BACK QUESTIONS/ANSWERS by John Ivett

Question; In a frame of snooker when is it permissible to strike two balls simultaneously?
Answer; When the first impact of the cue ball is with two Reds or a Red and a Freeball, when Red is the ball on.

Question; In snooker when does a player become the striker?
Answer; When all balls have come to rest and the opponent is adjudged to have left the table.

Question; In snooker, a player is called for a 'Foul and a Miss' after playing from in hand. After being asked to play again from the original  position, can the cue ball be played from anywhere in the ' D '?
Answer; No. The cue ball must be played from exactly the same position in the 'D' as it was the previous stroke.

Question; At the start of a frame of snooker the Striker places the cue ball on the table, and has clearly and finally positioned the cue ball,         the Striker touches the cue ball with the tip of the cue when 'feathering' to make a stroke.
        a) Is this a foul?
        b) Has the frame commenced?
        c) Is the cue ball still in hand?
Answer; a) Yes
          b) Yes
          c) No

Question; What is a Free ball?
Answer; The ball nominated when snookered after a foul.

Question; In snooker, what is a foul?
Answer; Any infringement of the Rules.

Question; What is the difference between;
        a) a ball potted, and
        b) a ball pocketed.
Answer; a) When a ball on enters a pocket with no infringement of Rules.
          b) When a ball enters a pocket where the Rules have been infringed.

Question; In snooker, Black and Brown are to be spotted, the Black spot is occupied but the Brown spot is vacant. Which ball goes where?
Answer; Brown on it's own spot, Black as close to it's own spot as possible on the centre line of the table below it's spot.

Question; When refereeing, when would you call "Touching Ball"?
Answer; When the cue ball comes to rest touching a ball or balls that are on, or could be on.

Question; In snooker, if the striker asks the referee if the cue ball is touching a ball 'not on' should the referee tell him/her?
Answer; Yes

Question; In snooker what should the striker do after a 'Touching Ball' call?
Answer; The striker must play the cue ball away from the touching ball without moving it.

Question; When is it permissible to play a push stroke?
Answer; When the cue ball is close to but not touching a ball on if the cue ball hits a very fine edge of that ball on it shall not be deemed to        be a push stroke.

DID YOU KNOW?

- It is not a foul to snooker behind the free ball when only the Pink and Black balls are left.

- Either player touching any ball during a 'Foul and a Miss' sequence will be penalised as if the striker, but the order of play does not change.

- If a player breaks out of turn and the mistake is seen prior to another stroke being played the balls are reset and the correct player breaks.        If the mistake is discovered after another stroke has been played the break is condoned and the frame continues. The same player        would also break the next frame resulting in the same player breaking in three consecutive frames.

- In snooker the Cue ball is in hand at the start of a frame and as such is subject to the same conditions.

- The referee appointed to a match is the sole authority in control of that match. Players do not have the option of seeking advice/opinions beyond the referee in charge of that table.

- A ball marker used by the referee takes on the same status as the ball being cleaned and will incur the same penalty if touched by either player.

- Competing players are obliged to shake the referees hand both before and after the match .. ABSC code of Ethics.

- When setting a snooker table, the Pink ball should be spotted from the side of the table rather than the top end.

- It is a requirement for players to set up at the Baulk end of the table unless the venue prohibits this.

- When refereeing in a snooker match and the Cue ball comes to rest touching a ball on, the referee should state "Touching Ball, Please Nominate" . This will remove the doubt about which ball is nominated in the event that the Cue ball makes no contact with another ball on.

- It is considered unacceptable when tossing for break to allow the coin to drop on the floor!

- It is the duty of the referee to call the scores periodically during a match. The loudness should be enough to cover approximately one and    a half tables in distance.