I was playing in a fairly low-key tournament last night, nothing major, $3 buy-in and the first prize was $85. My opponent was a guy who I have a healthy and friendly rivalry with, plenty of needling each other before and after (but not during) games and so on. The tournament is single rack 8 ball, double elimination, and we were both playing in the winners' bracket.
I was playing the high numbers and had 2 balls remaining having run 5 off the break, he had yet to sink a ball. After his shot I was left with the cue ball frozen to his 1 ball, close to the head rail, and they were frozen side-to-side.
I had a natural combination on my 2 remaining balls, and it involved playing away from the ball that I was frozen to. Everyone was watching. I played the shot, made the combination, both balls went in and I was in prime position on the 8 ball.
However...as I played the shot, even though I was 100% sure that I was playing away from his 1 ball, I saw his ball move ever so slightly. I mean 1 less coat of paint on either ball and it would have been a non-event. More of a wobble than anything.
Nobody else saw it and they were waiting for me to sink the 8 ball. However I picked up the cue ball and gave him ball in hand. Given our disposition towards each other he thought I was playing with him, but trust me, if I could run this guy out after he had 1 visit to the table I would :smile:
I went on to win the rack anyway (and the tournament as it happens) but I'm curious about the rules for that specific situation. I should add here that I grew up in the UK playing snooker, and I've only been taking pool seriously for a couple of months so I'm still getting up to speed on some of the more esoteric rules.
Part of me thinks that on a bar box table in less than prime condition, the 1 ball could have been on a slight divot in the cloth and simple wobbled into it once the cue ball was played. Unavoidable in other words. The physics of the situation dictate that I couldn't possibly have actually hit his ball with the cue ball - I'd estimate that I was playing away by at least 30 degrees.
Nonetheless his ball did move as part of the shot and I felt honor bound to call the foul. I don't ever want to win the wrong way.
So...WWYD? And is there a rule, unwritten or not, covering that specific situation?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts!
I was playing the high numbers and had 2 balls remaining having run 5 off the break, he had yet to sink a ball. After his shot I was left with the cue ball frozen to his 1 ball, close to the head rail, and they were frozen side-to-side.
I had a natural combination on my 2 remaining balls, and it involved playing away from the ball that I was frozen to. Everyone was watching. I played the shot, made the combination, both balls went in and I was in prime position on the 8 ball.
However...as I played the shot, even though I was 100% sure that I was playing away from his 1 ball, I saw his ball move ever so slightly. I mean 1 less coat of paint on either ball and it would have been a non-event. More of a wobble than anything.
Nobody else saw it and they were waiting for me to sink the 8 ball. However I picked up the cue ball and gave him ball in hand. Given our disposition towards each other he thought I was playing with him, but trust me, if I could run this guy out after he had 1 visit to the table I would :smile:
I went on to win the rack anyway (and the tournament as it happens) but I'm curious about the rules for that specific situation. I should add here that I grew up in the UK playing snooker, and I've only been taking pool seriously for a couple of months so I'm still getting up to speed on some of the more esoteric rules.
Part of me thinks that on a bar box table in less than prime condition, the 1 ball could have been on a slight divot in the cloth and simple wobbled into it once the cue ball was played. Unavoidable in other words. The physics of the situation dictate that I couldn't possibly have actually hit his ball with the cue ball - I'd estimate that I was playing away by at least 30 degrees.
Nonetheless his ball did move as part of the shot and I felt honor bound to call the foul. I don't ever want to win the wrong way.
So...WWYD? And is there a rule, unwritten or not, covering that specific situation?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts!