OK, just got back from the pool room. Here's the story.
Two guys are playing nine ball for MEGA BUCKS, 8 ahead. Score is Player A up 5 games ahead. Player B has to leave the table and does so, while the other guy is running out. Player A (the guy running out) runs a couple of balls while Player B is away from the table. Before B gets back, Player A scratches leaving an easy 6, 7, 8 & 9 on the table. Player A goes and gets the cue ball and places it on the table in a position where the six ball is not an easy shot. Player B returns to the table and sees the medium difficult shot. Player A says nothing to Player B and allows Player B to shoot the medium difficult shot. Player B shoots, misses and hangs up the 6 ball, leaving an even easier out for the 6, 7, 8, & 9.
If the cue ball had been left where it lay after the shot, Player B would of course realize that Player A had scratched. This was on a ball return table FWIW but it wouldn't make any difference if it was a leather pocketed table.
Of coure, we have all heard the unwritten rule, "If you snooze, you lose".
Does it matter if you are betting thousands of dollars per set or just playing in a tournament or even plaing for small stakes?
Do you tell your opponent when he returns to the table that you scratched while he went to the bar, his car, the cigarette machine, the coke machine, the bathroom or wherever?
Sometimes, you just have to go and can't wait for your opponent to finish his run.
What if you were betting on the side with Player B. Do you tell him that the other guy scratched when you see he is getting ready to shoot the 6 ball from where it lays?
What if the guy is a nice guy and gambles good with everyone? Does that make a difference to you as a spectator?
What about it? Do you stick your nose in other people's business? (For me, I typically don't).
What if you are Player A, do you knowingly let Player B shoot the 6 ball from where YOU placed the cue ball, without telling him that you scratched when he left the table?