Miss Rule

WHERE A PLAYER CAN SEE A PART OF A BALL ON:

Where the striker can see part of the ball on for e.g. half or quarter ball, or even a fine edge, then he must hit it. If he fails to do so then it is an automatic Foul and a Miss, (unless snookers are required). The non-striker has the same three options as before. If the cue ball is replaced and the striker continues to miss the ball on the referee will call Foul and a Miss until the situation arises where either player requires snookers. And the referee is satisfied that the Miss was not intentional. The easy answer is if you can see it then you must hit it.

WHERE A PLAYER CAN SEE A FULL BALL:

The definition of a full ball in this case is where there was a clear path in a straight line from the cue ball to a ball that was on or could be on, such that central, full-ball, contact was available. (In the case of Reds, this is to be taken as a full diameter of any Red that is not obstructed by a colour). Full ball or Central contact is not to be confused with the free ball situation, which is that you must be able to strike the extreme outside edges of the ball on. In this case you only have to be able to strike the ball on in the centre. Now where the striker can see a full ball and misses the referee will call Foul and a Miss. The non-striker has the same three options as before. If the cue ball is replaced and the striker misses the cue ball for a second time the referee will call Foul and a Miss. (Regardless of the difference in the scores). And if the non-striker requests the referee to replace the cue ball (and note only after being asked to replace the cue ball) the offender will be warned by the referee that a third failure would result in the frame being awarded to his opponent. When any ball is being replaced after a miss, both the offender and the next player will be consulted as to its position, after which the referee's decision shall be final. During such consultation, if either player should touch any ball in play, he shall be penalised as if he were the striker, without affecting the order of play. The ball touched shall be replaced by the referee, to his satisfaction, if necessary, even if it was picked up.

After the cue ball has been replaced under this Rule, Where there is a clear path in a straight line from the cue ball to any part of any ball that is or could be on and the striker fouls any ball, including the cue ball while preparing to play a stroke, a Miss will not be called if a stroke has not been played. The appropriate penalty will be imposed. All balls disturbed will be replaced.

Here is a situation that can be confusing.

Picture the Black on its spot and the majority of the reds still in their original position. The striker has potted a red and finished up between the reds and the black, he can obviously see the Black but it's a very difficult shot, as he has to play across all the reds. He nominates Pink, which he is obviously snookered on, plays across the table and misses by the barest of margins, the referee will call Foul and a Miss. (I will explain why soon). The non-striker asks for the cue ball to be replaced and the striker again nominates the Pink and misses it.

This time the referee will call Foul and a Miss and issue a warning, the reason being is because the striker has always been able to play the black, which he has, full ball or central contact. He has to hit the ball nominated. (He could of cause nominate another colour if he so wished. Any colour could be the ball on if he nominated it, always remembering that when a player is snookered on a colour after potting a Red he has the option to change the colour at any time).

PLEASE NOTE: There is often confusion over this Rule. The only time you can warn a player that he could lose the frame because of the next stroke is when he can see a ball on, full or central contact. Many confuse this Rule with the situation where a striker can see a part ball. It does not apply to this section.

A Miss-cue, provided the striker did not hit the ball on is regarded as a Foul and a Miss.