A Pretty Good Teaser

[DawRef]

I think this will test the rules knowledge of a few Grade 1 referees and examiners alike. It is possible, though highly unlikely.

Compile a total clearance of 29 points, with only 3 balls on the table. How?

Clue (I must be in a good mood): condoning a foul.

[davis_greatest]

Does this involve the referee not noticing that there are some colours absent from the table?!

[The Statman]

Here's my attempt. I am assuming the 'three balls left on the table' does not include the white.

A player has started to clear the colours, and just got as far as the blue and taken the shot at the pink (but not pocketed it) when it is noticed that there is still a red on the table. The pots on the yellow, green, brown and blue stand because, though they should have been fouls for missing the red, each foul was condoned as the next shot was played. However, the shot on the pink IS a foul because it has not been condoned by a subsequent shot. His opponent will get 6 points.

The three balls on the table are thus red, pink and black. The balls are set such that the oncoming player has a free ball. He plays the black (as the free ball red), then black, then real red, then black, then the colours clearance of pink and black. Total score 29 points.

This would have been a shock to the other player, who would have been certain when he potted the blue to be 35 up with only 13 on the table!

[Strickimicki]

It would of been a shock to everybody watching the match except for the bloke with white stick, a labrador by his side and a yellow ribbon on his arm!

who just by coinsidance was the referee

That can not possibly be right?

Or are you taking the pi--

[The Statman]

Well, when it gets to that stage it is highly hypothetical. But arrangements were agreed as to the procedure if the colours clearance has started and a red is then 'discovered' still on the table. And that was that, when the mistake is discovered, the red becomes the ball on (as it always has been, of course, except that nobody knew it was there), the colour after the red is then played, and then the remaining colours sequence.

This could genuinely happen with one red left if surrounded by a couple of late colours by a cushion, but in theory it could happen later on in the frame.

As with all these teasers, the word 'theoretically' comes up because quite often they are too outlandish to actually occur, although quite possible physically.

So no, it's never going to happen but, equally, no I'm not taking the pi--!

[Strickimicki]

Point taken!

[DawRef]

Yep. Correct Statman. I've not known it happen, only the other similar situation when the referee has failed to re-spot a colour. In this case no foul is awarded as a player cannot be responsible for the referee failing to re-spot a colour. (Section 3, rule 7(c)(i)).

[davis_greatest]

How is this a "total clearance"? Do we mean just clearance?

[poolqjunkie]

A player made a red, was on a green, potted it, when his opponenet noticed that the green and yellow were on the wrong spot(they were placed on each other's spot in the beginning of the game).
Was that a foul (4 point)? How should we deal with the spotting of the balls?
Thank you.

[double_kiss]

That was a fair stroke, no foul. After a stroke is made or a foul is committed, incorrectly spotted colours remain where they are, cf. rules 3.7 (c), 3.11 (d).

[The Statman]

A player made a red, was on a green, potted it, when his opponenet noticed that the green and yellow were on the wrong spot(they were placed on each other's spot in the beginning of the game).
Was that a foul (4 point)? How should we deal with the spotting of the balls?
Thank you.

Once the frame has started and a shot played, it is too late to do anything about it. No foul can be awarded. The frame then just proceeds as if the balls had landed there by chance - if you pot the yellow (from the green spot), then when re-spotting it the normal procedure will be carried out for spotting the yellow when its spot is occupied – highest available and then in a direct line up the table from its own spot if none is available.

[poolqjunkie]

Thank you so much.
If the player breaks off when the colors are spotted incorrectly, it is not foul either is that correct?