While the table is open, can a player hit a ball of one colour in order to pot a ball of the other colour (whether by means of a plant or a canon)? If so, how is the colour nomination made?
Many thanks,
Steve Davis.

Yes you can. In an "open table" situation you do not have to nominate. You only nominate in 2 instances:

1) When you pot off the break.
2) When you have an open table and pot a ball of each colour in the same shot.

That's perfectly legal on an open table - there's a common misconception with World Rules that you have to nominate if it's an open table, but that's not the case. The only time you ever have to nominate in World Rules is if you've just broken and potted one or more balls. For any visit after the break, if it's an open table you don't have to nominate, so planting one colour onto another for a pot is fine

Aha.. beat u to that one Rob!!

Quote

Yes you can. In an "open table" situation you do not have to nominate. You only nominate in 2 instances:

1) When you pot off the break.
2) When you have an open table and pot a ball of each colour in the same shot.

Are you sure about 2)? I was under the impression that you can pot (for example) a red and yellow, then carry on with an open table, pot another red and yellow, and so on. So theoretically you could get down to the black having had all 14 colours on the table at the start of your visit, and having potted all the balls perfectly legally

I've tried this before, but have never managed three red/yellow combos in a row... done two a couple of times though

EDIT: You're right, just checked the website:
http://www.epa.org.uk/wrules.php

Section H, rule 3.b). Well I never, you learn something new every day ;D

i'm absolutely amazed you didn't know that one rob!! I'm sure this has come up a million times before! Definitely a sign your getting on a bit...?

So, if you are in a situation when you're obliged to nominate, am I right in thinking you can't for eg nominate red then play a yellow into a red to pot it? xV

You are very much right in thinking that Jenny