Snooker - Angled Following A Foul.

[ToraToraTora]

I played a lot and know (knew!) that you can choose to play from hand if angled following a foul, though recent comments from the commentators on the TV have made me think that rule has been abolished. I cannot find any definitive statement in the current rules or indeed anywhere. Any ideas?

[melv16]

I think it's a free ball. I could be wrong, though.

[PeelerPal]

I thought you could play from hand if angled on any shot..

[ToraToraTora]

melv16: it's never been a free ball the table itself cannot be deemed to be snookering.

Peeler: It's never been after any shot, only after a foul but Dennis Taylor earlier implied that it was no longer a choice and I cannot find it in the latest rule book but it is in older publications.

[PeelerPal]

I stand corrected. In this competition though there have been a few slipped decisions. Ali Carter (v Alan McManus) was lining up a shot and the referee asked him if he was going to nominate a colour, when it is not up to the referee to advise players. luckily it did not affect the outcome but if it had I would be complaining.

[ABerrant]

Prior to 2011 the rules for snooker included specific reference to an "angled ball", such as when a referee must declare such a situation and the options for play.

Since that date the rules have made no reference to "angled" balls.

http://www.wpbsa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/official_rules_edited_05.11.14_web_version_1.pdf

[ButtClown]

This was a very odd rule but was in the referee handbook of international snooker rules. The little Blue one if you've been around a while. The rule was changed, I think around the `90's. It was a very obscure rule and when invoking it you needed to have that handbook nearby because even experienced snooker players didn't know it. In essense the is the only time that this would apply when these criteria were met. If a player was angled after a foul had been comitted the player could make the other player shoot again, he/she could elect a free ball, or, and again this is the only time that this could be done, the player could opt to pick up the cue-ball and shoot from hand. It rarely happened of course but now it is a moot point. Hope that helps.