A foul break question.

[mooneyy]

Problem is, that nobody has been asked to play again. So I don't think s3 r13 comes into effect, but just s3 r14 "Foul and a Miss".
In section C, letter iv it says:
"...the next player may elect to play the stroke himself or ask the offender to play again from the position left; or..."

And of course, by coming to the table, player B accepts the position of the white player A left him. So if he commits a F&M, this position is the only position the ball could possibly be replaced to.

[DawRef]

Player A fouls and leaves Player B snookered on all the reds, so a 'Free Ball' is declared. Player B opts to take the free ball and nominates the pink hanging over the pocket. It was a very fine cut and he fails to make contact so a F&M is called. For whatever reason, Player A asks for the balls to be replaced. Does Player B still have a free ball?

My question for this scenario is this. Does Player B gain an advantage for having the choice of which free ball, or does Player A gain an advantage if Player B has to replay the Pink? - if he misses a second time and the balls are replaced, he should be warned that a 3rd miss will cost him the frame (and possibly the match).
A referee has to make a decision quickly. He hasn't time to ponder. If it were me (and I haven't reffed for a couple of years), I would let Player B have the free ball choice, as that was what the previous situation was.

[Souwester]

My question for this scenario is this. Does Player B gain an advantage for having the choice of which free ball, or does Player A gain an advantage if Player B has to replay the Pink? - if he misses a second time and the balls are replaced, he should be warned that a 3rd miss will cost him the frame (and possibly the match).
A referee has to make a decision quickly. He hasn't time to ponder. If it were me (and I haven't reffed for a couple of years), I would let Player B have the free ball choice, as that was what the previous situation was.

Whilst I am firmly in the camp that says that Player B still has a free ball if he is put back in to play,it is not the referee's place to make the decision as to who gets an advantage. It is down to Player A to decide whether he has the advantage of playing the next stroke himself from the position left or whether it is more advantageous, for whatever reason, to put Player B back in or have the balls replaced.