Snooker Rules

The game of snooker is played around the world. The "official" table for snooker is rectangular and measures 6 feet by 12 feet, with smaller cushions and pockets than a billiards table. There are six pockets (or pots) on the table, one in each corner and one in the middle of each side. The object of the game, which is played by two players, is to score more than your opponent by using a cue and a cue (white) ball to pocket or pot the 21 other balls.

  1. The Striker

    • The striker must use a cue and the white ball to sink the other 21 balls until unable to do so. The striker must hit the object balls in order. The striker does not have to make the cue ball or an object ball touch one of the table cushions or sink an object ball after hitting it.

    Object ball

    • As long as there are "reds" on the table, the striker must always hit a "red" first. The striker does not have to call any particular "red," pocket or details of their shot before trying to place a "red" in a pocket.

    Ball of color

    • After a striker pockets a "red", the next object ball is a "color." As long as there are still "reds" on the table, the striker must alternate play between "reds" and "colors." When "reds" are still on the table, the striker can hit "colors" in any order.

    Fouls

    • It is a foul if the striker pots a "color" and a "red" is the object ball. It is also a foul if the the striker pots a different "color" than the one designated.

    Jump shots

    • In international snooker, jump shots are illegal. A jump shot is any shot where the striker makes the cue ball lose contact with the table in an effort to clear a ball that is in the way of an object ball.

    Potted Balls

    • If there are still "reds" on the table, each pocketed "color" is returned to the table. Once all "reds" are pocketed, the object balls become the "colors" in ascending point order.

    A tie

    • In case of a tie, the black ball will be re-spotted. Then, the strikers will take turns trying to pot the black ball until there is a winner.