hard to call rule?

[eze123]

I don't think I've come across this in any description of rules I've seen. If the second object ball is frozen to a rail and the cueball comes in at an angle and, as close as anyone can tell, hits the ball and rail at about the same time, how do you call it? Do you generally give the benefit of the doubt one way or the other? I would assume you don't count it since hitting at the same time wouldn't constitute hitting three rails before the second ball. I'm not really talking about an official match with a referee - more like a regular game where the contact takes place at the other end of the table and it's difficult to call exactly...?

 

[mbvl]

I don't think I've come across this in any description of rules I've seen. If the second object ball is frozen to a rail and the cueball comes in at an angle and, as close as anyone can tell, hits the ball and rail at about the same time, how do you call it? Do you generally give the benefit of the doubt one way or the other? I would assume you don't count it since hitting at the same time wouldn't constitute hitting three rails before the second ball. I'm not really talking about an official match with a referee - more like a regular game where the contact takes place at the other end of the table and it's difficult to call exactly...?

You have certainly pinpointed the most difficult call in billiards -- trying to pick up the third cushion very close to the second object ball. There is no easy answer for players or referees. Many times you can tell by the action of the cue ball after contact.

In my experience, most three-cushion players bend over backwards to give the benefit of the doubt to the opponent! Here's an example. About ten years ago there was a Carom Corner tournament at Edgie's. The final came down to Sang Lee and Semih Sayginer. Sang lee attempted a very flat cross table with the second object ball frozen to the end cushion. The referee called the shot good, but Sang Lee wasn't so sure. Sayginer said that Sang Lee should take the point. The match was being taped, so they stopped and reran the tape several times. In the end they still couldn't tell for sure, and Sang Lee refused to take the point.

Mark

 

[jimshovak]

The correct way is this: if you are absolutely 100% certain that the point is good, you should take the point. If you are 99% sure, then you do NOT take the point, just like Sang Lee. That is the gentlemen's way.

If you are sitting down and your opponent has a close call, you have to accept your opponent's word for it, even though you may not like it.

If there is a referee, then it makes things easier. If you or your opponent know in advance that the shot may be a close call, then get a third party to make the call BEFORE you shoot the shot. Otherwise, the rule of thumb is this: if you are not 100% sure, then do NOT take the point.

jim