the least of our problems!

[jrc750]

Even with the miss rule i'm pretty certain that you cannot have the balls replaced, because in this situation it was actually impossible to hit the red. Sure someone will quote the exact rule soon

[snookeru]

I think what you will find is that your opponent has to attempt to play the red and must hit a colour and when doing so and leaving you an inplayable shot the frame has to be reset . i.e it becomes a draw

[jrc750]

Here is the ruling

Section 3 - Snooker
14. Foul and a Miss
The striker shall, to the best of his ability, endeavour to hit the ball on. If the referee considers the Rule infringed, he shall call FOUL AND A MISS unless only the Black remains on the table, or 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.

[philip in china]

I knew it had to be covered somewhere and apologise for my stupidity in not finding that in the rules. So I suppose also as an underscript in this case- make sure you hit the yellow not the black when trying!! Of course then the opponent could nominate any ball to take as a red and the game continues.

Thank you. May all my problems disappear as easily!

[Souwester]

You might want to read through this recent thread, which deals with 'ball on impossible to hit':

http://www.thesnookerforum.com/board...is-shot-please