Break Rules

[Brad]

There was a lot of discussion at the tour event yesterday regarding foul breaks. Just thought I'd clarify the rules here.

Rule F. The Break

4.
1. The Break will be deemed a "Fair Break" if:-
1. At least one Colour is potted.
and/or
2. Four Object Balls (at least) are driven to a cushion.
2. If the Break is not a Fair Break it is a Non-Standard Foul and:-
1. The opponent is awarded two visits.
2. The balls are re-racked.
3. The opponent re-starts the game and is under the same obligation to achieve a Fair Break.
3.

2. If the break is not a Fair Break and the Cue Ball is potted, the penalty for failure to perform a Fair Break applies. (see (b) above).


So to summarise; regardless of whether a ball is potted, you still have to hit four object balls off cushions. The opponent does not get a choice of whether or not to re-rack the balls. It is a mandatory re-rack with two visits.

[tonymccallion]

Doesnt it say pot a colour AND/OR four balls hit a cushion? Meaning u only need to do one of them?

[Brad]

No that means pot and hit four, and if you dont pot then you must hit four.
I must admit I thought potting meant you didnt have to hit four but the wording says you must. I'll check it to be sure.

[raymack]

From reading the rule over and over again I would say the best way to put it is that regardless of whether or not a ball is potted off the break 4 balls have to hit a cushion !

I think they deliberatley make these rules difficult to read and understand at times !

[Brad]

That's teh way I read it too. You're right though, someone with some common sense needs to re-write the rules in a clear fashion!

[tonymccallion]

The Break will be deemed a "Fair Break" if:-
1. At least one Colour is potted.
AND/OR
2. Four Object Balls (at least) are driven to a cushion.

[tonymccallion]

surely that means pot a ball
AND four balls hit
OR four balls hit

[Brad]

exactly but the OR bit means if you dont pot then 4 must hit

[tonymccallion]

Yeah but u dont need 4 to hit if u pot hence the OR
So as mentioned in your first post u said u have to hit cushion with 4 balls regardless of wether you pot but u only have to either pot or hit four onto cushion.

[Brad]

That's what I thought until I looked today. The "AND" word means you must do both though. And the "OR" bit means if you don't pot you have to hit 4.

[raymack]

I just spent ages typing a reply to this only to get a 'busy server' page !! which mean i lost the entire post !!

Any way I agree with Brad, the rule should be simplified to read 'On the break 4 object balls must hit a cushion.'

[tonymccallion]

Ive read it again and see what you mean.
If i was to break, 8 balls split from pack and they all pot
but only 3 of the remaining 7 hit a cushion
then its a foul break?
surely that cant be right?

[raymack]

I have said all along there are grey areas within the rules - this is definitly one of them.

When you think about it potting a ball throughout the rest of the game eliminates the need for any ball to hit a cushion .

Think this 'fair break' scenario needs to be clarified.

[Brad]

Tony that's a very good way of putting it! I'll seek some official clarification from the rule makers!

[Brad]

CLARIFICATION:

The rule is as we first thought before I checked them; If you pot an object ball off the break it doesn't matter how many hit cushions.

The rule is therefore written incorrectly. They need to delete the "AND" from the rule.

Confusing!