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 adjustment in the sport. During an interview with TNT Sports, top snooker professionals were asked about the one rule change they would like to see in snooker, and one particular regulation was consistently highlighted.
Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, alongside several other players, has called for a review of the contentious ‘miss’ rule, which has been a source of frustration for many elite players. Currently, under this rule, if a player fails to make a correct contact with the designated ball, a foul and a miss may be called by the referee.
A ‘miss’ is typically called when the referee determines that a player deliberately chose a more difficult shot instead of an easier one to get out of a snooker situation. It can also be enforced if a player underplays a shot, indicating a lack of genuine effort.
When a ‘foul and a miss’ is declared, the opponent has the option to either reset the balls for another attempt or leave them as they are on the table. If the referee continues to call ‘foul and a miss’, the player could end up stuck in a loop, repeatedly attempting the same shot while their opponent gains points without making a move.
On the other hand, the ‘three-miss rule’ stipulates that a player who fails to hit the correct ball three times consecutively automatically concedes the frame to their opponent. This rule has sparked debates within the snooker community, with critics arguing that its enforcement can be inconsistent, prolong games, and confuse casual viewers.
When questioned about potential changes to the game, Ronnie O’Sullivan was swift to pinpoint the ‘miss rule’ as his choice for modification. Kyren Wilson echoed this sentiment, advocating for a limit of three misses per player.
Mark Selby also chimed in, suggesting a restriction where players could only miss three times before facing consequences. He highlighted scenarios where a player could secure victory due to their opponent’s repeated misses, even when trailing in points.
Former world champion Shaun Murphy took a different angle, criticizing how the miss rule could be exploited to play deliberate fouls. He expressed his disapproval of this loophole that allows players to gain advantages through intentional fouls.
Additionally, Neil Robertson, current world number three, proposed an idea to speed up games by awarding a free ball to the opponent if a player fails to make contact with a directly visible red ball.
Apart from the miss rule adjustments, snooker’s top players also raised concerns about the traditional dress code in the sport. Despite the current requirement for players to wear long-sleeved shirts, waistcoats, and formal footwear, many believe that these regulations should be relaxed to align with modern preferences.
When asked for his opinion on potential changes, Mark Allen emphasized the need to relax the dress code, aligning with the sentiment of modernizing the sport. Luca Brecel also chimed in, suggesting changes to the dress code, shot clock implementation, and ensuring that every shot hits a cushion as his top priorities for reform.