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As Possible in Their Former Position
1. In the case mentioned in the 5th paragraph of the preceding rule. 2. Where any of the balls, when at rest, are moved by accident. 3. Where any of the balls, while rolling, are suddenly obstructed either by accident or design on the part of any person other than the player. In this case, the marker, if so requested by the players or referee, shall place the interrupted ball as nearly as possible in the situation which it would apparently have occupied had it not been stopped. 4. Where the cue-ball, resting on the edge of a pocket, drops into it before the striker has time to play. 5. Where the object-ball in a similar position, is rolled back into the pocket by any of the ordinary vibrations of the table or atmosphere. 6. In all the cases aforementioned where it is specified that in consequence of a foul stroke the player's opponent shall have the option either of playing at the balls as they are, or causing them to be replaced by the marker. 7. When either or both of the red balls are pocketed, or forced off the table, it is the marker's duty to spot them before another stroke is played--except (the game being played is caroms and pockets) the spot appropriate to either be occupied by one of the playing balls, in which case the red one must be kept in hand until its position is uncovered. 8. If, after playing a ball, the player should attempt to obstruct or accelerate its progress by striking it again, blowing at it, or any other means, his opponent may either play at the balls as they stand, or call upon the referee or marker to replace them in the position they would otherwise have occupied. 9. It is the duty of each player to see that a ball is properly spotted before the next stroke is made. As in the case where a player is in hand, a claim of foul, after the cue-ball has been struck in the one instance, and the red ball disturbed in another, cannot be entertained. All claims to the effect that the red ball is not on its spot, or that the striker's ball is not inside the "string" when he is about to play after having been in hand, should be made before the stroke is played, as it can seldom be decided after the stroke, whether there was any ground for the claim.
ON THE DUTY OF THE PLAYERS TO EACH OTHER. 1. Each player must look after his own interest, and exercise his own discretion. His opponent cannot be compelled to answer such questions as, "Is the ball outside or inside the string?" "Are the balls in contact?" and so forth. These are questions for the player's own judgment to decide. 2. When the cue-ball is very near another ball, the player must not play directly upon that ball without having warned his adversary that they do not touch, and given him or his umpire time to be satisfied on that point. 3. It is obligatory upon the adversary or umpire to call "time!" or give some other notice of his approach, if, while the player is preparing to make a stroke, either of them desires to look at the balls, or submit a question to the referee. 4. Each player should attend strictly to his own game, and never interfere with his adversary's, except in the cases mentioned in Section 9, on p. 804, or when a foul stroke or some other violation of these rules may call for forfeiture.
ON THE DUTY OF THE MARKER AND THE SPECTATORS TO THE PLAYERS. 1. In a single game, no one, except the player and his umpire, has a right to interfere with the play, or point out an error which either has been or is about to be committed. The player to whose prejudices the foul stroke is being or has been made, should find that out for himself. 2. Even after a stroke has been made, no one in the room has any right to comment upon it, either for praise or blame: for the same stroke may occur again in the course of the game, and the player's play may be materially altered by the criticism to which he has just been listening. 3. Let the marker and spectators keep their places as much as possible, for if they crowd or move around the table they are liable to interfere with the players, and certain to distract their attention. 4. When the spectators are appealed to by the marker or referee for their opinion on a point which he has been asked, but finds himself unable to decide, such of them as are well acquainted with the game should answer according to the best of their knowledge and belief. Those who know little or nothing of the game would oblige themselves and others by at once confessing their incompetency. Either they may not have seen the disputed stroke, or, seeing it, may not have been familiar with its merits.