9-ball rule change July 1, 2022

 

RULE CHANGE! RULE CHANGE! RULE CHANGE! 


Changes in the Rules do not occur often, but they do occur. Such is the case with the 9-Ball Rules effective July 1, 2022. 


Snooker and Carom, two old dogs who play each other often, are in a 9-Ball game. Snooker is at the table shooting. There are only two object balls left: the 8-Ball and the 9-Ball. As Snooker shoots at the 8-Ball, he pockets the 8- Ball, he pockets the 9-Ball, and he scratches on the shot. After he finishes his shot, there are not any balls left on the table. Carom comes to the table, retrieves the 9-Ball, spots the 9-Ball, retrieves the cue ball, and is about to shoot the 9-Ball into a pocket when Snooker jumps to his paws and says that the 8-Ball must also be spotted. Carom says no, that only the 9-Ball should be spotted. Since they cannot agree on what balls should be spotted under these circumstances, you are the referee called to the table. You make the call!!!! 


Snooker has his (pre 2022- 2023) Rule Book out and is quoting the third paragraph of Rule H. Three Consecutive Fouls, which provides as follows: 


“When there are only two object balls on the table and a player scratches while pocketing the ball before the nine - it shall be be brought up and placed on the footspot. (Using another ball from the tray.) 


Snooker says that is exactly what has happened here since both the 8-Ball and the 9-Ball were on the table when he pocketed both and scratched. Carom on the other hand begins to chide Snooker as being behind the times. Carom says that effective July 1, 2022, the 9-Ball Rules were modified and that the language that Snooker was quoting has now been deleted. Carom says that Rule H. Three Consecutive Fouls now provides as follows: 


“If the nine ball is pocketed on a foul or push out or driven off the table, it is spotted. No other object is ever spotted” 


Carom claims that the new Rule should apply since it is post July 1, 2022, Snooker scratched, which is a foul, and he pocketed the 9-Ball. Therefore, the only ball that is to be spotted is the 9-Ball. Carom is correct. The New Rule eliminates the need to spot the ball before the 9- Ball if it is pocketed and the shooter has scratched. The incoming shooter will have ball in hand and may shoot the 9-Ball. Under the above facts, it is immaterial that all of the balls were pocketed (the 8-Ball, 9-Ball and cue ball). The ball before the nine is NOT to be spotted and will remain in the table. The incoming Shooter, Carom, will have ball in hand, and Carom can shoot the 9-Ball.


Fred A. Johnson

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