VNEA rule change: 2023 The Push Shot rule has been updated, removing the 45 degree requirement.  OLD RULE : 7. PUSH SHOT FOULS: It is a foul if the cue ball is pushed by the cue tip, with contact being maintained for more than the momentary time commensurate with a stroked shot. (Such shots are usually referred to as push shots.) With a cue ball and object ball frozen, shooting the shot from any angle other than at least 45 degrees above, or at least 45 degrees to the right or at least 45 degrees to the left of center from the straight line of the frozen balls is a foul and must be so called. NEW RULE : 7. PUSH SHOT FOULS: It is a foul if the cue ball is pushed by the cue tip, with contact being maintained for more than the momentary time commensurate with a normal and legally stroked shot. (Such shots are usually referred to as push shots.) This means a player can  shoot through a frozen ball (or rail) as long as the tip only has 'momentary contact ' with the cue ball. When r...

  RULE CHANGE! RULE CHANGE! RULE CHANGE!   Changes in the Rules do not occur often, but they do occur, and we have a new Rule affecting both 8-Ball and 9-Ball Rules effective July 1, 2023. Snooker and Carom, two old dogs who play each other often, are in an 8-Ball game.  Snooker is at the table shooting. Snooker’s cue ball is frozen to one of his object balls. Snooker gets down on his shot and takes a normal and legally stroked shot without elevating his cue to a 45 degree angle. Carom is astonished that Snooker would have a lapse of memory as to the requirements of the VNEA when shooting the cue ball when it is frozen to an object ball. Carom calls a foul. Snooker does not acknowledge that a foul has occurred, and you as the referee are called to the table.  You make the call!!!! Carom is adamant that Snooker has fouled since he failed to elevate his cue stick to a 45 degree angle. Snooker now has his brand new (2023-2024) Rule Book out and is quoting the seventh p...