Several top snooker players, such as Ronnie O’Sullivan, Shaun Murphy, Kyren Wilson, and Mark Selby, have shared their views on a rule they want to see changed in the sport. During an interview with TNT Sports, these elite players were asked about the one modification they would make to snooker rules, and a particular regulation was repeatedly highlighted.
Seven-time world champion O’Sullivan, joined by other players, has advocated for a revision of the contentious ‘miss’ rule, which has been a point of contention among top players. The current rule penalizes a player with a foul and a miss if their attempt to strike the designated ball is deemed inadequate.
A miss is typically called when the player is perceived to have chosen a more difficult shot over an easier one to escape a snooker. It can also be invoked if a player falls short and fails to make contact with a ball, indicating a lack of effort.
Under the ‘foul and a miss’ scenario, the opponent of the offending player can choose to reset the balls for a retake or leave them as they lie on the table. Persistent calling of a ‘foul and a miss’ can result in the player being stuck repeating the same shot while their opponent accumulates points without much effort.
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 due to concerns about inconsistent enforcement, game delays, and confusion for casual viewers.
When asked about potential changes to the game, O’Sullivan promptly pointed out the miss rule, while Wilson supported limiting misses to three. Selby proposed a restriction where missing three times would result in a penalty, emphasizing the advantage gained by opponents through multiple misses. Murphy raised concerns about how the miss rule could be exploited for deliberate fouls, indicating a need for change.
Furthermore, world number three Neil Robertson suggested a reform that would grant a free ball to the opponent if a player fails to make contact with a visible red ball directly, aiming to accelerate gameplay significantly.
Apart from addressing the miss rule, top snooker players also scrutinized the traditional dress code in the sport. Despite the ongoing requirement for long-sleeved shirts, waistcoats, and formal footwear, many players believe that these regulations should be relaxed to adapt to modern trends.
When questioned about potential game improvements, Mark Allen highlighted the need to relax the dress code. Similarly, Luca Brecel expressed concerns about the dress code, shot clock, and the obligation to hit a cushion, listing them as the top three areas needing attention in the sport.