Referee/No Referee - Fouls Rule.

[Big Dave]

During the match between Jeremy Jones (Defending U.S.Open Champion) and Chris Futrell (2004 BCA Junior National Champion) the eight ball was accidentally moved by Chris's hand as he played the three ball into the corner. Double J stands up, moves the eight ball back and the Chris continues to shoot.

I can understand this rule for bar games but it just looks amateur on TV.

My question is, does this rule have any place in a tournament of this calibre. Shouldn't there be a referee for the match table or at least shouldn't they play the rules as if there were a referee?

 

[sjm]

During the match between Jeremy Jones (Defending U.S.Open Champion) and Chris Futrell (2004 BCA Junior National Champion) the eight ball was accidentally moved by Chris's hand as he played the three ball into the corner. Double J stands up, moves the eight ball back and the Chris continues to shoot.

I can understand this rule for bar games but it just looks amateur on TV.

My question is, does this rule have any place in a tournament of this calibre. Shouldn't there be a referee for the match table or at least shouldn't they play the rules as if there were a referee?

Dave, the rule definitely has a place in a tournament of this caliber, especially in an event of this caliber. The principle invloved is that a player should never gain from moving a ball unintentionally. The best way to ensure that this never hapens is to give the non-shooting player the option of replacing the ball moved to its original position, and that's exactly how it is handled. It may not make for good TV, but the application of this rule helps to ensure the fairness of the match. Jones' replacement of the eight in your example is quite proper.

 

[DawgAndy]

I don't know for sure but are they playing "cue ball fouls only"? If they are then that would be the rule. I think the all foul rules kinda suck. I hate to lose a game let alone a match because my shirt sleeve brushed a ball 3 feet away from the cue ball.
just my opinion though.

Andy

 

[RSB-Refugee]

I don't know for sure but are they playing "cue ball fouls only"?
Andy

Andy,
The answer to this one is yes and no. If the match is refereed, it is foul on all balls. If it is not refereed, it is cueball fouls only. If you go and watch long enough you will actually see cue ball fouls, going un-called.
Tracy