Table and Balls
A standard snooker table measures 350 cm long, 175 cm wide, and 85 cm high. The game uses 22 balls in total:
15 red balls (1 point each)
1 yellow ball (2 points)
1 green ball (3 points)
1 brown ball (4 points)
1 blue ball (5 points)
1 pink ball (6 points)
1 black ball (7 points)
1 white cue ball (used to strike all others)
Starting Play
Before the break, the cue ball can be placed anywhere within the D-shaped break area. The break shot must strike a red ball first, either directly or via a cushion.
Play alternates between pocketing a red ball and then a colored ball:
Reds, once potted, remain off the table.
Colors, when potted during this stage, are respotted to their original positions.
Once all reds are cleared, players must pot the colors in order of ascending value:
yellow → green → brown → blue → pink → black.
At this stage, colors are not replaced once potted.
End of a Frame
When only the black ball remains:
Potting it or committing a foul ends the frame.
If scores are tied, the black is re-spotted for a sudden-death tiebreak.
In this decider, potting the black or committing a foul immediately ends the game.
Fouls and Penalties
Fouls result in points being awarded to the opponent.
Standard Fouls (minimum 4 points):
Playing the cue ball before it has come to rest.
Striking the cue ball more than once with the cue tip.
Failing to strike the cue ball at all.
Potting the cue ball.
Playing with both feet off the ground.
Failing to place the cue ball inside the break area during the break.
Playing a jump shot that results in the cue ball being potted.
Knocking a ball off the table.
Hitting a ball that is not “on.”
Touching any ball with body, clothing, cue, or equipment during a stroke.
Serious Fouls (7 points):
Failing to nominate a color after potting a red.
Striking a red instead of a nominated color.
Using any ball other than the white cue ball as the striker.
Scoring and Play
Snooker scoring comes from both potting balls and penalty points from an opponent’s fouls.
Red = 1 point
Yellow = 2 points
Green = 3 points
Brown = 4 points
Blue = 5 points
Pink = 6 points
Black = 7 points
When attempting a red, failing to hit one results in a 4-point foul. If a color is struck instead, the penalty is its value (minimum 4). For example:
Missing and hitting the black = 7-point foul.
Missing and hitting the yellow = 4-point foul.
When playing a color, if the nominated ball is missed, the penalty equals that ball’s value. If a higher-value ball is struck by mistake, the penalty is that higher value (again, minimum 4).
If the cue ball is potted, penalty points equal the highest-value ball involved in the shot (minimum 4). The incoming player then plays from the D area.
Declaring Colors
After potting a red, a player must nominate the intended color.
If obvious, no declaration is required.
If unclear, the player must verbally nominate; failing to do so results in a 7-point penalty.
Strategic Play
If no scoring opportunity is available, players may attempt a snooker—leaving the opponent unable to directly strike the legal ball, forcing a difficult escape and increasing the chance of a foul.
Match Format
Matches can be played as a single frame or in a series (best of 3, 5, or 7 frames).
The World Championship final is contested over 35 frames.
In case of a tied match, a single black-ball shootout decides the winner.
Etiquette and Conduct
Snooker places strong emphasis on sportsmanship and proper conduct:
A coin toss decides who breaks. Never spin the coin on the table to protect the cloth.
Remain silent during play and avoid distracting positions (e.g., standing behind a player’s target pocket).
In friendly games without a referee, assist by replacing balls and calling scores honestly.
Admit fouls voluntarily, even if unnoticed.
Maintain gentlemanly behavior at all times—snooker, like golf, is a sport built on fairness and respect.
