Is this a free ball?

[M3 Compact]

Hi guys - apologies if this is a lame question, but I've had a search around and I haven't managed to find an answer....




Thanks in advance.:applause:

[shanerayner28]

Is this a free ball?

no cos u can't hit both sides of the red in one position that's the way i see it am sure more ppl will comment to help

[Souwester]

I think shanerayner28 meant YES it IS a free ball because you can't see both finest edges of the ball on from any one position within the D. If you can hit both finest edges of a ball on from any position in the D (or indeed the position left, if outside the D) then it is not a free ball.

[nrage]

Is this a free ball?
Yes - because you cannot hit both extreme edges of any ball on from any one position inside the D.

The section of the rules is..

17. Snookered
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. If one or more balls on can be struck at both extreme edges free of obstruction by any ball not on, the cue-ball is not snookered.
(a) If in-hand, the cue-ball is snookered if it is obstructed as described above from all possible positions on or within the lines of the “D”.

[Souwester]

Section 2 (DEFINITIONS)

17. Snookered
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. If one or more balls on can be struck at both extreme edges free of obstruction by any ball not on, the cue-ball is not snookered.
(a) If in-hand, the cue-ball is snookered if it is obstructed as described above from all possible positions on or within the lines of the “D”.
(b) If the cue-ball is so obstructed from hitting a ball on by more than one ball not on:
(i) the ball nearest to the cue-ball is considered to be the effective snookering ball; and
(ii) should more than one obstructing ball be equidistant from the cue-ball, all such balls will be considered to be effective snookering balls.
(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.
(d) The striker is said to be snookered when the cue-ball is snookered as above.
(e) The cue-ball cannot be snookered by a cushion. If the curved face of a cushion obstructs the cue-ball and is closer to the cue-ball than any obstructing ball not on, the cue-ball is not snookered.

SECTION 3 (THE GAME)

12. Snookered After a Foul
After a foul, if the cue-ball is snookered (see Section 2, Rule 17), the referee shall state FREE BALL.
(a) If the player next in turn elects to play the next stroke:
(i) he may nominate any ball as the ball on; and
(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.
(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.
(c) If the free ball is potted, it is spotted and the value of the ball on is scored.
(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.
(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.
(f) If the offender is asked to play again, the free ball call becomes void.

[shanerayner28]

Is this a free ball?

meant yes long day at work lol

[mythman69]

Can someone please suggest a link to the latest ful official rules ?? THANKS!!

[Gerry Armstrong]

The full official rules are available on the World Snooker website in the Fanzone section.

[Souwester]

URL for rules:

http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFi...~167232,00.pdf

[mythman69]

Thanks for the rules - hopefully that should stop few arguments . . .

[herbie]

If Player A potted the red it stays down, the yellow ball is on and it is not a free ball.

[jrc750]

If Player A potted the red it stays down, the yellow ball is on and it is not a free ball.

Lol stating the obvious there !!!

[TooDark]

WOW! Simple question and a simple answer YES as you can't see both sides of the ball from one point on the D and now 2 pages long lol:biggrin:

Been answered.....now next question!

[herbie]

You never know - he did not mention if player A potted the red or not.

[jrc750]

You never know - he did not mention if player A potted the red or not.

In his diagram thing he clearly stated about the final red being on the table
By the way just seen pic of your table, very nice indeed