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(a) THE PLAYERS AS JOINT REFEREES OF THE GAME . The players act as referees of the game in the absence of a referee in charge. However, the adversary is not obliged to watch the game and if he fails to do so the striker is the sole referee for that period. In doubles play, all four players act as referees of the game.

(b) CERTAIN SPECIFIED DUTIES OF A REFEREE OF THE GAME . As a referee of the game the striker must immediately announce any error he believes or suspects he may have committed. Likewise, the adversary must immediately draw attention to any error he observes, subject to Law 49(b) , notwithstanding that it may be to his disadvantage. Further similar but not exhaustive examples are: if the adversary observes the striker about to leave the court wrongly believing that his turn has ended, he must inform him that he must complete his turn by playing another stroke or deeming it to have been played; in handicap play, if the striker announces his intention of playing a half-bisque or bisque before his previous turn has ended, the adversary must similarly inform him (see Law 38(e) ); a player must immediately call attention to a misplaced clip (see Law 35(c) ); a player must on request give the adversary any information concerning the state of the game (see Law 44 ).

(c) QUESTIONABLE STROKES . If the striker suspects that either the fairness or the effect of his next stroke may be doubtful, that stroke is a questionable stroke. He must consult the adversary before playing and the stroke must then be specially watched, preferably by a referee or other independent person if available, or, failing these, by the adversary. It is the striker's duty to take the initiative in this respect but if he fails to do so the adversary should forestall play, and Law 26(a) then applies.

(d) CONSULTING THE ADVERSARY . The striker must not test whether a ball has run a hoop in order by placing an object against the hoop without first consulting the adversary. The test may then be carried out in his presence or, if either so desires, by a referee or other independent person if available. The same principle applies to testing whether a ball is in position to run a hoop in order; whether a ball is off the court; whether the striker is entitled to a wiring lift; whether a ball may be moved under Laws 23 or 24 ; or whether a ball may be wiped under Law 23(e) if its position is critical.

(e) THE STRIKER AS THE ACTIVE REFEREE . The adversary must not follow the striker around the court and should allow most decisions to be made by the striker without reference to himself, as the striker is usually in a better position to give a correct decision. If, however, a close decision has to be made and the adversary is in at least as good a position to give that decision, the striker must seek confirmation of his opinion before continuing to play.

(f) WHEN THE PLAYERS' OPINIONS DIFFER . If a ball has to be replaced because of the carelessness of a player, the offender should normally defer to the opinion of the other. When the question is whether a ball has been hit or has moved, the positive opinion is generally to be preferred to the negative opinion. If there are any reliable witnesses present the players should agree to consult them to resolve any differences but no player may consult a witness without the express permission of the other.