1.—What are the rules of nomination billiards?
There are no rules, as such, of nomination billiards It is entirely a question of pre-arrangement by the players, but it is usual that only the stroke nominated should be scored. For instance, a cannon might be nominated and a five shot accidentally made. Only two would be scored.
2.—If a player at pool strikes a ball.that he is on and pockets another ball with that ball, does he lose a life or does the player of the ball pocketed lose a life? Also, if he should pocket two balls or more by a similar stroke, does the player of the ball first pocketed lose a life or do the players of the various balls lose a life each? Also, can a player make a cannon to pot a ball providing he strikes the ball on first?
If a player's ball strikes the ball he is "on," and another ball is pocketed by the same stroke, the owner of the ball pocketed loses a life. Also, if two or more balls are pocketed by the same stroke, the owner of each of the balls so pocketed loses a life, provided the striker's ball first hit the ball that he was "on." The point is covered by Rule 10, of the revised rules of pool, which states that "Any number of balls may be pocketed by the same stroke, if the first impact of the cue-ball strikes the ball 'on.'" It is perfectly legitimate for a player to make a cannon in order to pot a ball, provided his ball first strikes the ball that is "on."
3.—Was the result of the recent match between Smith and Falkiner, in which Smith won by 32 in 16,000 up, a record for closeness? If not, what is?
It is not a record, as in the professional tournament of 1907-8 Diggle defeated Reece by 30 points in their heat.
4.—The red ball is on the spot. A player plays a loser, misses, and flukes the red in one of the bottom pockets. Is this to be counted as one of the only two pots that he is allowed to make from the spot?
The fact of the red ball being pocketed by a fluke makes no difference, and it can only be pocketed once more in succession from the spot.
5.—If you know of a good book on snooker pool I should be much obliged if you would put me on to it.
6.—Rule 12 says: "A player may not make two misses in successive turns unless he or the opponent scores after the first miss, or a double baulk occurs."
A and B are playing. A gives a miss, then B gives a miss. A cannot give another miss the next turn, but my contention is that after that he can do what he likes. Am I right?
Yes. A further miss may be given by a player after each player has struck an object ball and competed the turn in which he does so, whether he has scored or not.
7.—In an attempted gentle run through off the white into a middle pocket both balls became locked below the level of the table. The ruling given was that the striker's innings came to an end, and that the balls had to be spotted; but as both balls were virtually in the pocket a four shot was claimed by the other side.
This point has been referred to the Billiards Association and Control Council, which considers, on the facts before it, that both balls being off the bed of the table should be considered pocketed.