Bob -- This isn't a question pertaining to straight pool only, but I figured you'd be most likely to see it if I posted it in this forum.
The WPBA rules include Rule 6 (Fouls). The preamble reads: "The following actions are fouls at pool when included in the specific rules of the game being played. If several fouls occur on one shot, only the most serious one is enforced. If a foul is not called before the next shot begins, the foul is assumed not to have happened."
The fouls that are then listed are:
6.1 Cue Ball Scratch or off the Table
6.2 Wrong Ball First
6.3 No Rail after Contact
6.4 No Foot on Floor
6.5 Ball Driven off the Table
6.6 Touched Ball
6.7 Double Hit / Frozen Balls
6.8 Push Shot
6.9 Balls Still Moving
6.10 Bad Cue Ball Placement
6.11 Bad Play from Behind the Head String
6.12 Cue Stick on the Table
6.13 Playing out of Turn
6.14 Three Consecutive Fouls
6.15 Slow Play
6.16 Ball Rack Template Foul
6.17 Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Is the "only the most serious one is enforced" language just poorly worded and unnecessary? Is the word "serious," as used here (as part of the string of words reading "the most serious one"), intended to refer to "serious fouls," or not? When trying to answer these questions, I thought about 14.1 context, starting with consideration of what "serious fouls" exist in 14.1.
There are only two "serious fouls" in 14.1. They are listed in 4.11: 6.14 (Three Consecutive Fouls) and 6.17 (Unsportsmanlike Conduct). The rest of the above-listed fouls are "standard fouls" in 14.1. The penalty for the serious foul of three consecutive standard fouls is prescribed: 15 points and re-rack (which is a penalty that is distinct and in addition to the one point penalties for each of the three consecutive standard fouls). The penalty for the serious foul of unsportsmanlike conduct is in the referee's discretion.
It sure seems that the "only the most serious one is enforced" language can’t be a way of saying that if both a standard foul and a serious foul occur at the same time, only the serious foul is enforced, because we know that an individual, third consecutive standard foul is enforced (loss of one point) at the same time that the serious foul of three consecutive fouls is enforced (15 points and re-rack penalty).
In the case of there being two standard fouls occurring on the same shot, I don’t see how this “most serious” language comes into play. Take, for example, a shot where the player both unintentionally touches an OB with his shirt sleeve while stroking the CB, and unintentionally fails to execute a called safe shot because he doesn’t get a ball to a rail. Which is "the most serious" of these fouls? Does it matter? Isn't the player penalized just one point?
I may/must be missing something.
Thanks in advance for your input.
Seth
The WPBA rules include Rule 6 (Fouls). The preamble reads: "The following actions are fouls at pool when included in the specific rules of the game being played. If several fouls occur on one shot, only the most serious one is enforced. If a foul is not called before the next shot begins, the foul is assumed not to have happened."
The fouls that are then listed are:
6.1 Cue Ball Scratch or off the Table
6.2 Wrong Ball First
6.3 No Rail after Contact
6.4 No Foot on Floor
6.5 Ball Driven off the Table
6.6 Touched Ball
6.7 Double Hit / Frozen Balls
6.8 Push Shot
6.9 Balls Still Moving
6.10 Bad Cue Ball Placement
6.11 Bad Play from Behind the Head String
6.12 Cue Stick on the Table
6.13 Playing out of Turn
6.14 Three Consecutive Fouls
6.15 Slow Play
6.16 Ball Rack Template Foul
6.17 Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Is the "only the most serious one is enforced" language just poorly worded and unnecessary? Is the word "serious," as used here (as part of the string of words reading "the most serious one"), intended to refer to "serious fouls," or not? When trying to answer these questions, I thought about 14.1 context, starting with consideration of what "serious fouls" exist in 14.1.
There are only two "serious fouls" in 14.1. They are listed in 4.11: 6.14 (Three Consecutive Fouls) and 6.17 (Unsportsmanlike Conduct). The rest of the above-listed fouls are "standard fouls" in 14.1. The penalty for the serious foul of three consecutive standard fouls is prescribed: 15 points and re-rack (which is a penalty that is distinct and in addition to the one point penalties for each of the three consecutive standard fouls). The penalty for the serious foul of unsportsmanlike conduct is in the referee's discretion.
It sure seems that the "only the most serious one is enforced" language can’t be a way of saying that if both a standard foul and a serious foul occur at the same time, only the serious foul is enforced, because we know that an individual, third consecutive standard foul is enforced (loss of one point) at the same time that the serious foul of three consecutive fouls is enforced (15 points and re-rack penalty).
In the case of there being two standard fouls occurring on the same shot, I don’t see how this “most serious” language comes into play. Take, for example, a shot where the player both unintentionally touches an OB with his shirt sleeve while stroking the CB, and unintentionally fails to execute a called safe shot because he doesn’t get a ball to a rail. Which is "the most serious" of these fouls? Does it matter? Isn't the player penalized just one point?
I may/must be missing something.
Thanks in advance for your input.
Seth