Foul and a miss

[NBSA]

It was mentioned at the recent NBSA members meeting that some players were not fully conversant with the foul and a miss rule.  In particular, an incident occurred where a miss was called when a player could only tie.  This was incorrect.

Your attention is drawn to the Official Rules of Snooker, Section 3, 14(b):

(b) If the striker, in making a stroke, fails to first hit a ball on when there is a clear path in a straight line from the cue-ball to any part of any ball that is or could be on, the referee shall call FOUL AND A MISS, unless:

(i) any player needed penalty points before, or as a result of, the stroke being played; (see (b) (ii))
(ii) before or after the stroke, the points available on the table are equal to the points difference excluding the value of the re-spotted black;

and the referee is satisfied that the miss was not intentional.

So, for example, if the difference is 27 points and there are only 27 points left on the table, a miss cannot be called.