Free Ball (rules&questions)

[chasmmi]

I believe that a miss requires you to 'miss' the object ball.

(that is not meant to read as sarcastic, sorry.)

I do wonder in the essence of sportsmanship as opposed to rules. Would rolling up behind a free ball black when just two balls are left on the table be frowned upon as not the done thing or is it a 'sportingly legitimate' shot (I don't mean if it is legal or not).

[elvaago]

I would say that's a good snooker.

[davis_greatest]

I do wonder in the essence of sportsmanship as opposed to rules. Would rolling up behind a free ball black when just two balls are left on the table be frowned upon as not the done thing or is it a 'sportingly legitimate' shot (I don't mean if it is legal or not).

I don't understand this? It is perfectly legal and may well be the best shot to play - so why should it be frowned upon?

[chasmmi]

So it wouldn't be viewed as something you do not do because you do not (normally) snooker behind a free ball?

[davis_greatest]

So it wouldn't be viewed as something you do not do because you do not snooker behind a free ball?

You can snooker behind a free ball when only pink and black remain.

[The Statman]

I am sure you people must have had a lots of problems regarding FREE-BALL rules.Well I do.
What happens is these cases:
Case 1)I got a FREE-BALL on the last RED and nominate the black as the FREE-BALL .Miss the BLACK and end up hitting the last RED left on the table.Is this a foul?Why? How many points?

No, it is a foul. You MUST hit the nominated ball first (or simultaneously with the ball on). Foul of 4 points (NOT 7), the value of the higher of ball on (black treated as a red =4) and ball struck (red =4).

Case 2)I got a FREE-BALL on the last two reds and nominate the black as the FREE-BALL .Miss the BLACK and end up hitting the one of the last two REDs left on the table.Is this a foul? Why? How many points?

as above

Case 3)I get a FREE-BALL on the last red on the table I nominate the BLACK as the FREE-BALL and end up potting the BLACK and the RED on the table.Is this a foul? Why? How many points?

Two points for potting two 'reds', as long as the black was hit first.

Case 4)I get a FREE-BALL on the YELLOW and nominate the GREEN as my FREE-BALL and pot the YELLOW but not the GREEN , but by hitting the GREEN 1st (fluked yellow).Is this a foul? Why? How many points?

You get two points for potting the yellow. The yellow stays down and you're now on the green.

Case 5) I get a FREE-BALL on the last RED left on the table , I nominate the BLACK as my FREE-BALL but dont pot it.I try to but unable to pot , but comes in my opponents way on the last RED. i.e he is snookered by the BLACK . Foul? How many points?

foul for snookering behind the free ball. 4 points.

Sorry, it's a boring drizzly linchtime and I'm just looking through my unseen threads!

[rambon]

foul for snookering behind the free ball. 4 points.

Shouldn't that mean Foul 4 points and a free ball oh great one?

[Ginger Freak]

No, it is a foul. You MUST hit the nominated ball first (or simultaneously with the ball on). Foul of 4 points (NOT 7), the value of the higher of ball on (black treated as a red =4) and ball struck (red =4).

Well there is a revelation for me! I always assumed that, given that the black is for all intents and puposes, a red, it wouldn't matter which ball was hit first.

You learn something new every day.

Does that mean, if someone nominated a free ball, then changed their mind and decided to get out of the snooker the normal way, he would have to un-nominate the free ball, lest he foul?

[The Statman]

Well there is a revelation for me! I always assumed that, given that the black is for all intents and puposes, a red, it wouldn't matter which ball was hit first.

You learn something new every day.

Does that mean, if someone nominated a free ball, then changed their mind and decided to get out of the snooker the normal way, he would have to un-nominate the free ball, lest he foul?

Yes just the same as if you're on a colour after a red, and you call "Green" and then decide to go for something different – you would be wise to call the new colour!

Remember that the free ball is designed for when you're snookered - allowing you to PLAY another ball, not to take advantage of a colour being in a particular position that is to your advantage in some other way.

[The Statman]

Shouldn't that mean Foul 4 points and a free ball oh great one?

Yes, of course, the oncoming player would get a free ball himself.

But the questioner merely asked "Foul? How many points?" so that is all I answered.

[davis_greatest]

Well there is a revelation for me! I always assumed that, given that the black is for all intents and puposes, a red, it wouldn't matter which ball was hit first.

You learn something new every day.

Does that mean, if someone nominated a free ball, then changed their mind and decided to get out of the snooker the normal way, he would have to un-nominate the free ball, lest he foul?

Yes it does. An exception would be if the cue ball is touching another ball, in which case it would be prudent to nominate that touching ball as a free ball in case the other ball is missed.

[The Statman]

Yes it does. An exception would be if the cue ball is touching another ball, in which case it would be prudent to nominate that touching ball as a free ball in case the other ball is missed.

If the cue-ball is touching a colour, either after a red or as a free ball, the referee will ask the player to declare which colour he intends to go for, so there can be no doubt whether he is playing away from the touching ball (that he has nominated) or actually playing for another.

I have once, when refereeing, asked a player to nominate and he has replied 'red' in this situation – he had a free ball and was touching a colour, and chose to play the red anyway. This could also arise if on a free ball, a colour and red were in similar direction and it was not clear which he was playing for.

I am pretty sure it's the only time I have ever had to call "Red ball" to confirm the player's nomination.

[Cue_147]

Here a question which regarding the free-ball, i was arguing with an opponent about.

I need 2 snookers with pink and black on the table, anyway i get 1 snooker which he fails to hit and leaves me a free ball because the white ran behind the pink about 3 foot away.

I nominated pink as my free ball and ran up to the pink leaving him snookered again. I thought this was allowed but only when there is pink and black on the table. Am i right or wrong???

Sorry if this has been mentioned but haven't read the whole thread.

P.S. I conseded the frame because he got funny with me.

[Ginger Freak]

You would have been in the right there, when only the pink and black are left, you are allowed to snooker behind the free-ball

[The Statman]

Here a question which regarding the free-ball, i was arguing with an opponent about.

I need 2 snookers with pink and black on the table, anyway i get 1 snooker which he fails to hit and leaves me a free ball because the white ran behind the pink about 3 foot away.

I nominated pink as my free ball and ran up to the pink leaving him snookered again. I thought this was allowed but only when there is pink and black on the table. Am i right or wrong???

Sorry if this has been mentioned but haven't read the whole thread.

P.S. I conseded the frame because he got funny with me.

Surely you mean the black?

If only pink and black were left, he could not have left you snookered behind the pink, and pink could not have been a free ball as it was the ball you're going for!

But yes, when you're down to the final pink, that is the ONLY time you may snooker behind a free ball.