Several prominent figures in the world of snooker, such as Ronnie O’Sullivan, Shaun Murphy, Kyren Wilson, and Mark Selby, have shared their thoughts on a rule they believe needs revision in the sport. During an interview with TNT Sports, top snooker professionals were asked about the one change they would like to see in snooker rules, and a particular regulation was consistently highlighted.
Seven-time world champion O’Sullivan, among others, has advocated for a review of the contentious ‘miss’ rule, which appears to be a contentious issue for the elite players. The current rule dictates that if a player fails to make contact with the designated ball, known as a ‘miss,’ the referee may penalize them for not executing a satisfactory attempt.
A ‘miss’ is typically called when the referee perceives that a player deliberately chose a more challenging shot over an easier escape from a snooker situation. It can also be enforced if a player underplays a shot, indicating a lack of effort.
Upon declaration of a ‘foul and a miss,’ the opponent of the offending player can choose to reset the balls for a retake or leave them as is on the table. If the referee continues to call ‘foul and a miss,’ the player may find themselves stuck in a cycle of repeating the same shot while their opponent accumulates points without having to play a shot.
Furthermore, the ‘three-miss rule’ stipulates that if a player fails to make contact with the correct ball three times consecutively, they automatically lose the frame to their opponent. This rule has been a subject of debate within the sport, with critics arguing that its enforcement can be inconsistent, slow down matches, and confuse casual viewers.
In response to what changes they would make to the game, O’Sullivan and Wilson both expressed their desire to modify the ‘miss rule,’ limiting the number of misses allowed to three. Selby also weighed in, proposing a restriction where a player can only miss three times before conceding the frame, highlighting instances where a player could win due to their opponent’s repeated misses.
Former world champion Murphy offered a different perspective, criticizing the potential manipulation of the ‘miss rule’ and suggesting a revision to the ‘foul and a miss’ regulation to eliminate opportunities for deliberate fouls.
Additionally, current world number three Neil Robertson suggested a potential reform where failing to make contact with a directly visible red ball would result in a free ball for the opponent, aiming to accelerate the pace of the game.
However, the discussion around amending the ‘miss rule’ was not the only recommendation put forth by snooker’s top players, as the traditional dress code of the sport also came under scrutiny. The requirement for players to wear long-sleeved shirts, waistcoats, and formal footwear has been a point of contention, with some advocating for a more relaxed approach.
When asked the same question, Mark Allen highlighted the need to relax the dress code, and Luca Brecel identified the dress code, shot clock implementation, and mandatory cushion contact as the top areas for potential change in the sport.