Snooker: Fouls & Penalties

Last updated April 13, 2026

Snooker: Fouls & Penalties

When a foul is committed, the referee calls FOUL. The striker's turn ends, all points scored in that stroke are void, and penalty points are awarded to the opponent. If multiple fouls occur in the same stroke, only the highest penalty applies.

Standard Fouls (4 points minimum)

The following are fouls carrying a minimum penalty of 4 points (or the value of the ball on, whichever is higher):

  • Failing to hit any object ball with the cue ball
  • Pocketing the cue ball (in-off / scratch)
  • Hitting a ball not on first (e.g., hitting a colour when a red is on)
  • Pocketing a ball not on (e.g., sinking a colour when you should be on a red)
  • Playing a push stroke (the cue tip staying in contact with the cue ball after it starts moving)
  • Playing a jump shot (the cue ball passing over any part of an object ball)
  • Striking with both feet off the floor
  • Playing before all balls have come to rest
  • Playing before the referee has finished spotting a colour
  • Striking the cue ball more than once in a single stroke
  • Playing improperly from in-hand (cue ball outside the "D")
  • Touching any ball in play with your body, clothing, or equipment
  • Causing a ball to be forced off the table (a ball comes to rest somewhere other than on the playing surface or in a pocket)
  • Using a ball off the table for any purpose (7-point penalty)
  • Using any object to measure distances (7-point penalty)
  • Playing at reds in successive strokes without a colour in between (7-point penalty)

Penalty Point Values

The penalty depends on which balls are involved:

Situation Penalty
Foul involving only the ball on Value of ball on (minimum 4)
Foul involving a ball not on Value of ball on or ball concerned, whichever is higher (minimum 4)
Simultaneous hit on two balls illegally Value of ball on or higher-value ball, whichever is greater
Special fouls (using ball off table, measuring, etc.) 7 points

After a Foul

The incoming player has options:

  1. Play from position — take the cue ball where it lies and play your shot
  2. Ask the opponent to play again — force the fouler to return to the table and play from the position left

If the striker disturbs a ball before actually making a stroke (e.g., accidentally touching a ball while lining up), the non-offender may also request all balls be replaced to their original positions.

Snookered After a Foul (Free Ball)

If, after a foul, the incoming player is snookered on all balls on, the referee calls FREE BALL. The player may then:

  • Nominate any ball as the ball on
  • The nominated free ball takes on the value of the actual ball on (e.g., if reds are on, the free ball is worth 1 point)
  • If the free ball is potted, it is re-spotted and the value of the ball on is scored
  • It is a foul to leave your opponent snookered behind the nominated free ball after a non-scoring stroke (except when only two object balls remain on the table, e.g., Pink and Black)

Foul and a Miss

The striker must always make a genuine attempt to hit the ball on. If the referee judges that the striker did not try their best, they call FOUL AND A MISS.

  • The non-offender can request the opponent play again from the position left or the original position (all balls replaced)
  • If a clear straight-line path to the ball on exists and the striker still misses, a stricter sequence applies:
    • A second failure from the original position is called FOUL AND A MISS regardless of score difference
    • On the third failure, after a formal Warning from the referee, the frame is awarded to the opponent
  • A Warning must be given before a frame can be awarded — this is a mandatory step
  • If the opponent instead chooses "play from position left" at any point, the Foul and a Miss sequence resets

Exception: A miss will not be called if the player needed penalty points to win and the referee is satisfied the miss was not intentional.

Penalties (Non-Striker Infringements)

A penalty is an infringement that does not affect the order of play (unlike a foul, which ends the offender's turn):

  • If the non-striker comes to the table out of turn and disturbs balls: penalty points are awarded to the striker, balls are replaced, and the striker's turn continues
  • Touching any ball during a consultation period: 7-point penalty
  • Non-striker using a ball off the table or measuring distances: 7-point penalty

Condoning a Foul

If a foul or penalty is neither called by the referee nor claimed by the non-striker before the next stroke is made, it is condoned — meaning it is overlooked and play continues as normal.