free ball rule

[winging pom]

Hi everyone
can anyone tell me wether or not a player can change his mind after nominating a free ball.

Regards Winging Pom

[DeanH]

As long as no stroke has been played, i.e. the tip has touched the cue ball; then yes the player can change his nomination of the free ball.

[Souwester]

Yes, as Dean says, a player can change his mind as to which ball is his free ball (or indeed his selection of a colour after a red) up until a stroke is actually made. However, it is wise to make a verbal nomination a little earlier, because it is usual practice for the referee to repeat a verbal declaration, and if he isn't sure he has heard correctly he may ask for that declaration to be repeated. Failure to do so (before the stroke is played) is a foul.