Stopped ball

[DynoDan]

Curious: In an unrefereed game, who determines when a ball actually ‘stops’? How long can it waver on the ledge before it is ruled as ‘stopped’? Is it like determining a good (split) hit (shooter gets the benefit of doubt)? A ball may lose it’s basic initial momentum for all intents & purposes, but isn’t the immediate settling process, though barely perceptible, then still a part of the shot? The official rules do not specify a time limit.

 

[Poolhall60561]

As a courtesy and just a guess, 10 seconds if it’s hanging on the edge of a pocket.

 

[skor]

Count 5 seconds

 

[DynoDan]

When we were kids, I think we counted it as ‘pocketed’ if it fell before the next player could shoot. Of course, that often led to arguments about bumping the table or stomping on the floor . Personally, I believe that SHOULD be the rule, and your opponent, acting as ref, could legitimately then call a foul if he honestly thought you did try to interfere. The official rule would still apply though re: restoration, especially if a delayed drop effected outcome after the next shot.

 

[Bob Jewett]

Curious: In an unrefereed game, who determines when a ball actually ‘stops’? How long can it waver on the ledge before it is ruled as ‘stopped’?... The official rules do not specify a time limit.

The official rules do specify a time limit. Here's the applicable part of the rule:

If a ball stops near the edge of a pocket, and remains apparently motionless for five seconds after the shot is over, 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, play is suspended.​

 

[epoxypop]

The official rules do specify a time limit. Here's the applicable part of the rule:

If a ball stops near the edge of a pocket, and remains apparently motionless for five seconds after the shot is over, 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, play is suspended.​

So what happens next, is it the opponents shot, if it falls after 5 seconds?

 

[Bob Jewett]

So what happens next, is it the opponents shot, if it falls after 5 seconds?

It's possible that it's still the same player's shot. Maybe he knocked a second ball towards a pocket and it hung on the lip.

If a hanging ball falls after five seconds, it is put back. If the falling has an effect on the shot in progress, the shot is replayed.