Doubles Matches - Conferring

[DawRef]

As referee, one of the hardest things I find, is to referee a doubles match. You have the added criteria that the correct order is maintained during each frame (try refereeing with identical twins on both sides!!!). One rule in doubles is that players are not allowed to confer whilst one of them is at the table (Section 3, Rule 17(e)).
However, what if one player was at the table and his partner was talking with a member of the audience, or even a team member who had come to watch? Could that be construed as 'conferring' under the rules of the game?
My own view would be to ask (warn even) the spectator not to talk with the player whilst his partner was at the table.

[archalf1471]

Daw Ref, I totally agree with you, I was bought up not to confer during a frame of doubles ( but then I had a great coach Walt Ley) 1. Its against the rules as you state but also at the end of the day your partner should be playing his own game and you yours, shouldn't need words in the ear in my opinion

[LWB]

Yes two points would be that the players off the table shouldn't be having any sort of conversation that can be heard by a player at the table. And specifically talking about the state of play at that time should constitute one warning if he's sober, 2 if he's drunk lol, then concession of the frame.

[steveb72]

How would you define "at the table" ?

Say a player from PAIR A had just taken his shot,
Both players from PAIR B are stood away from the table and they start discussing which shot to play.

Is this allowed?

The player from PAIR B whose turn it is has not approached the table yet so are they allowed to confer?

[poolqjunkie]

How would you define "at the table" ?

Say a player from PAIR A had just taken his shot,
Both players from PAIR B are stood away from the table and they start discussing which shot to play.

Is this allowed?

The player from PAIR B whose turn it is has not approached the table yet so are they allowed to confer?

I think he is talking about one player of pair a is shooting, and the other player from the same pair not being allowed to give his partner any advice while he is at the table. The question is what if this player sitting in his chair is having a conversation with someone else?

[poolqjunkie]

By the way, if my partner is playing a shot, and I said, "this is the game ball!" in my chair, is that a foul? Do I loose four points, the frame, get a warning, or what?
What if I was saying that to a friend of mine, and it was not directed to my partner at all?

[The Statman]

By the way, if my partner is playing a shot, and I said, "this is the game ball!" in my chair, is that a foul? Do I loose four points, the frame, get a warning, or what?
What if I was saying that to a friend of mine, and it was not directed to my partner at all?

Yes, I would calll foul. WHether itended or not, if a comment on the game is within earshot of your partner at the table, then that is against the rules and is foul.

I would suggest that this is extended to team matches, such as most local leagues, where if a teammate said something like "what about the green?" when the striker perhaps hadn't noticed an easy pot, that that would warrant a foul or, at least, a warning to the players concerned.

[poolqjunkie]

What kind of penalty will be imposed?

[The Statman]

Well by Rule it's a foul 4 (or more if blue or above is the ball on).

[ste bed]

Yes, I would calll foul. WHether itended or not, if a comment on the game is within earshot of your partner at the table, then that is against the rules and is foul.

I would suggest that this is extended to team matches, such as most local leagues, where if a teammate said something like "what about the green?" when the striker perhaps hadn't noticed an easy pot, that that would warrant a foul or, at least, a warning to the players concerned.

christ if you called a foul for saying its game ball in my club i wouldnt like to say what would happen it wouldnt be nice but i totaly agree with the rest when a player is at the table there should be no sugestion or help on the shot whatso ever but only in league matches. whats the official rule on the croud shouting out for example your opponent is at the table he gets down to pots the green he doesnt realise the yellow is still on the table and a team mate or croud shouts out THE YELLOW IS STILL THERE .as this happened in a league match of mine bit ago the lad got down to pot the wrong ball i could see his team mate wanted to say somthing but didnt and then a chap who came with them to watch blarted out WRONG BALL.