Snooker: The Game
Snooker: The Game
Snooker is a cue sport played on a large rectangular table (11 ft 8½ in x 5 ft 10 in) with six pockets. Two players compete using a white cue ball and 21 object balls: 15 reds (each worth 1 point) and 6 colours.
Based on the Official Rules of the WPBSA (World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association), revised September 2024.
Ball Values
| Ball | Value |
|---|---|
| Red | 1 |
| Yellow | 2 |
| Green | 3 |
| Brown | 4 |
| Blue | 5 |
| Pink | 6 |
| Black | 7 |
The maximum break in a single frame is 147 (achieved by potting all 15 reds, each followed by the black, then all six colours in order).
Objective
Players take turns at the table. The goal is to score more points than your opponent in each frame (a single round of play from the opening shot until all balls are potted or a concession is made). A game is an agreed number of frames, and a match is an agreed number of games.
How to Play
- Opening: Players determine order of play. The first player plays from in-hand (placing the cue ball anywhere within the "D" at the baulk end).
- Potting sequence: Players must pot a red first, then choose any colour (which is re-spotted), then a red again, alternating red-colour until all 15 reds are off the table.
- Clearing the colours: Once all reds are potted and the final colour after the last red is played, the six colours must be potted in ascending order of value: Yellow, Green, Brown, Blue, Pink, Black. These colours now stay off the table when potted.
- End of frame: The frame ends when the final black is potted, or when only the black remains and one player leads by more than 7 points (they may claim the frame). If scores are tied with only the black remaining, the black is re-spotted and players draw lots for who plays next from in-hand — the first pot or foul decides the frame.
Scoring
- Points for legally potted balls are added to the striker's score.
- Penalty points from fouls are added to the opponent's score.
- A player continues their turn (called a break) as long as they keep legally potting balls.
- If the striker fails to pot a ball, or commits a foul, their turn ends.
The Table Layout
- Baulk end (bottom): The baulk line is drawn 29 inches from the bottom cushion. The "D" is a semicircle on this line.
- Baulk spots: Yellow (right of D), Brown (centre of D), Green (left of D).
- Centre: Blue spot (centre of table).
- Top half: Pink spot (midway between blue and top cushion). Black spot (12¾ inches from the top cushion).
- Reds: Racked in a tight triangle behind the pink spot, with the apex red as close to the pink as possible without touching it.
Conceding a Frame
A player may offer a concession at any time, but it only takes effect if the opponent accepts it. A player should not concede a frame unless a player needs penalty points to win (i.e., the points remaining on the table aren't enough). Conceding prematurely may be treated as unsporting conduct.
Stalemate (Re-rack)
If the referee believes a stalemate exists or is approaching, they may offer both players the option to restart the frame. If either player objects, play continues with the condition that the situation must change within a stated period (usually three more strokes per side). If unchanged, the frame is re-racked and restarted by the same opening player.