Snooker rules
The rules club players argue about, in plain English.
The frame
- How snooker is scoredBall values, the order you pot them, and why the maximum break is 147. How scoring works in a frame of snooker.
- Snookers requiredWhen the lead is bigger than the points left, the trailing player needs snookers. How many, and how each one is counted.
- The re-spotted blackWhat happens when the scores are level after the last black: the re-spotted black, who plays first, and how it ends.
Fouls
- Fouls and penaltiesWhat counts as a foul in snooker and how many points it gives away: 4 at least, up to 7, and what the next player can choose.
- The free ballWhen a foul leaves you snookered, you get a free ball: any ball can be played as the ball on. How the free ball works.
- The miss ruleFoul and a miss: when a player does not make a good enough attempt to hit the ball on. How the miss rule works, and why many club leagues play without it.
- The touching ballWhen the cue ball comes to rest against another ball: play away without moving it. How the touching ball rule works.
Shorter games
- Six-red snookerSix-red snooker: six reds instead of fifteen, the same rules, a maximum break of 75. Quicker frames for club nights.
- Ten-red snookerTen-red snooker: ten reds, the same rules, a maximum break of 107.
- Snooker Shoot Out rulesOne frame, ten minutes, a shot clock: the Snooker Shoot Out rules, from ball in hand to the blue ball decider.