Yapp’s Controversial Tournament-Winning Shot in the 8-Ball World Championship … Was it a Foul?
- By sjm
- Main Forum
- 9 Replies
I wasn't watching the match, so this is my first look at the final shot.
While I figured this was a foul based on cue ball direction, I don't think it was as obvious at the Capito foul vs Lechner in 2025. It's bizarre that referees don't understand the principles governing good and bad hits when two object balls are near each other. So often, cue ball direction and/or speed will make the call obvious, but referees need better training. In the end, the referee clearly lacked the needed understanding to call a foul, and given this, could not logically call a foul here. I view this as a "lack of knowledge" situation, not a "grossly mistaken call" situation. Based on the referee's knowledge, the right call was made. Still, referees who don't have the knowledge to judge these situations should not get the nod in the final of a world championship.
While I figured this was a foul based on cue ball direction, I don't think it was as obvious at the Capito foul vs Lechner in 2025. It's bizarre that referees don't understand the principles governing good and bad hits when two object balls are near each other. So often, cue ball direction and/or speed will make the call obvious, but referees need better training. In the end, the referee clearly lacked the needed understanding to call a foul, and given this, could not logically call a foul here. I view this as a "lack of knowledge" situation, not a "grossly mistaken call" situation. Based on the referee's knowledge, the right call was made. Still, referees who don't have the knowledge to judge these situations should not get the nod in the final of a world championship.