Snooker Rules Snooker Rules 1. Aim of the game Snooker is played with fifteen object balls that are not numbered and are solid red (called reds), six object balls of other colors that are not numbered (called colors in snooker) and a cue ball (called the white ball). The aim of snooker is to pocket the balls legally according to the rules and to score a greater number of points than the opponent. Point values for object balls: red-1, yellow-2, green-3, brown-4, blue-5, pink-6, black-7. 2. Opening break rules The game of Snooker begins with the cue ball in hand in the Half Circle (so the starting player can place the cue ball anywhere inside the Half Circle). The rules for the opening break are the same as when one of the players gets the right to strike. 3. Game Rules A player who gets the right to strike has to hit one of the red ball first. Each shot has to be completed in 60 seconds, otherwise a foul is called. A strike, when the next legal object is a red ball, is legal when: The white ball is not potted.

The white ball hits a red ball first. Only red balls are potted. Otherwise the strike is a foul. When the strike on the red ball is legal: If no red ball is potted then the opposing player is next. When a red ball is potted then the player gets as many points as the number of red balls he has potted. The striker's next legal object is a colored snooker ball (see next point rules). A strike, when the next legal object is a color ball, is legal when: The white ball is not potted. If there are still red balls on the table then one of the colored balls is hit by the white ball first. If there are no more red balls on the table then the colored ball with the lowest points is hit first. Only the ball that was hit first by the white ball is be potted. Otherwise the strike is a foul. When the strike on the colored ball is legal: If no ball is potted then the opposing player is next. When a colored ball is potted then the player's points increase by the point value of the potted colored ball. The striker's next legal object is a red ball.

If there are no more red balls on the table, the next legal object is the ball with the lowest points. 4. Snooker Fouls If a hit is a foul then the other player gets penalty points: 4 points if the white ball is potted. 4 points if time limit is exceeded (60 seconds/shot) If the white hits the wrong ball first then the value of this ball. If the wrong ball is potted first then the value of this ball. When a hit results in more fouls then the opposing player gets the points of foul with the highest value. Penalty points have a minimal value of 4. After committing a foul the incoming player may play the ball(s) as they lie request to pass the shot and let the offending player play the stroke again (without returning to the original position) 5. Game over rule When the only ball left on the table is the black one and The black ball is potted by the next legal shot. The next hit is a foul. Playoff: If the scores are equal after potting the last ball, the black ball is respotted and the player on plays again from the D. The first foul or pot ends the game.

Snooker Rules Rules of Snooker Type of Game: International or "English" snooker is the most widely played form of snooker around the world. It is generally played on 6'x12' English billiard tables, with cushions that are more narrow than on pocket billiard tables and which curve smoothly into the pocket openings. 5 x 10 and snooker tables of even smaller playing dimensions may be used for the game. On a 6 x 12 snooker (English billiard) table the playing area within the cushion faces shall measure 11' 8.5" x 5' 10" with a tolerance on both dimensions of +/-0.5". The height of the table is measured from the floor to the top of the cushion rail, and the height shall measure 34" with an allowable variance of +/-0.5". If you like playing snooker on your computer, you can also try casino gaming online for free or real money. Sites like provide online casino games, guides and reviews of best online casinos.

Players: 2 Balls Used: Set of Snooker balls: fifteen object balls that are not numbered and are solid red (called reds), six object balls of other colors that are not numbered (called colors) and a cue ball (called the white ball). Point values for object balls: red-1, yellow-2, green-3, brown-4, blue-5, pink-6, black-7. In International Snooker the balls used are 2-1/16" diameter. The Rack: Play begins with the balls placed as in the diagram above. The pink is spotted on the Pyramid Spot. The apex ball of the triangle of reds is racked as close as possible to the pink without touching it. Baulk-line and Baulk: A straight line drawn 29" from the face of the bottom cushion and parallel to it is called the Baulk-line and the intervening space termed the Baulk. The Half Circle: The Half Circle is a semi-circle described in Baulk with its center at the middle of the Baulk-line and with a radius of 11.5".

When the striker has cue ball in hand within the Half Circle he may place the base of the cue ball anywhere on the line or within the Half Circle, and may use his hand or any part of his cue (including the tip) to position the cue ball--as long as it is judged he is not attempting to play a stroke. Object of the Game: To score a greater number of points than opponent. Scoring: Points are scored in two ways: players are awarded points for fouls by the opponent (see Penalties For Fouls below), and by legally potting reds or colors. Each legally potted red ball has a point value of one; each legally potted color ball has a point value as indicated (Balls Used above). A frame ends when all balls have been potted, following the Rules of Play; if, however, only the black (7) ball is left on the table, the frame ends with the first score or foul.

If the players' scores are equal after that scoring, the black is spotted on its original position and the layers lag or draw lots for the choice of playing at, or assigning opponent to play at, the black ball with the cue ball in hand within the Half Circle, first score or foul then ends the frame. Opening Break: Players lag or draw lots for choice of break in the opening frame. In a match format the players alternate the break in subsequent frames. Starting player has cue ball in hand within the Half Circle. He must cause the cue ball to contact a red ball. It is not necessary to send a ball to a rail or into a pocket. Failure to meet this requirement is a foul (see Penalties For Fouls) A foul is scored and--with all fouls--the incoming player has a choice of (1) accepting the table and becoming the striker, or (2) requiring the offender to break again. Rules of Play 1. A legally potted ball entitles the striker to continue at the table until he fails to legally pot a ball. 2. On all shots, the striker must comply with the appropriate requirements of Rules of Play 5 and 6.

It is not necessary to cause the cue ball or an object ball to contact a cushion or drop in a pocket after the cue ball has contacted a legal object ball (ball on). Failure to contact a legal object ball first is a foul. 3. As long as reds are on the table, the incoming striker (player taking his first stroke of an inning) always has a red as his legal object ball (ball on). 4. Any red balls potted on a legal shot are legally potted balls; the striker need not call any particular red ball(s), pocket(s) or details of how the pot will be played. 5. When the striker has a red ball as his "ball on" (legal object ball), he must cause the cue ball's first contact to be with a red ball. Failure to do so is a foul (See Penalties For Fouls) 6. After the striker has scored a red ball initially, his next legal object is a color, and as long as reds remain on the table he must alternate his play between reds and colors (though within each group he may play a ball of his choice).

When reds remain on the table and a color is his object, the striker must (a) designate prior to stroking which color ball is his object (that specific color is then his "ball on"), and (b) cause the cue ball's first contact with a ball to be with that colored ball. If the striker fails to meet these requirements, it is a foul (See Penalties For Fouls). 7. If the striker's ball on is a red, and he pots a color, it is a foul. 8. If the striker's ball on is a color, and he pots any other ball, it is a foul. 9. Jump shots are illegal in International Snooker. It is a foul if the striker intentionally causes the cue ball to jump (rise from the bed of the table) by any means, if the jump is an effort to clear an obstructing ball. 10. While reds remain on the table, each potted color is spotted prior to the next stroke (see Spotting Balls below for spotting rules). After a color has been spotted, if the striker plays while that ball is incorrectly spotted (and opponent or referee calls it before two such plays have been taken), the shot taken is a foul.

If the striker plays two strokes after such error without its being announced by opponent or referee, he is free of penalty and continues playing and scoring normally as though the spotting error simply had not occurred. The striker is responsible for ensuring that all balls are correctly spotted before striking. If the striker plays while a ball(s) that should be on the table is not a foul may be awarded whenever the foul is discovered during the striker's inning. Any scoring prior to the discovery of the foul will count. 11. When no reds remain on the table, striker's balls on become the colors, in ascending numerical order (2,3,4,5,6,7). These legally potted colors are not spotted after each is potted; they remain off the table. (The black (7) ball is an exception in the case of a tie score; see Scoring.) Illegally Potted Ball: Reds illegally potted are not spotted; they remain off the table. Colors illegally potted are spotted. (See Spotting Balls.) Object Balls Jumped off the Table: Reds jumped off the table are not spotted and the striker has committed a foul. Colors jumped off the table are spotted and the striker has committed a foul.

(See Penalties For Fouls) Spotting Balls: Reds are never spotted. Colors to be spotted are placed as at the start of the game. If a color's spot is occupied (to mean that to spot it would make it touch a ball), it is placed on the spot of the highest value color that is unoccupied. If all spots are occupied, the color is spotted as close as possible to its original spot on a straight line between its spot and the nearest point on the top (foot) cushion. Cue Ball after Jumping off the Table: Incoming player has cue ball in hand within the Half Circle. When cue ball is in hand within the Half Circle (except the opening break), there is no restriction (based on position of reds or colors) as to what balls may be played; striker may play at any ball on regardless of where it is on the table. Touching a Ball: While balls are in play it is a foul if the striker touches any object ball or if the striker touches the cue ball with anything other than the tip during a legal stroke.

Snookered: The cue ball is snookered when a direct stroke in a straight line to any part of every ball on is obstructed by a ball or balls not on. If there is any one ball that is not so obstructed, the cue ball is not snookered. If in-hand within the Half Circle, the cue ball is snookered only if obstructed from all positions on or within the Half Circle. If the cue ball is obstructed by more than one ball, the one nearest to the cue ball is the effective snookering ball. Angled: The cue ball is angled when a direct stroke in a straight line to any part of every ball on is obstructed by a corner of the cushion. If there is any one ball on that is not so obstructed, the cue ball is not angled. If angled after a foul the referee or player will state "Angled Ball", and the striker has the choice to either (1) play from that position or (2) play from in hand within the Half Circle. Occupied: A spot is said to be occupied if a ball cannot be placed on it without its touching another ball.

Touching Ball: If the cue ball is touching another ball which is, or can be, on, the referee or player shall state "Touching Ball." Thereafter the striker must play away from it or it is a push stroke (foul). No penalty is incurred for thus playing away if (1) the ball is not on; the ball is on and the striker nominates such ball; or (3) the ball is on and the striker nominates, and first hits, another ball. [If the referee considers that a touching ball has moved through an agency other than the player, it is not a foul.] Push Stroke: A push stroke is a foul and is made when the tip of the cue remains in contact with the cue ball (1) when the cue ball makes contact with the object ball, or (2) after the cue ball has commenced its forward motion. Provided that where the cue ball and an object ball are almost touching, it shall be deemed a legal stroke if the cue ball hits the finest possible edge of the object ball. Miss: The striker shall to the best of his ability endeavor to hit the ball on.

If the referee considers the rule infringed he shall call foul and a "miss." The incoming player (1) may play the ball(s) as they lie, or (2) may request that the ball(s) be returned to the original position and have the offending player play the stroke again. Note: if the ball on cannot possibly be hit, the striker is judged to be attempting to hit the ball on. Free Ball: After a foul, if the cue ball is snookered, the referee or player shall state "Free Ball." If the non-offending layer takes the next stroke he may nominate any ball as on. For this stroke, such ball shall be regarded as, and acquire the value of, the ball on. It is a foul should the cue ball fail to first hit, or - except when only the pink and black remain on the table - be snookered by, the free ball. If the "free ball" is potted, is is spotted, and the value of the ball on is scored. if the ball on is potted it is scored. If both the "free ball" and the ball on are potted, only the value of the ball on is scored.

Fouls If a foul is committed: 1. the player who committed the foul incurs the penalty prescribed (which is added to the opponent's score), and has to play again if requested by the next player. Once such a request has been made it cannot be withdrawn. 2. should more than one foul be committed in the same stroke the highest value penalty shall be incurred. 3. any ball improperly spotted shall remain where positioned, except that if off the table it shall be correctly spotted. Penalties for Fouls Snooker - The Rules - Snooker Canada The table Snooker is played on a rectangular snooker table with six pockets, one at each corner and one in the middle of each long side. The table usually has a slate base, covered in green baize. At one end of the table (the baulk end) is the baulk line, which is 29 inches (74 cm) from the baulk cushion (the short cushion at the baulk end). A semicircle of radius 111⁄2 inches (29 cm), called the D, is drawn behind this line, centred on the middle of the line.

The cushion at the other end of the table is known as the top cushion. A regulation (full-size) table is 12 ft × 6 ft (3.7 m × 1.8 m); because of the large size of these tables, smaller tables are common in homes, pubs and other places where space is limited. These are often around 6 feet (1.8 m) in length, and all the dimensions and markings are scaled down accordingly. The balls used are sometimes also scaled down, and/or reduced in number (in the case of the reds) such that the longest row of balls in the rack is omitted. The Balls Snooker balls, like the balls for all cue sports, are typically made of phenolic resin, but are smaller than pool balls. Regulation snooker balls (which are specified in metric units) are nominally 52.5 mm (approximately 2 1⁄15 inches) in diameter, though many sets are actually manufactured at 52.4 mm (about 2 1⁄16 in.) Some recreational sets (which are usually not measured metrically) are 2 1⁄8 in.

(about 54 mm) up to as large as pool balls, at 2 1⁄4 in. (about 57.2 mm); larger ball size requires wider pocket openings. Miniature sets also exist, for half-size home tables. There are fifteen red balls, six “colour” balls (yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, and black), and one white cue ball. Usually none of the balls are numbered, though the six colour balls often are in the US, where they are easily mistaken at first glance for pool balls (the design is similar, but the numbering does not match pool’s scheme). At the beginning of a frame, the balls are set up in the arrangement shown in the illustration. The six colours (a term referring to all balls except the white and the reds) are placed on their own spots. On the baulk line, looking up the table from the baulk end, the green ball is located where the “D” meets the line on the left, the brown ball in the middle of the line, and the yellow ball where the “D” meets the line on the right.

This order is often remembered using the mnemonic God Bless You, the first letter of each word being the first letter of the three colours. At the exact centre of the table sits the blue ball. Further up the table is the pink ball, which sits midway between the blue spot and the top cushion, followed by the red balls, arranged in a tightly-packed triangle behind the pink (the apex must be as close as possible to the pink ball without touching it). Finally, the black ball is placed on a spot 32.5 cm (12.8 in) from the top cushion. Objective The objective of the game of snooker is to strike the white cue ball with a cue in the direction of other object balls and to pot these object balls in one of the six pockets. This must be done according to the rules of the game, described below. By potting object balls points can be scored. The player who scores most points wins the frame, and the player who wins most frames wins the match. Match A match usually consists of a fixed, odd number of frames. A frame begins with setting up the balls as described above.

A frame ends when all balls are potted, or when one of the players concedes defeat because he is too far behind in score to equal or beat the score of the other player. A match ends when one of the players has won the majority of the set number of frames and the other player can therefore not equal this. For example, when a match consists of 19 frames, the match ends when one of the players has reached 10 frames. Game Play At the beginning of each frame the balls are set up by the referee as explained. This will be followed by a break-off shot, on which the players take turns. At the break-off, the white cue ball can be placed anywhere inside the D, although it is common for players to start by placing the ball on the line, between the brown ball and either the green or yellow ball. Players take turns in visiting the table. When one player is at the table, the other cannot play. A break is the number of points scored by a player in one single visit to the table. A player’s turn and break end when he fails to pot a ball, when he does something against the rules of the game, which is called a foul, or when a frame has ended.

The ball or balls that can be hit first by the white are called the ball(s) “on” for that particular stroke. The ball(s) “on” differ from shot to shot: a red ball, if potted, must be followed by a colour, and so on until a break ends; if a red is not potted, any red ball remains the ball “on”. Only a ball or balls “on” may be potted legally by a player. If a ball not “on” is potted, this is a foul. If the cue ball is touching another ball which is on or could be on, the referee shall state that the ball is a “touching ball”, whereupon the striker must “play away” from the ball without moving it, and—because the touching ball is deemed to be the object ball—without being required to hit another ball. If the object ball moves, a foul shall be called (see “Push shot”). No penalty is incurred for thus playing away if (1) the ball is on; (2) the ball could be on and the striker nominates such ball; or (3) the ball could be on and the striker nominates, and first hits, another ball that could be on.

If the cue ball is touching another ball which could not be on, it isn’t called a touching ball, and the striker must play away from it and hit a legally nominated object ball. Where the cue ball is touching several object balls simultaneously, the referee shall state “Touching ball” for each and every object ball he deems the cue ball to be touching and indicate to the player which object ball he is referring to. Either player may request the referee to confirm which object balls have been deemed a “touching ball” and the rules for each individual “touching ball” event apply simultaneously. If a ball is potted when a foul is made, depending on the situation, the potted ball will either stay off the table, or be spotted on its initial spot or it will—along with any and all balls that were moved during the foul shot—be repositioned to where it/they lay before the shot. For details on such situations, see Fouls and Miss below. The game of snooker generally consists of two phases. The first phase is the situation in which there are still red balls on the table. In the first phase, at the beginning of a player’s turn, the balls “on” are all remaining red balls.

The player must therefore attempt to first hit and pot one or more red balls. For every red ball potted, the player will receive 1 point. When a red has been potted, it will stay off the table and the player can continue the break. If no red has been potted or a foul has been made, the other player will come into play. In case one or more red balls have been potted, the player can continue the break. This time one of the six colours (yellow, green, brown, blue, pink and black) is the ball “on”. Only one of these can be the ball “on” and the rules of the game state that a player must nominate the desired colour to the referee, although it is usually clear which ball the striker is playing and it is not necessary to nominate. When the nominated colour is potted, the player will be awarded the correct number of points (yellow, 2; green, 3; brown, 4; blue, 5; pink, 6; black, 7). The colour is then taken out of the pocket by the referee and placed on its original spot. If that spot is covered by another ball, the ball is placed on the highest available spot.

If there is no available spot, it is placed as close to its own spot as possible in a direct line between that spot and the top cushion, without touching another ball. If there is no room this side of the spot, it will be placed as close to the spot as possible in a straight line towards the bottom cushion, without touching another ball. Because only one of the colours is the ball “on”, it is a foul to first hit multiple colours at the same time, or pot more than one colour (unless a free ball has been awarded, see below). If a player fails to pot a ball “on”, it being a red or nominated colour, the other player will come into play and the balls “on” are always the reds, as long as there are still reds on the table. The alternation between red balls and colours ends when all reds have been potted and a colour is potted after the last red, or a failed attempt to do so is made. All six colours have then to be potted in ascending order of their points value (yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, black). Each becomes the ball “on” in that order.

During this phase, when potted, the colours stay down and are not replaced on the table, unless a foul is made when potting the colour, in which case the colour is respotted. When the colours have been potted, the frame is over and the player who has scored most points has won it (but see below for end-of-frame scenarios). Fouls A foul is a shot or action by the striker which is against the rules of the game. When a foul is made during a shot, the player’s turn is ended and he will receive no points for the foul shot. The other player will receive penalty points.

Common fouls are: failing to hit any other ball with the cue ball first hitting a ball “not-on” with the cue ball potting a ball “not-on” hitting a ball other than the white with the cue making a ball land off the table touching the cue ball with something other than the tip of the cue (except while positioning the cue ball “in-hand”; while “in-hand” the cue ball may be touched by anything except the tip of the cue) playing a “push shot” – a shot where the cue, cue ball and object ball are in simultaneous contact playing a “jump shot”, which is where the cue ball leaves the bed of the table and jumps over a ball (even if touching it in the process) before first hitting another ball playing a shot with both feet off the ground Should a cue ball be touched with the tip while “in-hand”, i.e. when breaking-off or playing from the “D” after being potted, a foul is not committed as long as the referee is satisfied that the player was only positioning the ball, and not playing, or preparing to play, a shot. When a foul is made, the other player will receive penalty points.

Penalty points are at least 4 points and at most 7 points. The number of penalty points is the value of the ball “on”, or any of the “foul” balls, whichever is highest. When more than one foul is made, the penalty is not the added total — only the most highly valued foul is counted. Not hitting the ball “on” first is the most common foul. Players can make life difficult for an opponent by making sure that they cannot hit a ball “on” directly. This is most commonly called “snookering” one’s opponent or alternatively “laying a snooker” or putting the other player “in a snooker”. Because players receive points for fouls by their opponents, snookering one’s opponent a number of times in a row is a possible way of winning a frame when potting all the balls on the table would be insufficient to ensure a win. If a player commits a foul, and the opponent considers that the position left is unattractive, he may request that the offender play again from the resulting position.

If a foul has been committed by not hitting a ball “on” first, or at all, and the referee judges that the player has not made the best possible effort to hit a ball “on”, and neither of the players are in need of snookers to win the frame, or would be after the penalty points were applied, then “foul, and a miss” is called. In this instance the other player may request that all balls on the table are returned to their position before the foul, and the opponent play the shot again. (In top class play, this will usually require only the cue ball and a couple of other balls to be moved.) This rule is often applied less stringently, if at all, in amateur matches. Since jump shots are explicitly forbidden, it can happen that the ball “on” is physically impossible to hit even with a swerve shot. (This can happen, for instance, if the cue ball is crowded into a corner and closely surrounded by several reds after a red was potted.

It is technically possible to drive one’s opponent into a physically impossible snooker by dislodging several colours in one shot, but this is virtually unheard of.) In this case the player is nevertheless required to nominate a ball and attempt to hit it, i.e. to play in the direction that would hit it if the obstacles were not present. A foul shot will inevitably be called, but since the task was impossible, this will never be a miss, and the game continues normally. Free Ball A free ball occurs after a foul shot where the resultant layout of the table leaves the opponent “snookered”. The opponent of the player who committed the foul can choose any other ball on the table as a replacement for the ball in question, and pot this as if it were the intended ball. For example, if the ball “on” is a red, and the free ball is a pink, the player will receive one point for potting the pink (which is then respotted). He then continues to attempt to pot a colour which, if successful, is followed by another red etc. If a colour was ball on, and both the nominated ball and the actual ball on are potted, only the ball on is scored.

The free ball is spotted while, as this can only occur in the final stage of the frame, the ball on will stay off the table. This is the only time while attempting to pot a colour that two balls can be pocketed without a foul occurring. If the ball on is red and both the nominated and ball on are potted, then each ball potted is scored as a red, as would be typical if it were not a free ball. The colour free ball is then spotted and the ball on remains off the table. It is allowed to play a snooker using the free ball, providing the snooker does not leave all balls ‘on’ snookered behind the ball which has just been used as the ball ‘on’. It is allowed to cannon a ball nominated as a red into another red, so as to pot this (a plant). The only exception to this rule is if the “on” ball is a red that is being obstructed by another red.

For example, if the player breaking-off hits the white too soft and it does not hit the triangle of reds, a free-ball would not be called, even though no red can be hit on both sides, since the only thing preventing some of the reds being hit on both sides is another red. A free ball scenario does not occur when the ball gets stuck at the edge of a pocket jaw (commonly referred to as “angled’) in such a manner that the player is unable to hit any legitimate ball. This is because according to the official snooker rules a ball is snookered only if its way is obstructed by balls not on. In this scenario, after a foul, the player may choose to either take the shot from the current position or ask the offender to play again. After a free ball, a coloured ball will be played if red balls are still on the table; if not, the player will continue with the lowest value ball. A miss will be called if a player does not hit the ball “on” first and is deemed by the referee to have not made a good enough attempt at the shot. This gives the opponent the option of having the balls replaced as they were and have the fouling player take the shot again.

A miss would not normally be called should the offending player require snookers, but there are exceptions. Firstly, it may be possible to make full central contact with a ball “on” with a plain straight stroke, in which case a miss would be called every time an unsuccessful attempt at hitting it was produced. Secondly, it is still up to the referee’s discretion whether an adequate attempt at hitting the object ball was made. If the referee deems that the snookered player has made no genuine effort to hit the ball, a miss can still be called despite snookers being required. The rule was introduced to prevent players from playing professional fouls (i.e., deliberately fouling so as to leave the balls in a safe position, reducing the risk of giving a frame-winning chance to the opponent). Multiple misses often occur because players attempt to hit a shot very softly or thinly in situations where a fuller contact might leave their opponent an easy potting chance. This can lead to an apparently easy escape being attempted several times, as players feel that it is better to concede many points but leave a safe position, than concede none and leave a frame-winning chance.

However, the applied interpretation of the rule has proved controversial, as players sometimes narrowly miss a shot many times. Sometimes this is due to bad luck, or the difficulty of a snooker, meaning that a good snooker can pay more dividends than a great pot. End Of Frame A frame normally ends in one of three ways: A concession, when one player gives up due to being too far behind to have a realistic chance of winning the frame. Concession before the snookers-required stage may be interpreted as ungentlemanly conduct and result in a penalty of a second frame being applied. When the pink is potted in the final stage of the frame, and the potting player leads by more than seven points as a result. The striker may pot the black, for example to complete a high-scoring break, if he so desires. The final black is potted legally (including after a respot), and the seven points scored puts one player ahead. There are three less common ways to end a frame: A foul on the black, when the black is the only ball left. It is sometimes wrongly assumed that play continues after a foul on the black if there are fewer than seven points between the scores.

This is not the case: the player who is in the lead following the assessment of a penalty after a foul when only the black remains is the winner. Failure to hit a ball “on” three times in a row, if the player has a clear sight of the ball. The referee will warn a player after a second such miss that a third miss will mean that the opponent will be awarded the frame. This rule does not apply if the player is snookered. As missing due to avoiding a direct shot on a ball is usually a tactical, rather than skill-related, outcome, this rule is rarely invoked, as a player will simply hit the ball directly on the third shot. If the referee deems a player is taking too long to take the shot, the player may be warned. If the player continues to hesitate, the frame may be awarded to the other player at the discretion of the referee. In practice, a delay of over two minutes can result in such a forfeiture. If the score is tied after the final black is potted, the black is “respotted” and the cue ball put “in hand”. The referee will then toss a coin, with the player winning the toss choosing who will take first strike at the black.

Play then continues normally until the black is potted or another frame-ending situation occurs. BBC SPORT | Other sport... | Snooker | The rules of snooker The rules of snooker Aim of game The object of the game is to score more points than your opponent in each frame. Points are built up by potting a red followed by a colour of your choice. When all 15 reds have been cleared from the table, a player must pot the colours in order of value - lowest first. Yellow, green, brown, blue, pink and black. It is also possible to accumulate points when your opponent fouls. The following shots are classified as foul strokes. A foul is: No lower than four points and no higher than seven. Missing the ball you are aiming to hit. Potting a ball which you are not supposed to pot. If any ball jumps off the table. Potting the cue-ball. Pushing the cue-ball against another ball that is in close proximity, causing the cue to touch the white more than once. If a frame is tied then the players must play a black ball game - whoever pots the black is declared the winner.

Snooker stats The game is played on a table measuring six feet by 12 feet. At the beginning of each frame there are 15 reds on the table, each valued at one point each. The graphic explains the value of each individual ball. Unless a break begins with a free ball, the maximum score any player can score from one visit to a table is 147. This is only possible if a player pots a black with every red ball. Matches are played over an odd number of frames (eg: best of nine frames). To win a match a player must win more frames than his opponent. Bookmark with: Snooker | Billiards & Games Room Billiards & Games Room Type of Game: International or "English" snooker is the most widely played form of snooker around the world. It is generally played on 6'x12' English billiard tables, with cushions that are more narrow than on pocket billiard tables and which curve smoothly into the pocket openings. 5 x 10 and snooker tables of even smaller playing dimensions may be used for the game.

On a 6 x 12 snooker (English billiard) table the playing area within the cushion faces shall measure 11' 8.5" x 5' 10" with a tolerance on both dimensions of +/-0.5". The height of the table is measured from the floor to the top of the cushion rail, and the height shall measure 34" with an allowable variance of +/-0.5". Players: 2 Balls Used: Set of Snooker balls: fifteen object balls that are not numbered and are solid red (called reds), six object balls of other colors that are not numbered (called colors) and a cue ball (called the white ball). Point values for object balls: red-1, yellow-2, green-3, brown-4, blue-5, pink-6, black-7. In International Snooker the balls used are 2-1/16" diameter. The Rack: Play begins with the balls placed as in the diagram above . The pink is spotted on the Pyramid Spot. The apex ball of the triangle of reds is racked as close as possible to the pink without touching it.

Baulk-line and Baulk: A straight line drawn 29" from the face of the bottom cushion and parallel to it is called the Baulk-line and the intervening space termed the Baulk. The Half Circle: The Half Circle is a semi-circle described in Baulk with its center at the middle of the Baulk-line and with a radius of 11.5". When the striker has cue ball in hand within the Half Circle he may place the base of the cue ball anywhere on the line or within the Half Circle, and may use his hand or any part of his cue (including the tip) to position the cue ball--as long as it is judged he is not attempting to play a stroke. Object of the Game: To score a greater number of points than opponent. Scoring: Points are scored in two ways: players are awarded points for fouls by the opponent (see Penalties For Fouls below), and by legally potting reds or colors. Each legally potted red ball has a point value of one; each legally potted color ball has a point value as indicated (Balls Used above).

A frame ends when all balls have been potted, following the Rules of Play ; if, however, only the black (7) ball is left on the table, the frame ends with the first score or foul. If the players' scores are equal after that scoring, the black is spotted on its original position and the layers lag or draw lots for the choice of playing at, or assigning opponent to play at, the black ball with the cue ball in hand within the Half Circle, first score or foul then ends the frame. Opening Break: Players lag or draw lots for choice of break in the opening frame. In a match format the players alternate the break in subsequent frames. Starting player has cue ball in hand within the Half Circle. He must cause the cue ball to contact a red ball. It is not necessary to send a ball to a rail or into a pocket. Failure to meet this requirement is a foul (see Penalties For Fouls ) A foul is scored and--with all fouls--the incoming player has a choice of (1) accepting the table and becoming the striker, or (2) requiring the offender to break again.

Rules of Play A legally potted ball entitles the striker to continue at the table until he fails to legally pot a ball. On all shots, the striker must comply with the appropriate requirements of Rules of Play 5 and 6. It is not necessary to cause the cue ball or an object ball to contact a cushion or drop in a pocket after the cue ball has contacted a legal object ball (ball on). Failure to contact a legal object ball first is a foul. As long as reds are on the table, the incoming striker (player taking his first stroke of an inning) always has a red as his legal object ball (ball on). Any red balls potted on a legal shot are legally potted balls; the striker need not call any particular red ball(s), pocket(s) or details of how the pot will be played. When the striker has a red ball as his "ball on" (legal object ball), he must cause the cue ball's first contact to be with a red ball.

Failure to do so is a foul (See Penalties For Fouls ) After the striker has scored a red ball initially, his next legal object is a color, and as long as reds remain on the table he must alternate his play between reds and colors (though within each group he may play a ball of his choice). When reds remain on the table and a color is his object, the striker must (a) designate prior to stroking which color ball is his object (that specific color is then his "ball on"), and (b) cause the cue ball's first contact with a ball to be with that colored ball. If the striker fails to meet these requirements, it is a foul (See Penalties For Fouls ). If the striker's ball on is a red, and he pots a color, it is a foul. If the striker's ball on is a color, and he pots any other ball, it is a foul. Jump shots are illegal in International Snooker. It is a foul if the striker intentionally causes the cue ball to jump (rise from the bed of the table) by any means, if the jump is an effort to clear an obstructing ball.

While reds remain on the table, each potted color is spotted prior to the next stroke (see Spotting Balls below for spotting rules). After a color has been spotted, if the striker plays while that ball is incorrectly spotted (and opponent or referee calls it before two such plays have been taken), the shot taken is a foul. If the striker plays two strokes after such error without its being announced by opponent or referee, he is free of penalty and continues playing and scoring normally as though the spotting error simply had not occurred. The striker is responsible for ensuring that all balls are correctly spotted before striking. If the striker plays while a ball(s) that should be on the table is not a foul may be awarded whenever the foul is discovered during the striker's inning. Any scoring prior to the discovery of the foul will count. When no reds remain on the table, striker's balls on become the colors, in ascending numerical order (2,3,4,5,6,7). These legally potted colors are not spotted after each is potted; they remain off the table.

(The black (7) ball is an exception in the case of a tie score; see Scoring .) Illegally Potted Ball: Reds illegally potted are not spotted; they remain off the table. Colors illegally potted are spotted. (See Spotting Balls .) Object Balls Jumped off the Table: Reds jumped off the table are not spotted and the striker has committed a foul. Colors jumped off the table are spotted and the striker has committed a foul. ( See Penalties For Fouls ) Spotting Balls: Reds are never spotted. Colors to be spotted are placed as at the start of the game. If a color's spot is occupied (to mean that to spot it would make it touch a ball), it is placed on the spot of the highest value color that is unoccupied. If all spots are occupied, the color is spotted as close as possible to its original spot on a straight line between its spot and the nearest point on the top (foot) cushion. Cue Ball after Jumping off the Table: Incoming player has cue ball in hand within the Half Circle.

When cue ball is in hand within the Half Circle (except the opening break), there is no restriction (based on position of reds or colors) as to what balls may be played; striker may play at any ball on regardless of where it is on the table. Touching a Ball: While balls are in play it is a foul if the striker touches any object ball or if the striker touches the cue ball with anything other than the tip during a legal stroke. Snookered: The cue ball is snookered when a direct stroke in a straight line to any part of every ball on is obstructed by a ball or balls not on. If there is any one ball that is not so obstructed, the cue ball is not snookered. If in-hand within the Half Circle, the cue ball is snookered only if obstructed from all positions on or within the Half Circle. If the cue ball is obstructed by more than one ball, the one nearest to the cue ball is the effective snookering ball. Angled: The cue ball is angled when a direct stroke in a straight line to any part of every ball on is obstructed by a corner of the cushion.

If there is any one ball on that is not so obstructed, the cue ball is not angled. If angled after a foul the referee or player will state "Angled Ball", and the striker has the choice to either (1) play from that position or (2) play from in hand within the Half Circle. Occupied: A spot is said to be occupied if a ball cannot be placed on it without its touching another ball. Touching Ball: If the cue ball is touching another ball which is, or can be, on, the referee or player shall state "Touching Ball." Thereafter the striker must play away from it or it is a push stroke (foul). No penalty is incurred for thus playing away if (1) the ball is not on; the ball is on and the striker nominates such ball; or (3) the ball is on and the striker nominates, and first hits, another ball.

[If the referee considers that a touching ball has moved through an agency other than the player, it is not a foul.] Push Stroke: A push stroke is a foul and is made when the tip of the cue remains in contact with the cue ball (1) when the cue ball makes contact with the object ball, or (2) after the cue ball has commenced its forward motion. Provided that where the cue ball and an object ball are almost touching, it shall be deemed a legal stroke if the cue ball hits the finest possible edge of the object ball. Miss: The striker shall to the best of his ability endeavor to hit the ball on. If the referee considers the rule infringed he shall call foul and a "miss." The incoming player (1) may play the ball(s) as they lie, or (2) may request that the ball(s) be returned to the original position and have the offending player play the stroke again. Note: if the ball on cannot possibly be hit, the striker is judged to be attempting to hit the ball on.

Free Ball: After a foul, if the cue ball is snookered, the referee or player shall state "Free Ball." If the non-offending layer takes the next stroke he may nominate any ball as on. For this stroke, such ball shall be regarded as, and acquire the value of, the ball on. It is a foul should the cue ball fail to first hit, or - except when only the pink and black remain on the table - be snookered by, the free ball. If the "free ball" is potted, is is spotted, and the value of the ball on is scored. if the ball on is potted it is scored. If both the "free ball" and the ball on are potted, only the value of the ball on is scored. Fouls If a foul is committed: the player who committed the foul incurs the penalty prescribed (which is added to the opponent's score), and has to play again if requested by the next player. Once such a request has been made it cannot be withdrawn. should more than one foul be committed in the same stroke the highest value penalty shall be incurred. any ball improperly spotted shall remain where positioned, except that if off the table it shall be correctly spotted.

Penalties for Fouls The following are fouls and incur a penalty of four points or the higher one prescribed: value of the ball on - by striking: when the balls are still moving from the previous shot. the cue ball more than once (double hit). without at least one foot on the floor. out of turn. value of the ball on or ball concerned - by causing: a ball not on to enter a pocket. the cue ball to first hit a ball not on. a push stroke. by striking with a ball not correctly spotted. by touching a ball with other than the tip of the cue. by forcing a ball off the table. value of the ball on or higher value of the two balls by causing the cue ball to hit simultaneously two balls other than two reds or a "free ball" and the ball on. penalty of seven points is incurred if - the striker after potting a red commits a foul before nominating a color. uses a ball off the table for any purpose. plays at reds in successive strokes. uses as the cue ball any ball other than the white one. Disclaimer This file contains property copyrighted by the Billiard Congress of America .

Any modification or sale of the information herein is strictly prohibited by the laws governing that copyright. Please direct questions regarding interpretation of the following, or information on how to receive the current BCA "Billiards - The Official Rules and Records book" to the Billiard Congress of America at 910 23rd Avenue, Coralville, IA 52241. Phone: 319-351-2112, Fax: 319-351-7767. 3D Billiards by FlyOrDie - Snooker Rules Snooker rules Rating system 1. Aim of the game Snooker is played with fifteen object balls that are not numbered and are solid red (called reds), six object balls of other colors that are not numbered (called colors in snooker) and a cue ball (called the white ball). The aim of snooker is to pocket the balls legally according to the rules and to score a greater number of points than the opponent. Point values for object balls: red-1, yellow-2, green-3, brown-4, blue-5, pink-6, black-7. 2.

Opening break rules The game of Snooker begins with the cue ball in hand in the Half Circle (so the starting player can place the cue ball anywhere inside the Half Circle). The rules for the opening break are the same as when one of the players gets the right to strike. 3. Game Rules A player who gets the right to strike has to hit one of the red ball first. If there are no more red balls on the table, the ball on will be the ball with the lowest point value. Each shot has to be completed in 60 seconds, otherwise a foul is called. A strike, when the next legal object is a red ball, is legal when: The white ball is not potted. The white ball hits a red ball first. Only red balls are potted. Otherwise the strike is a foul. When the strike on the red ball is legal: If no red ball is potted then the opposing player is next. When a red ball is potted then the player gets as many points as the number of red balls he has potted. The striker's next legal object is a colored ball (see next point rules).

After successfully potting one or more red(s), the player has to nominate a color (other than red), which will be the "ball on" for the next shot. The shot is legal if the white ball is not potted. the nominated ball is hit by the white ball first. no other ball is potted. Otherwise the strike is a foul. When the strike on the colored ball is legal: If no ball is potted then the opposing player is next. When a colored ball is potted then the player's points increase by the point value of the potted colored ball. The striker's next legal object is a red ball. If there are no more red balls on the table, the next legal object is the ball with the lowest points. 4. Snooker Fouls If a hit is a foul then the other player gets penalty points: 4 points if the white ball is potted. 7 points if time limit is exceeded (60 seconds/shot) If the white hits the wrong ball first then the value of this ball. If the wrong ball is potted first then the value of this ball. When a hit results in more fouls then the opposing player gets the points of foul with the highest value.

Penalty points have a minimal value of 4. After committing a foul the incoming player may play the ball(s) as they lie request to pass the shot and let the offending player play the stroke again (without returning to the original position) 5. Free ball After a foul, if the cue ball is snookered, the next player may nominate any ball to play as a "Free ball". For this stroke, such ball shall be regarded as, and acquire the value of, the ball on. It is a foul should the cue ball fail to first hit, or - except when only the pink and black remain on the table - be snookered by, the free ball. If the "free ball" is potted, it is spotted, and the value of the ball on is scored. If the ball on is potted it is scored. For example, if the ball "on" is a red, and the nominated free ball is a pink, the player will receive one point for potting the pink (which is then respotted). He then continues to attempt to pot a colour which, if successful, is followed by another red etc. 6.

Foul and miss If the player did not hit the ball on first, it is a "miss", and the next player may request that the ball(s) be returned to the original position and have the offending player play the stroke again. This can be requested three times in a row. This rule is only included in the "PRO" mode of the game. 7. Game over rule potting or fouling when only the Black remains. one of the player concedes. the point difference between the players at the end of the shooter's break is more than the remaining points on the table plus 20, the frame ends automatically. there is more than 7 points difference and only the black ball remaining on the table. The player with more points wins the frame. Playoff: If the scores are equal after potting the last ball, the black ball is respotted and the player on plays again from the D. The first foul or pot ends the game. 8. Snooker variants Quick snooker: the rules are the same, but there are only six reds on the table, only 25 seconds is available per shot, and the game is played on a smaller table.

Lite snooker: the rules are the same, but there are only ten reds (six optionally) on the table, and the game is played on a pool-sized table using pool-sized balls.

Power snooker: the rules are the same, with the following modifications: 20 seconds shot clock, if it is exceeded, the opponent gets 20 points the duration of a game is 15 minutes (10, 20, 30 optionally) if at least two reds hit the cushion at the break shot, the player who broke remains at the table the table is re-racked after the last black is potted there are 9 reds in a diamond shaped-rack, one of those is the special power ball the power ball scores 2 points when potted, and it starts a 2 minutes power play any balls potted during power play counts double any foul during a power play counts double any pot with the cue ball in the power zone (behind the baulk line) counts double (quadruple during power play) any foul with the cue ball in the power zone counts double (quadruple during power play) after any foul, the opponent may move the cue ball anywhere in the power zone

Question: In snooker, what colour is the ball that begins a game in the centre of the table?
Answer: Blue