rule question - need confirmation

[Njhustler1]

lets say there's two balls left on the table, and they're both located behind the head string. my opponent scratches and I have ball in hand behind the headstring.

we're supposed to spot the ball that's closest to the rail...right?

and also, can i hit the ball that's left behind the headstring, as long as the cue ball ventures past the headstring then comes back?

 

[Chris_Lynch]

You can spot the ball closest to the headstring if you desire. You can leave the balls in the kitchen but the cueball must travel out of the kitchen and hit something (a rail in this case if there are no balls there) before returning to the kitchen. A masse out of the kitchen and then back isn't considered legal here I believe.

 

[Njhustler1]

so its the ball closest to the headstring, not the head rail, that gets spotted? and you're saying the incoming player has the option of spotting it or just leaving it where it is?

 

[14-1StraightMan]

Head String

so its the ball closest to the headstring, not the head rail, that gets spotted? and you're saying the incoming player has the option of spotting it or just leaving it where it is?

Yes, the ball closest to the Head String may be spotted if the incoming players choses to do so.
If both balls are equal to the Head String, then he was a choice of which one.
If he leaves them both behind the Head String. He must shoot across the Head String and come back into the Kitchen.
I hope this helps.

 

[Bob Jewett]

Here's the rule. See the second paragraph.

 

[Njhustler1]

thanks everyone!