27. PLAYING WHEN A BALL IS MISPLACED

1. GENERAL
   1. Between strokes, any misplaced balls must be placed in a lawful position, at the striker's choice if more than one is available. Subject to Law 23(b), if the adversary observes that the striker is about to play a stroke when any ball is misplaced, he must forestall play.
   2. If a stroke is played with a ball misplaced, the first of the relevant Laws 27(d) to 27(i) applies.
   3. A misplaced ball remains so until it is placed in a lawful position or moved by a stroke.
2. MINOR MISPLACEMENT
   For the purposes of these Laws:
   1. a ball is deemed to be in contact with another ball when a stroke is played even if it is physically not in contact at that time if, in preparation for the stroke, the striker attempted finally to place, adjust or leave the balls in contact; and
   2. a ball is deemed not to be in contact with another ball when a stroke is played even if it is physically in contact at that time if, in preparation for the stroke, the striker attempted finally to place, adjust or leave the balls out of contact.
3. PURPORTING TO TAKE CROQUET
   1. Subject to Law 27(c)(2), the striker purports to take croquet if:
      1. he plays a stroke after finally placing or adjusting one or more balls so that the striker's ball is in contact with a ball from which it may not lawfully take croquet; or
      2. being required to take croquet, he plays a stroke after leaving the striker's ball in contact with a ball from which it may not lawfully take croquet.
   2. Temporarily removing and replacing a ball under Law 3(c)(2) or replacing a ball after interference under Laws 33 or 34 does not of itself constitute placing or adjusting it.
   3. Purporting to take croquet from a live ball has the same consequences as taking croquet from that ball, except that Law 27(e) applies.
4. PURPORTING TO TAKE CROQUET FROM DEAD BALL
   If the striker purports to take croquet from a dead ball and the error is discovered before the first stroke of the adversary's next turn, the error is rectified and the turn ends.
5. PURPORTING TO TAKE CROQUET FROM LIVE BALL If the striker purports to take croquet from a live ball and the error is discovered before two further strokes of that turn, the error is rectified. The striker remains entitled to play unless his turn ended under Law 4(d) during a stroke in error.
6. FAILING TO TAKE CROQUET WHEN REQUIRED TO DO SO If the striker, being required to take croquet, plays a stroke in which he neither takes croquet nor purports to do so and the error is discovered before two further strokes of that turn, the error is rectified. The striker remains entitled to play unless his turn ended under Law 4(d) during a stroke in error.
7. FAILING TO PLAY A BALL FROM BAULK If the striker, being required to play a ball from a baulk-line in accordance with Laws 8(b) (start of game) or 13 (wiring lift) (or Law 36 (optional lift in advanced play)), plays a stroke from a position materially other than a point on a baulk-line and the error is discovered before the third stroke of the striker's turn, the error is rectified. The striker restarts his turn with the same ball unless it ended under Law 4(d) during a stroke in error.
8. LIFTING A BALL WHEN NOT ENTITLED TO DO SO If the striker, having lifted either of his balls at the start of a turn when not entitled to do so, plays a stroke with it misplaced and the error is discovered before the third stroke of the striker's turn, the error is rectified. The striker restarts his turn with either ball of his side unless it ended under Law 4(d) during a stroke in error.
9. OTHER CASES In all other cases, the stroke is lawful unless other errors or interferences have occurred.