Playing the final black in a frame..

[timcunnell]

Hey guys - I guess this is two questions in one, concerning the rules of playing the black at the end of a frame. If someone knows the ruling I'd really appreciate some info!
What I'd like to know is; if you're at the end of a frame, and the pink is frame ball - if you pot the pink successfully (let's say it puts you 10 points ahead with only the black remaining) you can obviously leave the black and don't have to go for it. Your opponent can't try and get a snooker with just the black on the table.
However, two scenarios to consider :
i - if you pot the pink to go 10 points ahead with only the black on the table, but you narrowly avoid going in-off, and now find yourself snookered/angled on the black by the jaw of a pocket such that you cannot hit the black directly, can your opponent then insist that you play the black? Afterall, you're going to have to come off at least one cushion (or swerve) and if you miss, its a black-ball game?
ii - you pot the pink to go 10 ahead, and you're so pleased with yourself that you pretend you're Ronnie O'Sullivan, and attempt to smash the black in with tons of screw and side. You end up missing the black and in fact the white ball goes in the middle pocket. Is this a foul and 7 points awarded to the opponent, and suddenly a black-ball game?

Any insight would be much-appreciated!

[SnkrRef]

No, the first legal pot or foul when only the black remains on the table ends the frame (unless the scores are then level). So if he's ten ahead after potting the pink, then in both of your scenarios it doesn't matter about fouling on the black, because he'd then be three points ahead, but because it is a 'foul when only black remains', then the frame is ended with him three up.

As you rightly imply, when only black remains the striker can claim the frame if he is more than seven points up.

Section 3
4. End of Frame, Game or Match
(a) When Black is the only object ball remaining on the table, the first score or foul ends the frame excepting only if the following conditions both apply:
(i) the scores are then equal; and
(ii) aggregate scores are not relevant.

Also Section 2 Definitions:

1. Frame
A frame of snooker comprises the period of the play from the start (see Section 3 Rule 3(c)), with all the balls set as described in Section 3 Rule 2, each player playing in turn until the frame is completed by:
(a) concession by any player during his turn;
(b) claim by the striker when; Black is the only object ball remaining on the table, aggregate points are not relevant, and there is a difference of more than seven points between the scores in his favour;
(c) the final pot or foul when; Black is the only object ball remaining on the table (see Section 3 Rule 4); or
(d) being awarded by the referee under Section 3 Rule 14(c) (ii) or Section 4 Rule 2.

[t.lavery55]

SnkrRef has it spot on.

[timcunnell]

Another quality answer! Thanks SnkrRef!

[Whirlwind Wayne]

It doesn't matter where the white ends up on the table if the player is more than 7 ahead after the final pink is potted then the frame is over as you can claim the win and in theory you can smash the black and foul and you'd have still won as the black cannot be re-spotted of you are still ahead. The only time the final black can be re-spotted from a foul is if the scores are level after the foul has been awarded.