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May 4

Snooker

I only just read up on the rules of snooker. I'm curious now... What happens if, when pulling one of the color balls out of the pocket it was just pocketed into, there is another ball covering the spot where that color ball should go? Is it just up to the judge/referee (name for this person?) to put it as close to where it should go as possible? Thanks, †dismas†|^(talk) 21:53, 4 May 2021 (UTC)[reply]

According to Rules_of_snooker#Gameplay: "If that spot is covered by another ball, the ball is placed on the highest available spot. If all spots are occupied, it is placed as close to its own spot as possible in a direct line between that spot and the top cushion, without touching another ball. If there is no room this side of the spot, it will be placed as close to the spot as possible in a straight line towards the bottom cushion, without touching another ball." I find snooker one of the most relaxing sports to watch. ---Sluzzelin talk 22:01, 4 May 2021 (UTC)[reply]

And here's a pdf file of the "Official Rules of the Games of Snooker and English Billiards" by the WPBSA. The rules' Section 3 "The Game", 7. "Spotting Colours" writes:

(e) If a colour has to be spotted and its own spot is occupied, it shall be placed on the highest value spot available.

(f) If there is more than one colour to be spotted and their own spots are occupied, the highest value ball shall take precedence in order of spotting.

(g) If all spots are occupied, the colour shall be placed as near to its own spot as possible, between that spot and the nearest part of the Top Cushion.

(h) In the case of Pink and Black, if all spots are occupied and there is no available space between the relevant spot and the nearest part of the Top Cushion, the colour shall be placed as near to its own spot as possible on the centre longitudinal line of the table.

(i) In all cases, the colour when spotted must not be touching another ball.

(j) A colour, to be properly spotted, must be placed on the spot designated in these Rules.

-Sluzzelin talk 08:35, 5 May 2021 (UTC)[reply]

... and the Canadian website rulesofsnooker.com explains it a bit more vividly, including an aerial-view illustration of the table layout, which is helpful (even though it lacks illustrations of examples where to respot when designated spots are occupied). I'm not sure I get the exact same thing out of WPBSA's rules I posted above and what rulesofsnooker wrote. Maybe there are variations, or maybe it's just beyond my understanding. ---Sluzzelin talk 19:49, 5 May 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks everyone! †dismas†|^(talk) 22:46, 6 May 2021 (UTC)[reply]