Rule Change - Winter 1998/99

At the 1998 AGM, it was proposed that Manningtree & District Pool League incorporates an amendment to the official rules. There was some debate and finally a vote was carried to change the rules so that in summary:-

Following a foul, the oncoming player may EITHER leave the cue ball where it is and take two visits with a free table on the first shot (as per the 'old rules'), OR ask the referee to remove the cue ball so that he can play from baulk, losing his right to a free table unless he is still snookered.

An attempt has been made to incorporate the appropriate amendments into the rules as follows. Please feel free to Feed Back your views on the changes either positive or negative :-

For Manningtree & District Pool League Winter 1998/99

Rules K and M should include:-

K. Standard Fouls

Standard Fouls are to be called by the referee as soon as they occur and the player committing the foul immediately loses control of the table. The referee then awards two visits and a free table to the opponent (suggested call 'Foul, two visits, free table first shot').

M. Serious Fouls

Serious Fouls are to be called by the referee as soon as they occur and the player committing the foul immediately loses control of the table. The referee will replace the balls as near as possible to the positions they were in before the Serious Foul was committed and award two visits and a free table to the opponent (suggested call 'Serious Foul, two visits, free table first shot').

Following a Standard Foul or Serious Foul, the oncoming player may choose one of two options:-

a) play from where the ball lies and take advantage of the free table whereby he may, for his first shot only, play any ball including black and pot any ball or balls without penalty except that he may only pot the black if he has none of his own group left OR

b) ask the referee to remove the Cue Ball so as to allow the player to play from Baulk. The player loses his right to a free table unless he is snookered from all possible positions behind the Baulk line (see rule E.2.e)

Note that if the Cue Ball is potted or goes 'Off the Table' (Rule U) under a Standard Foul, other than on the break, the oncoming player plays from Baulk and is awarded a free table for his first shot regardless of whether or not he is snookered.

Rule L. Non-Standard Fouls and Rule N. Loss of Frame Fouls

Remain unchanged.

Rule R. Foul Snookers and Rule S. Foul Jaw Snookers

May be generally disregarded as they are superseded by the award of a free table following any Standard Foul or Serious Foul.