As far as professional snooker is concerned the answer to this question is, "No". For example; suppose a player pots the black and by some odd lapse in concentration the referee, spots it on the pink spot. Suppose further that the striker is down on his shot cueing to pot a red into a baulk pocket and has not noticed the referee's error. The player pots the red, screws up the table for the black, and to his surprise finds it on the pink spot. Until a short time ago this would have been a foul stroke - playing with a ball incorrectly spotted. It is - in professional snooker - no longer a foul, and the player may quite legitimately pot the incorrectly spotted black.
In billiards it is not so, and an example occurred in the recent Grand Slam played in Aldershot. In the first 150 of a seven-game match, Geet Sethi (v Peter Gilchrist) was on a break that looked like turning into a, 'run-out'. The Indian potted the red from the spot which left him needing five for game. However, as his break stood at 97 he also needed to cross the baulk line. He potted the red a second time with strong screw and side to take the cue-ball into baulk and back up the table. The referee spotted the red on the billiards spot and Sethi knocked it in for what he thought was game shot. Not so; his opponent - well within his rights - claimed a foul stroke for a third pot from the spot. Gilchrist had the balls set up and ran to game. And so we have the question, should a player be penalised for a referee's mistake - or should there be a rule change to bring professional billiards into line with professional snooker?
There is here no implied criticism of the referee in question. Refereeing is a difficult enough job at the best of times and keeping track of whether or not a player has crossed the baulk-line within the specified limit only adds to the difficulties. It is beyond me how referees managed in the old days when, in addition to calling the huge breaks of Lindrum and Co., they had to keep track of baulk-line crossings, runs of hazards, and nursery cannon limits. For those readers who may not be aware of the fact, professional billiards is played to a rule which states that a player must make a stroke which takes the cue ball over the baulk line at least once in a century break. When the rule is complied with the referee calls, "Baulk line crossing." If the crossing is not made early in the break he warns the player when he has reached eighty points in a break. This rule applies only to professional billiards and only to those matches which are played to the 150 format. The idea was to make it more difficult for players to run to game in just one visit. The rule has had some effect but the top players seem to have little difficulty with it, usually leaving an angle on a pot to take the cue-ball into baulk and back up the table.
It was some years ago that that great enthusiast Ivan Stevenage sought the advice of John Barrie, and particularly advice about cues. Barrie was one of the finest of English players, rather unfortunate in that he was at his peak during, and just after, the war years, and at a time when the professional game was all but extinct. In answer to his enquiry asking for advice about cues, and about the possibility of lessons, Ivan received a reply which is in part reproduced below.
"Dear Mr. Stevenage,
In answer to your questions, it is very important not to have a whippy cue, and not too sturdy either. The narrower the tip the whippier it will be. It is really a question about your own feelings on the matter. Some of the stuff that people play with and enjoy is incredible. My advice is that if you are happy about something then stick with it. My cue was found in a cue-rack and as soon as I played with it I knew that it was what I wanted. It is 11mm, fairly sturdy but has a light whip, 4ft 8ins in length.
But whilst this advice could be important, nothing matters unless you are striking the ball well. I knew that I was going to strike the ball well with the cue that I had chosen - with practice of course. I have had it for nearly 50 years, I have played with others thinking that I might find something better but I never did. You just get convinced that the cue you are playing with is, "you," it's an extension of yourself. Ask the man who makes the 300 breaks, he's played a lot and seems so fluent, he's fluent because he's happy, and he's happy because he's got the right cue, or the one that is right for him.
So bear in mind the statistics but they are not the complete answer, in the end it is your heart that makes the decision. Your standard of breaks tell me that you have probably played for some time but not really improved a great deal. You probably do need lessons, after all, without the right knowledge of the way to go on, no cue will give you the satisfaction you are looking for.
Accuracy in striking the ball is very important. First of all get steady at the table. Your right leg must be straightened if you are a right-handed player. That is your anchor. Have a good firm bridge, your fingers straight. Hold the butt loosely but in control. From now on the only thing is to move your cue and cue arm. Place the white ball on the centre spot of the 'D.' address the ball in the centre and play the ball up and down the table as hard as you can. Try to make the cue-ball come back onto the tip. Always bring the cue back and play straight through the ball, and always try to hit the ball where you address it. This is a very difficult shot but ten minutes practice at this per day will improve your game. Whilst you are practising this don't play any shot with side in a game unless you know what you are doing and most people don't. Try to play any shot according to the way you have practised. I wish you luck and enclose a small diagram for your reference. Best wishes John Barrie."