Ambiguous hit -- how to rule?

Bob Jewett

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In some 3-cushion shots it is impossible to be sure that the point scored or not. One example is when the last ball is close to a cushion and you need the cushion for your third rail. That's pretty obviously a problem.

Another example problem shot that is mostly overlooked (as a problem) is a ticky where the first object ball is less than a ball from the first/second cushion. In that situation it is sometimes possible for the cue ball to still be in the cushion when it contacts the object ball and it is then driven back deeper into the cushion. The action looks just like the situation where the cue ball has left the cushion. (It is possible for a ball to go into the cushion as much 10mm.)

I think that if the cue ball has not left the cushion at first ball contact you shouldn't get credit for two contacts since the contact was continuous. If that's right, how should the shot be called if the cue ball does not visibly leave the cushion before contacting the first ball?
 
I would call the ticky good. As long as the cueball acted like it hit rail first and didn't follow through the object ball off the rail performing like it got back to the rail, good shot..
 
I would call the ticky good. As long as the cueball acted like it hit rail first and didn't follow through the object ball off the rail performing like it got back to the rail, good shot..
So stated generally:

If it is difficult to decide whether a shot was good or bad, and it has the same action as would be expected for a good shot, it will be considered good.​
 
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