Created by Readiris, Copyright IRIS 2003 Referee's Examination
About The Referee's Examination

Welcome to the Macclesfield Pool Leagues referees exam and good luck. The following paragraphs are for your benefit. They explain how the exam is structured, how to answer it and how it will be marked.

Firstly the exam is based on one hundred and three questions. These questions usually refer to match situations and you are being asked what you would do as the referee. Each question has four possible answers (A, B, C and D) and you simply select which answer you feel is the correct course of action. For each question there can only be one correct answer. It is intended that the correct answer will appear to be the obvious answer to you, therefore do not spend too much time on each question.

1. At the beginning of the game the referee racks the balls. The racks position is determined by a spot on the table, which ball in the rack is actually located on the spot?
  • The ball at the top of the rack.
  • The ball in the middle and bottom of the pack.
  • The black ball.
  • None of the balls.
2. The table is marked with a spot to locate the rack of balls, where on the table is the spot located?
  • At the intersection of four corner pockets.
  • In the middle of the table.
  • Sixteen inches from the top cushion
  • At the intersection of the corner and middle pockets.
3. At the beginning of a game the referee racks the balls. Which of the following illustrations is correct? Solids replace yellow, stripes replace red.
  • (a)
  • (b)
  • (c)
  • (d)
4. In league matches choice of whom will break is determined by the toss of a coin, which player would call in the following games?
  • The home team player for all the odd games.
  • The away team player for all the odd games.
  • The home team player for the first three games.
  • The away team player for the last three games.
5. Which of the following statements accurately describes a void break?
  • Playing a break shot resulting in the cue ball going in off (cue ball pocketed).
  • Playing a break shot and completely missing the pack.
  • Potting the black ball from the break shot, even if other balls are potted in the same shot.
  • Potting the black ball from the break shot, providing the cue ball is not potted in the same shot.
6. Once it has been established which player will break, the player breaks by doing which of the following?
  • Playing the cue ball from any position within the D area towards the rack of object balls.
  • Playing the cue ball from any position on the table towards the rack of object balls.
  • Playing the cue ball from any position on or behind the baulk line towards the rack of object balls.
  • Playing the cue ball from any position on or in front of the baulk line towards the rack of object balls.
7. The player who wins the toss of the coin may elect to do which of the following?
  • The player winning the toss must break.
  • The player winning the toss may choose to break or the player can request the opponent to break.
  • The player who loses the toss must break.
  • The referee must break.
8. Which of the following statements accurately describes a foul break?
  • Playing a break shot resulting in the cue ball going in off (cue ball pocketed).
  • Potting the black ball from the break shot.
  • Potting the black ball and an object ball from the break shot.
  • Failing to pot an object ball or cause at least two object balls to make contact with any cushion, from the break shot.
9. In your opinion which of the following statements accurately describes an open table?
  • An open table occurs for the first shot following any foul and means the player may play and pot any object ball.
  • An open table occurs at the beginning of a game, before the first legal pot of the game and means the player may play any ball on the table without nomination.
  • An open table can occur at the beginning of a game before the first legal pot of the game. An open table means the oncoming player may without nomination play and pot any object ball on the table except the black ball.
  • An open table can occur at any time during a game and means the player can play any object ball on the table.
10. At the beginning of a game a player breaks, pots the black ball and no other object ball what has the player done?
  • Committed a foul break.
  • Committed a void break.
  • Committed an ordinary foul.
  • Lost the game
11. At the beginning of the game a player breaks, pots the black and a red ball what has the player done?
  • Committed a foul break.
  • Committed a void break.
  • Committed an ordinary foul.
  • Lost the game
12. Should a player commit a foul break, which of following would you as the referee do after calling foul break?
  • Let the opponent play from where the balls lie with two visits.
  • Award the game to the opponent.
  • Let the opponent play the cue ball from behind the baulk line with two visits, but leave the other balls where they are.
  • Give the opponent no choice, re-rack the balls, and then instruct the opponent to break from anyway on or behind the baulk line with two visits.
13. Should a player commit a void break, which of the following would you as the referee do after calling void break?
  • Re-rack the balls and let the same player break again.
  • Re-rack the balls and let the opponent break.
  • Leave the balls where they lie and give the opponent two visits.
  • Award the game to the opponent.
14. You are the referee of a game in play, a spectator walks past the table, trips and knocks an object ball across the table. What would you do?
  • Re-rack the balls and restart the game.
  • Replace the balls that have moved, to their original positions if possible. If it is impossible to replace the balls then you would re-rack the balls and restart the game.
  • Leave the balls where they are and continue the game.
  • Pick up the object ball that moved and put it down a pocket.
15. Player A breaks, and commits a foul break. You as the referee decide to re-rack the balls and give player B two visits from anywhere on or behind the baulk line. Player B breaks and pots the black ball, what would you as the referee do?
  • Not re-rack the balls in the first place.
  • Re-rack the balls and give player A two visits.
  • Re-rack the balls and let player B break again with two visits.
  • Re-rack the balls and let player B break again without two visits.
16. A player breaks and pots two red balls and one yellow ball what would you as the referee do?
  • Call foul and award two visits to the opponent.
  • Inform the player he/she was on reds.
  • Ask the player to verbally nominate before continuing.
  • Nothing but wait for the player to pot another ball.
17. Following a player breaking and potting two reds and one yellow, you as the referee decide to ask the player to verbally nominate. The player doesnt say anything but continues to play another red what would you do as the referee?
  • Not ask the player to nominate in the first place.
  • Ask the player why he/she didnt nominate.
  • Call a foul.
  • Ignore it and carry on.
18. At the beginning of a game player A breaks, pots two red balls and one yellow ball, unfortunately the player also goes in off. What would you as the referee call to the player B?
  • Foul, two visits, free table first shot, open table.
  • Foul, two visits.
  • Foul, two visits, free table.
  • Foul, two visits, open table
19. Following on from the previous Question the player B comes to the table, and without nominating plays but does not pot a red ball. What would you as the referee call?
  • Foul, two visits, free table
  • Second visit, reds to play
  • Second visit, open table
  • Second visit, please nominate.
20. Following on from the previous Question, player B with his/her second visit, without nominating plays and pots a yellow ball, what would you as referee call?
  • Foul, two visits, free table, first shot.
  • Yellows in play.
  • Second visit.
  • Reds in play.
21. Following on from the previous Question the player B does not pot another ball, what would you as referee call to player A?
  • Two visits, free table, first shot.
  • Nothing.
  • Yellows in play.
  • Reds in play.
22. During a game player A plays a shot resulting in an object ball being forced off the table. What do you as the referee do after you call Foul, two visits, free table first shot.?
  • Pick up the object ball and put it down a pocket.
  • Pick up the object ball up clean it, and place it back on the table.
  • Pick up the object ball clean it, and place it on the black ball spot. If the black ball spot is covered then place the object ball as close to the black ball spot as possible, without touching any other balls. In a direct line between the black ball spot and the centre of the baulk line to the baulk line side of the black ball spot.
  • The same as answer (c) but place the object ball on the other side of the black ball spot.
23. Which of the following statements accurately describes a player being in control of the table?
  • A player is deemed to be in control of the table from the moment his/her body, clothing or cue touch the table and until the moment their opponent does likewise.
  • A player is deemed to be in control of the table from the moment the player strikes the cue ball.
  • A player is deemed to be in control of the table from the moment his/her body, clothing or cue touch the table and until their visit ends.
  • A player is deemed to be in control of the table from the moment the player strikes the cue ball and until their visit ends.
24. In your opinion which of the following statements accurately describes a free table?
  • A free table occurs at the beginning of the game before the first legal pot has been made and a free table also occurs for the first shot following any foul. It means a player may play and pot any object ball except the black.
  • A free table only occurs for the first shot following a foul. It means the oncoming player may without nomination play any object ball including the black, and pot any ball except the black unless the player was on the black.
  • Free table and open table are the same thing. Both mean the oncoming player may play any object ball including the black and pot any object ball except the black unless the player was on it.
  • A free table only occurs for the first shot following a foul and means the oncoming player may without nomination play and pot any object ball on the table.
25. During a game player A who is on reds approaches the table, you as referee notice the cue ball is touching a red ball and call touching ball Which of the following statements accurately describes the options available to player A?
  • The player can play the red ball touching the cue ball, or the player could play away from the touching ball.
  • The player must play away from the touching ball and must hit another red ball.
  • The player must play away from the touching ball, the player may legally play into space or alternatively the player may play any ball on the table including yellow balls or the black ball without committing a foul.
  • The player must play away from the touching ball, the player may legally play into space or alternatively the player may play another ball of his/her own group. However should the player decide to play away from the touching ball but in doing so plays into a yellow ball the player would have committed a foul.
26. At the beginning of a game player A breaks and pots a red ball. What should you as the referee call?
  • Reds in play.
  • Yellows in play.
  • Nominate.
  • Nothing even if asked.
27. At the beginning of a game player A breaks and pots a red ball. Player A nominates and plays a red ball and does not pocket a ball. What should you as the referee call?
  • Reds in play.
  • Yellows in play.
  • Call foul and award two visits to the opponent.
  • Open Table.
28. At the beginning of a game player A breaks and pots a red ball. Player A nominates and plays a yellow ball and does not pocket a ball. What should you as the referee call?
  • Reds in play.
  • Yellows in play.
  • Open Table.
  • Call foul and award two visits to the opponent.
29. The opening player breaks off but commits a foul break. The balls are then re-racked. The opposing player re-starts the frame with two visits and duly performs a legal break. However, after numerous visits to the table neither player has made any attempt to play the opening pot, consequently the referee orders a re-rack under the no progress rule. Who breaks off in the re-started game?
  • The player who started the the frame by virtue of their opponent making a foul break, and not the opponent who made the foul break.
  • The player who originally broke and committed the foul break
  • The winner of a flip of a coin
  • The referee.
30. At the beginning of a game a player breaks, the player doesnt pot any ball but does cause two object balls to hit a cushion. The player moves away from the table without committing a foul. What would you as the referee call?
  • Free table
  • Nothing
  • Open table
  • Reds to play.
31. In your opinion as a referee when is the only time a player may legally pot an opponents ball?
  • When it is an open table.
  • When it is a free table.
  • When the player pots one of their own balls in the same shot.
  • When the opponents ball is in the way.
32. Following a foul which of the following is true for the opponent?
  • The opponent must play the cue ball from where it lies.
  • The opponent must play the cue ball from where it lies unless he/she is foul snookered.
  • The opponent may choose to play the cue ball from either where it lies or from any position on or behind the baulk line.
  • The opponent may choose to play the cue ball from either where it lies or from any where on the table.
33. Which of the following statements accurately describes the term Visit?
  • Striking the cue ball once.
  • Striking the cue ball and potting an object ball.
  • One turn at the table comprising of one or a series of shots.
  • The first shot of the game, or the first shot of any restarted game.
34. Only one of the following is a legitimate 8 ball clearance. Which one is it
  • Both players A and B have had one visit each to the table, neither have potted a bal1. On his next visit to the table player A pots all 7 reds the and the black.
  • Player A performs a legal break, but fails to pot a ball. Player B on his first visit to the table, pots all 7 reds and the black.
  • Player A breaks and pots a red, unfortunately he also goes in-off with the white. Player B comes to the table and with his first visit pots all the remaining 6 reds and the black.
  • The referee advises the players that he is re-racking the balls due to no progress being made. The same player who started the frame breaks again and pots all 7 reds and the black on his first visit.
35. Only one of the following is a legitimate 8 ball clearance. Which one is it ?
  • On the break shot player A pots one of each colour, but then misses his next pot. Player B on his first visit pots all the remaining 6 reds and the the black.
  • In a doubles game both opening players from each team have tried and failed to pot a ball, the second player from one of the teams on his first visit to the table, pots 7 reds and the black.
  • The opening player commits a foul break. The oncoming player, aided by two visits, pots nothing on his first visit, but then pots 7 reds and the black on his second visit.
  • The opening player commits a foul break. The oncoming player is awarded two visits and pots 7 reds and the black on his first visit.
36. Official 8 ball clearances must be witnessed by who?
  • The opponent and the referee.
  • Anyone from each team.
  • The landlord and landlady.
  • Both captains.
37. Following player A committing a foul you as the referee make the appropriate call. Player B asks you as the referee to move the cue ball behind the baulk line, what do you as the referee do?
  • Tell the player to move it themselves.
  • Pick up the cue ball and place it at the top of the table.
  • Pick the cue ball up and hand it to the player.
  • Tell the player to play the cue ball from where it lies.
38. During a game player B who is on yellows plays a shot that results in the cue ball touching the yellow, no foul was committed. You as the referee look closely at the cue ball and decide the yellow ball and cue ball are touching. Player A who is on reds approaches the table, what do you as the referee do?
  • Call nothing, but if player A asks you, you would tell them the ball is touching.
  • Call nothing, even if player A asks you if the ball is touching.
  • Call touching ball.
  • Call a friend.
39. During a game the cue ball stops in open table space, without being close to any object balls. The oncoming player asks you as the referee to clean the cue ball. What do you as the referee do?
  • Pick the cue ball up and clean it, then replace it roughly to its original position.
  • Refuse to clean the cue ball.
  • Ask the player to clean it themselves.
  • Mark the position of the cue ball, perhaps with a coin, pick up the cue ball clean it and then replace it to its original position.
40. During a game one of the players is unsure of a ruling, and asks you as the referee to explain the rule. What do you as the referee do?
  • Explain the rule to the best of your ability.
  • Tell the player nothing.
  • Tell the player to ask their own captain.
  • Tell the player to ask the other player.
41. Following a player breaking and potting two red balls and one yellow ball, you as the referee decide to ask the player to nominate. The player without nominating carries on and pots another red ball, you as the referee decide to call Foul, the player complains saying he/she didnt hear you ask them to nominate. What do you as the referee do?
  • Re-rack the game.
  • Tell the player it is his/her responsibility to conform to the rules, even if you didnt ask the player to nominate, the player must nominate. Failure to nominate is a foul and stick by your decision on calling a foul.
  • Tell the player it is his/her responsibility to conform to the rules, even if you didnt ask the player to nominate, the player must nominate. Failure to nominate is a foul but decide to change your decision and not call a foul.
  • Not call a foul and let the player continue.
42. During a game a player goes in off you as a courteous referee collect the cue ball from the top of the table, what would you do with the cue ball?
  • Place the cue ball on the table behind the baulk line.
  • Hand the cue ball to the oncoming player.
  • Place the cue ball on top of the cushion for the player to move.
  • Put the cue ball in your pocket and tell the player the ball did not come out.
43. During a game player A commits a foul, you as the referee call Foul, two visits, free table first shot, player B comes to the table, picks up the cue ball up and places it behind the baulk line. What do you as the referee do?
  • Nothing, let the player continue.
  • Call foul, two visits, free table first shot.
  • Tell the player to put the cue ball back and let you move it.
  • Put the cue ball back and tell the player he/she must play the ball from where it lies.
44. During a game player A commits a foul, you as the referee call Foul, two visits, free table first shot player B comes to the table and walks around the table. The player looks unsure as to whether he/she is entitled to move the cue ball behind the baulk line. What do you as the referee do?
  • Without saying anything, pick the cue ball up and place it behind the baulk line.
  • Tell the player he/she is entitled to the cue ball behind the baulk line.
  • Do or say nothing, until the player asks.
  • Do or say nothing, even if asked by the player.
45. During a game one of the captains, who is not playing, is unsure of a ruling, and asks you as the referee to explain the rule. What do you as the referee do?
  • Explain the rule to the best of your ability.
  • Tell the captain nothing.
  • Tell the captain to ask the other captain.
  • Ask the captain to wait until the end of the game, and then you will explain the ruling to him/her.
46. During a game player B who is on yellows approaches the table. He/she does not have two visits, you as the referee are aware of the cue ball touching a red ball. Which of the following statements accurately describes the options available to player B?
  • The player may play the touching ball.
  • The player must play away from the touching ball, and must play a ball of their own group.
  • The player must play away from the touching ball, and the player may play into space.
  • The player must play away from the touching ball. If the player was to hit another red ball while playing away from a touching ball the shot would be fair not foul.
47. During a game the cue ball stops in a crucial position, very close to several object balls. The oncoming player asks you as the referee to clean the cue ball. What do you as the referee do?
  • Try to pick the cue ball up and clean it.
  • Refuse to clean the cue ball.
  • Ask the player to clean it themselves.
  • Lean over the ball and try to blow it clean.
48. In a singles match when may coaching be allowed?
  • Never and from no person.
  • Only if given by the referee.
  • Only if given by a players team captain.
  • Only if given by a spectator not involved in the match.
49. In a doubles match when may coaching be allowed?
  • Never and from no person.
  • Only if given by the referee.
  • Only between the two members of a pairs team and only while one of their opponents is in control of the table.
  • Only between the two members of a pairs team and at any time.
50. If a player has two visits when does the second visit start?
  • When the player fails to pot on the first visit.
  • When the player strikes the cue ball following a shot in which he/she failed to pot in the first visit.
  • When the referee calls Second visit.
  • When the cue ball strikes an object ball on the first shot of the second visit.
51. During a game player A plays a shot resulting in the cue ball being forced off the table. What do you as the referee do?
  • Pick the cue ball up clean it and hand it back to player A.
  • Pick the cue ball up clean it, call Foul, two visits, free table first shot. hand the cue ball to player B and instruct the player to play the ball from in hand.
  • Re-rack the balls and restart the game.
  • Pick the cue ball up clean it, call Foul, two visits, free table first shot. place the cue ball back to its original position and instruct player B to play.
52. During a game player A plays a shot resulting in the black ball and an object ball being forced off the table. There is only one other object ball and the cue ball left on the table, both of which are in the baulk area. What would you do as the referee after you have called Foul, two visits, free table first shot and after you have picked up both balls and cleaned them?
  • Put the black ball on its spot and the other ball down a pocket.
  • Put the black ball on the spot and place the other object ball as close to the black ball as possible, without touching the black ball, in a direct line between the black ball spot and the centre of the baulk line, to the baulk line side of the black ball.
  • Put the black ball on the spot and place the other object ball as close to the black ball as possible, without touching the black ball, in a direct line between the black ball spot and the centre of the baulk line, to the cushion side of the black ball away from the baulk line.
  • Put the object ball on the spot and place the black ball as close to the object ball as possible, without touching the object ball, in a direct line between the black ball spot and the centre of the baulk line, to the baulk line side of the object ball.
53. During a game player A plays a shot resulting in a red ball and a yellow ball being forced off the table. There is only the black ball and the cue ball left on the table, both of which are in the baulk area. What would you do as the referee after you have called Foul, two visits, free table first shot and after you have picked up both balls and cleaned them?
  • The same as your answer to Question 50, but with the red ball on the spot.
  • The same as your answer to Question 50, but with the yellow ball on the spot.
  • The same as your answer to Question 50, but you would ask player A which ball he/she would like on the spot.
  • The same as your answer to Question 50, but you would ask player B which ball he/she would like on the spot.
54. During a game player A who is on reds, plays a red ball which stops in the jaws of a pocket. Player A comes away from the table, before player B approaches the table the red ball falls into the pocket. What do you do as the referee?
  • Instruct player A to continue his/her visit.
  • Call a foul against player A.
  • Call a foul against player B.
  • Instruct player B to continue his/her visit.
55. During a game player A appears to be playing away from a touching ball, however the object ball that the cue ball was touching moves. Which of the following statements accurately describes your response as the referee?
  • If the object ball moves away from the cue ball, call a foul against the player. If it rolls back into the area previously occupied by the cue ball, say nothing, accepting the shot as fair.
  • If the object ball was one of the players own group, say nothing accepting the shot as fair.
  • If the object ball moves at all in any direction call a foul against the player.
  • If the player had two visits, free table first shot, say nothing accepting the shot as fair.
56. During a game player A who is on reds, plays a red ball which stops in the jaws of a pocket. Player A comes away from the table, player B approaches the table and touches the table the red ball falls into a pocket. What do you do as the referee?
  • Instruct player A to continue his/her visit.
  • Call a foul against player A
  • Call a foul against player B
  • Instruct player B to continue his/her visit.
57. Which of the following is always a foul?
  • Hitting an opponents ball with the cue ball on the first impact.
  • Hitting an opponents ball with the cue ball on the first impact, except with the first shot following any foul or when playing away from a touching ball of own group in which the shot would be fair.
  • Hitting an opponents ball with the cue ball on the first impact, including with the first shot following any foul.
  • Hitting an opponents ball with the cue ball on any impact.
58. During a game player A who is on reds, approaches and touches the table. Player A intends to playa red ball that is located in the jaws of a pocket. However as the player strikes the cue ball and the cue ball begins to move, the red ball falls in without the cue ball contacting it. What do you do as the referee?
  • Instruct player A to continue his/her visit.
  • Call a foul against player A
  • Call a foul against player B
  • Instruct player B to continue his/her visit.
59. During a game player A who is on the black ball, approaches and touches the table. Player A intends to play the black ball that is located in the jaws of a pocket. However as the player strikes the cue ball and the cue ball begins to move, the black ball falls in without the cue ball contacting it. What do you do as the referee?
  • Re-rack the balls and restart the game.
  • Call Foul and award the game to player A.
  • Call Foul and award the game to player B.
  • Tell player A they have won the game.
60. During a game player A who is on reds, has two red balls left on the table, the player plays and pots one of the red balls. Player A then appears to have forgotten the other red and begins cuing up for the black ball. Before the player strikes the cue ball one of the players team mates reminds the player of the red ball left on the table. What do you as the referee do?
  • Nothing, let the player continue.
  • Warn the team member not to call out, but let player A continue.
  • Call a foul against player A.
  • Award the game to player B.
61. During a game a players team mates are calling out advice, although the advice is not considered to be affecting the game the opposing player is not happy about the advice being given. You as the referee are concerned about the calling out. What do you as the referee do?
  • Warn the spectators and ask then to stop.
  • Call a foul against the player.
  • Award the game to the opposing player.
  • Nothing, let the player continue.
62. During a game player A who is on reds approaches the table, you as the referee notice the cue ball is very close to an object ball. You lean over the table to observe the cue ball more closely. You can then see the cue ball is touching a red ball, the player is waiting for you to finish, what do you as the referee do?
  • Call nothing.
  • Call touching ball and point to the ball.
  • Wait for the player to ask you if the ball is touching.
  • Move the cue ball.
63. During a game player A approaches the table. He/she is on reds and has just been given two visits, free table, first shot. The player who has only one red left plays the red and pots it, the cue ball cannons into the black ball and pots the black ball, in the same shot. What do you call as the referee?
  • First visit.
  • Foul two visits free table first shot.
  • Game to player A.
  • Foul, game to player B.
64. During a game player A approaches the table. He/she is on the black ball and has just been given two visits free table first shot. There are also three yellow balls left on the table. Player A plays and pots a yellow ball, the cue ball cannons into the black ball and pots the black ball, in the same shot. What would you as the referee do?
  • Call foul, two visits, free table first shot.
  • Call foul, game to player B.
  • Call game to player A.
  • Call first visit.
65. During a game player A approaches the table. He/she is on the black ball and has just been given two visits, free table first shot. There are also three yellow balls left on the table. Player A plays and pots the black ball, the cue ball cannons into a yellow ball and pots the yellow ball. What would you as the referee do?
  • Call foul, two visits, free table first shot.
  • Call game to player A.
  • Call foul, game to player B.
  • Call first visit.
66. During a game player A approaches the table. He/she is on the black ball without having two visits, free table first shot. There are also three yellow balls left on the table. Player A plays and pots the black ball and the cue ball cannons into a yellow ball and pots it in the same shot. What would you as the referee do?
  • Call first visit.
  • Call game to player A.
  • Call foul, two visits, free table first shot.
  • Call foul, game to player B.
67. Which of the following statements accurately describes the jump shot foul?
  • Defined as when the cue ball jumps over any part of any ball.
  • Defined as when the cue ball jumps over any part of any ball after making contact with any ball.
  • Defined as when the cue ball jumps over any part of any ball before making contact with any ball.
  • Defined as when the player clearly and deliberately played the cue ball in such a manner as to force the cue ball to jump over any part of any ball.
68. During a game player A who is on reds, approaches and touches the table, a red ball falls into a pocket. What do you do as the referee?
  • Instruct player A to continue his/her visit.
  • Call a foul against player A
  • Call a foul against player B
  • Instruct player B to continue his/her visit.
69. There are occasions when a player may legally play the black ball while still having balls of his/her own group left on the table. Which of the following statement would accurately describe these occasions?
  • When its an open table.
  • When playing the cue ball away from touching an opponents ball.
  • When playing away from a touching ball of own group and/or when its a free table.
  • Following a void break.
70. During a game player A who is on reds, plays a red ball which hits a yellow ball which then hits and pots another red ball. If you where the referee what would you call following this shot?
  • Foul, two visits, free table first shot.
  • Nothing, let the player continue.
  • Foul, game to player B
  • Yellows to play.
71. During a game a player plays one of their own object balls. The cue ball then goes in off. What do you as the referee do?
  • Re-rack the balls and restart the game.
  • Call foul, two visits, free table first shot.
  • Nothing.
  • Let the player have another go.
72. Should a player play a shot in which he/she clearly intended to play a ball of their own group but unfortunately missed not hitting any object balls, what would you as the referee call?
  • Foul, two visits, free table first shot.
  • Foul, game to the opposition.
  • Realising the player had miss-cued allow the player to play again.
  • Nothing.
73. Should a player playa shot in which he/she clearly did not intend to play a ball of their own group, what would you as the referee call?
  • Foul, two visits, free table first shot.
  • Foul, game to the opposition.
  • Realising the player had miss-cued allow the player to play again.
  • Nothing.
74. A player plays a shot in which he/she plays the cue ball into a ball of their own group which then hits a ball of his/her opponents group and pots it. What would you as the referee call?
  • Foul, two visits, free table first shot.
  • Foul, game to the opposition.
  • Instruct the opponent to play.
  • Nothing.
75. During a game a player who is having difficulty playing a shot, sits on the edge of the table and you as the referee notice neither of the players feet are touching the floor. The player plays his/her shot. What do you call?
  • Nothing.
  • Foul, two visits, free table first shot.
  • Reposition the balls and ask the player to replay the shot.
  • Hope nobody else saw it.
76. During a game a player who is having difficulty playing a shot, moves a stool close to the edge of the table. The player stands with one foot on the stool and the other just touching the floor. He/she then plays the shot. What do you as the referee call?
  • Nothing.
  • Foul, two visits, free table first shot.
  • Reposition the balls and ask the player to replay the shot.
  • Hope nobody else saw it.
77. During a game player A who is on reds approaches the table, slips and hits the cue ball with the side of his/her cue. The cue ball rolls down the table and hits a red ball. What do you as the referee call?
  • Reposition the balls, instruct the player to play again.
  • Re-rack the balls and re-start the game.
  • Nothing, no foul was committed.
  • Call foul, two visits, free table first shot.
78. During a game in which spots and striped balls are used, player A who is on stripes, mistakes a striped ball for the cue ball. He/she plays the ball onto another striped ball, what do you as the referee call?
  • Realising the mistake, reposition the balls and instruct the player to play again.
  • Re-rack the balls and restart the game.
  • Call foul, two visits, free table first shot.
  • Nothing.
79. During a pairs match the two players of a pairs team forget whos turn it is and without asking anyone one of the players approaches the table. You as the referee notice the players are playing out of turn. What do you do?
  • Stop the player, and ask the other player to play.
  • Do nothing and call nothing even after the shot has been played.
  • Wait for the shot to be played and then call foul, two visits, free table first shot.
  • Call foul, two visits, free table first shot before the shot is played.
80. During a game player A who is on reds approaches the table. He/she is snookered because the cue ball is between the side cushion and a yellow ball. The cue ball is also touching both the cushion and the yellow ball. The only legal shot open to player A is to play the cue ball straight down the cushion towards the jaws of a pocket, and hopefully rattling the cue ball in and out of the jaws to make contact with his/her own balls. What do you as the referee do.
  • Let the player attempt the shot.
  • Order a re-rack no matter what the players says.
  • Wait to see if the player asks for a re-rack.
  • Refuse to order a re-rack no matter what happens.
81. During a game a player who is quick moving around the table strikes the cue ball before all the other balls have stopped moving. What do you as the referee do?
  • Warn the player to wait in future.
  • Nothing.
  • Call foul, two visits, free table first shot.
  • Call foul, game to the opposition.
82. During a game player A plays a shot which results in an object ball being forced off the table. You as the referee pick up the object ball but, before you can replace the ball, player B plays but does not pot his/her ball. What do you do?
  • Nothing.
  • Ask the player to wait and re-spot the ball.
  • Call foul, two visits, free table first shot.
  • Re-rack the balls and re-start the game.
83. During a game a player who is cuing up, taps the cue ball and then follows through with his/her intended shot. What do you as the referee do?
  • Call foul, two visits, free table first shot.
  • Nothing.
  • Re-rack the balls and re-start the game.
  • Ask the player to replay the shot.
84. A player plays a shot in which the cue stays in contact with the cue ball for longer than usual, what do you as the referee do?
  • Nothing.
  • Call a foul under the push shot rule.
  • Call a foul under the striking the cue ball more than once rule.
  • Re-rack the balls and re-start the game.
85. A player approaches the table, the cue ball is touching one of his/her own group of object balls. The player plays a shot which results in the touching object ball moving away from the cue ball. What do you as the referee call?
  • Nothing.
  • Call foul under the striking the cue ball more than once rule.
  • Call foul under the push shot rule.
  • Re-rack the balls and restart the game.
86. During a game a player approaches the table, the cue ball is around 1 mm away from the players only remaining object ball. The player strikes the centre of the cue ball, while playing in a straight line through the cue ball and object ball. What do you as the referee do?
  • Re-rack the balls and re-start the game.
  • Call a foul under the push shot rule.
  • Nothing.
  • Call a foul under the striking the cue ball more than once rule.
87. Which of the following statements accurately describes the penalty following any of the fouls covered under rule 5 of the Official 8 Ball Pool Rules?
  • Following any foul the offending player gains two visits to the table.
  • Following any foul the offending player gains two shots.
  • Following any foul the offending player losses the next visit to the table, giving the opponent two shots.
  • Following any foul the offending player losses the next visit to the table, giving the opponent two consecutive visits.
88. Which of the following describes the object of the game of pool?
  • The player or team pocketing all their own group of object balls and then legally pocketing the black 8 ball wins the game.
  • The player or team playing the best snooker wins the game.
  • The player or team potting all the balls wins the game.
  • The player or team who pot the black 8 ball win the game.
89. During a game player A who is on the black 8 ball plays and pots the black ball, unfortunately the player then goes in-off. What do you as the referee call?
  • Foul, two visits, free table first shot.
  • Foul, game to the opponent.
  • Nothing, the black ball was pocketed first.
  • Replace the balls and instruct the player to play again.
90. Which of the following statements accurately describes the term shot?
  • Striking the cue ball several times.
  • Striking the cue ball once.
  • The first shot following a foul.
  • The break.
91. Which of the following statements describes the completion of the game (completion not object)?
  • The game is completed when a player pots all of his/her own object balls followed by the black 8 ball.
  • The game is completed when a player pots all the balls followed by the black 8 ball.
  • The game is completed when the referee says it is.
  • The game is completed when a player pots all of his/her own object balls . Then pockets the black 8 ball and all the other balls have come to rest.
92. What does the statement cue ball in hand mean?
  • Only that the player may move the cue ball.
  • The player must not move the cue ball.
  • When the player has the cue ball in hand, the cue ball is played from any position on or behind the baulk line in any direction.
  • The cue ball can be played from any position within the 0 area.
93. Following player A going in-off player B places the cue ball on the table behind the baulk line. The player then uses his/her cue to position the cue ball. What do you as the referee do?
  • Nothing.
  • Ask the player not to do it again
  • Call foul, game to the opponent.
  • Call foul, two visits, free table first shot.
94. During a game a player clearly and intentionally stops an object ball going into a pocket, what do you as the referee do?
  • Call foul, two visits, free table first shot.
  • Put the ball down the pocket.
  • Call foul, game to the opponent.
  • Nothing.
95. During a game you as the referee order a re-rack and then re-rack the balls. Which player should then break?
  • The same player who broke at the beginning of the previous frame.
  • Which ever players turn it is.
  • The player who didnt break at the beginning of the previous frame.
  • The player who caused the re-rack.
96. Which of the following statements accurately describes a stalemate situation?
  • A situation accidentally arrived at whereby a legal shot is impossible to play.
  • A situation deliberately arrived at whereby a legal shot is impossible to play.
  • A situation in which the referee feels no progress is being made.
  • A situation whereby a legal shot is impossible to play, whether the situation is arrived at by accident or by design or a situation when the referee feels no progress is being made.
97. During a game in which you are the referee a player breaks and play continues. At some part of the game you order a re-rack, again a player breaks and play continues. Unfortunately, again a situation arises whereby you order another re-rack and play begins again. To your dismay you find a stalemate situation has again occurred, what do you do?
  • Ask somebody else to referee the game.
  • Award the game to one of the players.
  • Re-rack the balls and again re-start the game.
  • Refuse to re-rack the balls and declare the game null and void awarding no points to either player.
98. The official pool rules for stalemates are divided into two main groups. There are stalemates which result because a legal shot cannot be played and stalemates which result because no progress is being made. Which of the following statements accurately describe the correct action a referee should take in stalemate situations.
  • Nothing, wait for the players to ask for a re-rack.
  • Order a re-rack no matter how a stalemate situation has arisen.
  • If a stalemate has occurred because it was not possible to play a legal shot then order a re-rack, or if a stalemate has occurred because you felt no progress was being made then warn the players that if no progress is made in the next few shots then you will order a re-rack.
  • Warn the players that if no progress is made in the next few shots then you will order a re-rack. No matter how a stalemate situation has arisen.
99. During a game should a situation arise whereby a players only remaining object ball(s) or the cue ball is covered by the opponents object balls resulting in a gap to small to allow the cue ball to make contact with a players own object ball, what would you as the referee do?
  • Award the game to the opponent.
  • Order a re-rack.
  • Nothing, let the player playa shot.
  • Move the balls.
100. During a game player A who is on reds, only has one red ball left on the table. Unfortunately the red ball is touching a yellow ball which is hanging over the edge of the pocket. Player A approaches the table what do you as the referee do?
  • Let the player attempt the shot.
  • Order a re-rack no matter what the players says.
  • Wait to see if the player asks for a re-rack.
  • Refuse to order a re-rack no matter what happens.
101. During a game a player seems to be taking an excessive amount of time between his/her shots. The player takes more than two minutes prior to the first shot of their visit or between shots in a visit, what should you as the referee do?
  • Let the player continue.
  • Instruct the player to play, and if the instruction is ignored let the player continue.
  • Instruct the player to play and if the instruction is ignored issue a time warning.
  • Do nothing unless the opponent complains.
102. Following on from the previous Question. If the player ignores a further instruction to play, what should you as the referee do
  • Award the game to the opponent.
  • Instruct the player to play, and if the instruction is ignored issue a time warning.
  • Instruct the player to play, and if the instruction is ignored let the player continue.
  • Call foul, two visits, free table first shot.
103. During a game player A breaks, but does not pot anything. The break was a legal break so player B plays a shot but again does not pot anything. Several shots are taken by players A and B and neither of them seems to be making an attempt to pot a ball. You as the referee feel progress is not being made, what do you do?
  • Nothing, wait for the players to ask for a re-rack.
  • Order a re-rack.
  • Nothing, refuse a re-rack even if asked for.
  • Warn the players that if no progress is made in the next few shots then you will order a re-rack.