Snooker: Basic Rules (A Quick Guide)
Objective of the Game
- Score more points than your opponent by potting balls in the correct order.
- The player with the highest total score at the end of the frame wins.
Ball Values
- Reds = 1 point each
- Colours:
- Yellow = 2
- Green = 3
- Brown = 4
- Blue = 5
- Pink = 6
- Black = 7
Order of Play
- Players must pot a red, then pot a colour, then red, then colour, and so on.
- Reds stay off the table once potted.
- Colours are re-spotted on their spots after being potted until all reds are gone.
- After all reds are potted, colours must be potted in ascending order (2–7) and are not re-spotted.
Starting the Game (Break-off)
- One player breaks off from the “D”.
- A legal break must hit a red ball.
Fouls (Common Examples)
- Missing all balls (“failing to hit a ball”).
- Hitting a colour first when a red is on, or vice versa.
- Potting the cue ball (“in-off”).
- Potting the wrong ball.
- Jumping the cue ball off the table.
- Making contact with balls by hand, clothing, or cue (except the tip in a legal shot).
Foul Penalty Points:
- Minimum 4 points, or
- The value of the ball “on”, whichever is higher.
- Some fouls (e.g., involving blue, pink, or black) can be worth 5, 6, or 7 points.
Free Ball
- Awarded after a foul if the incoming player is snookered.
- The player may nominate any ball as a red or colour, following normal scoring rules.
Snookers & Safety
- Players don’t have to pot every shot; they can play safety to try to snooker their opponent.
- Putting the opponent in a difficult position can lead to fouls and extra points.
End of the Frame
- The frame ends when:
- All balls are legally potted, or
- One player concedes because they cannot catch up.
Tie (Re-spotted Black)
- If scores are tied after the final black is potted:
- The black is re-spotted.
- Players toss a coin for who plays first.
- First to pot the black wins.