SNOOKER SHOOT OUT COMPETITION RULES

Timing

1.
    Each match will be played over a pre-determined length of time.
2.
    Players ‘lag’ to decide who breaks off (winner decides).
    A Lag involves both players simultaneously striking a cue ball from the baulk line to hit the top cushion         and rebound back down the table. The player whose ball finishes nearest to the baulk cushion (in the             opinion of the referee) wins the Lag.
3.
    The shot clock will be initiated by the timing official at a juncture dependent on circumstances. It will stop     at the exact moment the player strikes the cue ball.
4.
    Maximum stroke durations:
    (a)
        for a stroke commencing during the first part of the game, the cue ball must be struck within a                     pre-determined number of seconds;
    (b)
        for a stroke commencing in the second half of the game, the cue ball must be struck within a                         pre-determined number of seconds.
        Failure to commence a stroke within the allotted time will result in a time foul being called. A five point         penalty will be awarded and the incoming player receives the cue ball from the referee and plays from         ‘in hand ’.
5.
    Under normal circumstances the shot clock will be started the instant the balls come to rest or, after a             potted colour has been re-spotted. If the cue ball is spinning on its axis this will be deemed a moving ball.     Deciding when the balls have come to rest is the referee’s call.
6.
    Providing the cue-ball has been struck before a timer buzzer is heard, then all points foul or fair shall             count.

Fouls

7.
    Following a foul, for the purposes of this event,‘in hand’ shall mean the cue ball can be placed anywhere     on the table and the player does not have the option of asking his opponent to ‘play again’.
8.
    All fouls will result in the incoming player having the ball ‘in hand’.
    The shot clock starts when the incoming player receives the cue-ball from the referee.
9.
    At least one ball must strike a cushion or enter a pocket in every stroke.
    Failure to do so will result in a foul with a five point penalty awarded and the incoming player will                 receive the cue ball from the referee and play from ‘in hand’.
10.
    There is no Foul and a Miss rule and any fouls will result in the incoming player playing from ‘in hand’.
11.
    The penalty for all time fouls will be five points and the incoming player plays his stroke from ‘in hand’.
12.
    If a player is not in a position to receive the cue ball from the referee following a foul, the referee will         place the cue ballon the table and the incoming player’s shot time will start. The player may then pick the     cue ball up and place it where he so wishes but the stroke must commence within the allocated time.

Other rules

13.
    If a player asks the referee to clean a ball the shot clock will not be stopped and ball cleaning will take         place during the player’s shot time.
    However, the referee can always call ‘time out’ if, for instance, the referee decides that multiple balls             need cleaning.
14.
    Should an external party distract a player during his allotted stroke time the referee will have the power     to either stop or re-set the shot clock.
    Indeed, at any point, a referee is allowed to call time out and decide whether the shot clock is re-started     or re-set.
15.
    hould a player believe a ball has been re-spotted incorrectly the clock will continue unless the referee         decides otherwise.
16.
    Should the scores be tied at the end of the 10 minute frame, a sudden death blue ball shoot out will             commence. The blue ball will be placed on its spot and the cue-ball must be struck from within the “D”.         The player who broke off in the frame will have the first attempt at potting the blue and the first player to     pot it will win the frame.
17.
    In the case of a ‘stalemate’ the players are responsible for resolving the situation within the allocated             timescale. A re-rack is NOT permitted.

Etiquette

18.
    Due to the need for speedy play, players will not be deemed to be breaching etiquette should they remain     closer to the table than normal in readiness for their next shot though not in his opponent’s eye-line.

    Timing Official

19.
    The referee is best placed to decide, regardless of circumstance, when the shot clock should be initiated.     For each shot, the timing official will start the clock on the referee’s verbal signal - which would generally     be the calling of the score, thereby indicating the player is safe to play on, or by other verbal indication.
20.
    The timing official should be in a position to see when the shot is played
    - the instant the tip of the cue makes contact with the cue ball.
    If there is a need for the referee to make a decision the shot clock will not be started until the referee has     reached that decision. He will then signal - start.
    You cannot make your opponent play again.
21.
    Should there be an electronic shot-clock malfunction the referee’s decision will be final. The shot clock         will start when the referee verbally signals start to the timing official.
22.
    The referee is the ultimate arbiter and his decision is final.
    Should any eventuality not be covered by these rules the referee’s decision will stand and, where                 applicable, it will set a precedent