Funny, few weeks ago my opponent played a combination, and the ball hung so far / deep, we both laughed in disbelief that if didn't fall. After I shot and my cue ball was rolling to hit in the combo, the ball fell in without being touched. What the heck is the rule there? I told him the rule was I keep shooting. He bought it.The best part was Shane tapped the table to make sure it wasn’t going to fall
Mike Dechaine giving pool one more shot
- Thread starter upindaklub
- Start date
Flakeandrun
Well-known member
There is a WPA 5 second rule. If it falls in after 5 seconds it is returned to the table from where it fell and play resumes as if it never fell. Rule number 8.3
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Yes, that determines whether the ball is considered pocketed or not. And a player should not shoot during that 5 seconds. Thereafter, we have Rule 1.7, including the part about it happening during a shot.
1.7 Balls Settling
A ball may settle slightly after it appears to have stopped, possibly due to slight imperfections in the ball or the table. Unless this causes a ball to fall into a pocket, it is considered a normal hazard of play, and the ball will not be moved back. If a ball falls into a pocket as the result of such settling, it is restored as closely as possible to its original position. If a settling ball falls into a pocket during or just prior to a shot, and this has an effect on the shot, the referee will restore the position and the shot will be replayed. The shooter is not penalized for shooting while a ball is settling. See also 8.3 Ball Pocketed.
Where does it say that a player should not shoot during the 5 seconds??? And what is the penalty if he does?
From your post...'The shooter is not penalized for shooting while a ball is settling'.
Part of Rule 8.3:
If a ball stops near the edge of a pocket, and remains apparently motionless for five seconds, it is not considered pocketed if it later falls into the pocket by itself. See 1.7 Balls Settling for other details. During that five second period, the referee should ensure that no other shot is taken.