Several prominent snooker players, such as Ronnie O’Sullivan, Shaun Murphy, Kyren Wilson, and Mark Selby, have shared their views on a rule change they believe is necessary in the sport. During an interview with TNT Sports, top professionals in the game were asked about the one modification they would like to see in snooker rules, and a particular regulation was consistently highlighted.
Seven-time world champion O’Sullivan, alongside other players, has advocated for a review of the contentious ‘miss’ rule, which has been a source of frustration for elite players. The current rule dictates that if a player fails to make contact with the designated ball during a shot, the referee may call a foul and a miss.
A miss is typically called when the referee perceives that the player chose a more difficult shot when an easier option was available to escape a snooker. It can also be enforced if a player underplays a shot, demonstrating a lack of effort.
When a ‘foul and a miss’ is declared, the opponent of the offending player can choose to reset the balls and allow a retake of the shot or leave the balls in their current positions on the table. If the referee continues to call a ‘foul and a miss’, the player may be stuck repeating the same shot indefinitely while their opponent accumulates points without making a shot.
Moreover, the ‘three-miss rule’ stipulates that a player who fails to hit the correct ball three times in a row automatically forfeits the frame to their opponent. This rule has sparked controversy in the sport, with critics arguing that it can lead to inconsistent enforcement, prolong games, and confuse casual viewers.
When asked about potential changes to the game, O’Sullivan promptly pointed out the miss rule, advocating for a limit of no more than three misses. Wilson echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for a revision to the miss rule.
Selby also weighed in on the issue, suggesting a restriction where a player can only miss three times before consequences are imposed. He highlighted situations where a player could secure a win due to their opponent’s repeated misses, despite being ahead in points.
Former world champion Murphy offered a different perspective, criticizing how the miss rule could be exploited by players to their advantage. He proposed eliminating the foul and a miss rule to prevent deliberate fouls during gameplay.
Furthermore, current world number three Neil Robertson proposed a potential change where failing to make contact with a red ball directly would result in the opponent receiving a free ball, aiming to expedite the pace of the game significantly.
Apart from discussions around the miss rule, snooker’s top players also scrutinized the traditional dress code in the sport. Many players advocate for relaxing the current requirements, which mandate long-sleeved shirts, waistcoats, and formal footwear during competitions.
When asked the same question as his peers, Mark Allen emphasized the need to relax the dress code. Similarly, Luca Brecel listed the dress code, shot clock, and hitting a cushion as areas for potential improvement in the sport.