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I wasn't at the AGM when this rule was voted in so I can I please clarify the logistics of it? Are we having a separate ref (away team) and timekeeper (home team) or is the home team ref supposed to time keep as well?

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That's a good question. It's ok for those of us who have played at Interleague level to say how easy it is but it was mentioned at the AGM that some sort of guidance would be issued for those who have never played under the stopwatch. It's easy once you're used to it, but it does need clarification for those who've never tried it.

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Is this rule going to be enforced or is it just if a team asks for a stop watch to be used. I for one won't be asking for it to be used. Just out of interest how many teams out there will be using a stop watch on a regular basis

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To answer sass. The home team has the stopwatch; the away team has a ref. The person on the watch is also a ref and can call any foul he/she see's. The ref with the stopwatch sets the rack.
To answer qwerty, I suppose its up to you. If both refs agree not to use the Stopwatch, who?s to say that?s wrong. You could also agree on the deliberate foul being disregarded. Or possibly not having to hit a cushion. But seriously, you'd be a fool not to use the stopwatch because when you come across a team that wants to use it you won't have the experience to give your opposition a good go at it. Believe me 60 seconds is an age to play a shot. You won't have to run round the table to get the shot in on time.
Give it a go. What have you got to lose. It will speed the matches up, which will possibly have an added bonus of having another 5 frames added to the evening. NO MORE DRAWS. Has to be a good thing.

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I just thought I?d give people who haven?t used the 60-second rule a run down on how it?s done.
After the player plays the first shot the stopwatch will be started as soon as the balls come to rest.
When the next shot is taken, the timekeeper will stop and reset the stopwatch, ready for when the balls come to rest. At which time he/she will start the stopwatch again. Until the timekeeper reaches 30 seconds, when the timekeeper will state "30 seconds"
This cycle is repeated until the game is finished.
If a player calls a time out, this can only be done if the player cannot play his/her shot, be it for an obstruction or needs need clarification from the ref, i.e. a touching ball etc or needs to use a rest, that is not readily available. The ref will call time out. The timekeeper will then stop the watch. When the player is able to play his/her shot, the timekeeper will say ?Time running? and state the time that has lapsed.
A Time out can not be called for a toilet break, answering a phone, going to the bar etc etc.
Hope this helps

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You forgot to say that the timekeeper must callout at 30 seconds,to let the player know He/She has used up 1/2 there time.;)

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Thanks John, that's now been corrected. :)

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not quite right...

I. Time Allowed
1. A player has a maximum of sixty seconds to play each shot.
2. If the first thirty seconds elapses before a shot is played, the referee will call "Thirty Seconds" as a warning to the player.
3. If a shot is not played within sixty seconds it is a Non-Standard Foul. The incoming player is awarded two visits from:-
a) Where the Cue Ball lies, OR, if the player wishes
b) From Baulk.
4. The referee may decide to grant "Time Out", if warranted.
a) At the request of a player. (For example, something is obstructing the player or the player needs to leave the playing area.)

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Sorry, Andy, I agree with Chuckles on this one. So, incidentally, does the official guidance for referees:

8.2 Granting a ?Time Out?
?Time out? may be called at the Referees discretion. For example:
? Player requesting a rest (which is not immediately available)

? Something obstructing the player

? Player needs to leave the playing area very urgently

? Referee making a close snooker, total snooker or touching ball decision

? Player lost a contact lens

? Player fastening shoe laces

8.3 Refusing a ?Time Out? The following are examples of when ?Time out? should not be called:
? Any telephone call

? Player needs to visit WC (player can go before or after a frame with the permission of the Referee)

? Fetching a drink from an area away from the table

? Looking for a cigarette or lighter away from the table

? Searching for chalk

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if your in a long frame, which happens...
and you've been drinking, which happens...



any ref not granting me a time out will
1. be asked to clean all the balls
2. be asked to find the extended swan neck rest (good luck)
3. be asked to help me find a contact lense (i have an emergency one i can lose somewhere)
4. be asked to hold my empty pint glass while i proceed...!!!

i think sometimes a bit of common sense has to come into this...

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Or if you have an upset stomach and forgot your Imodium, which happens.

True, common sense must prevail and if it's a genuine emergency, then fair enough but the idea is to prevent people taking the p1ss... excuse the pun.
:pee:

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And no doubt that ref 'will' have to look long and hard to find your two little 'balls' to wipe....

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here here