The
rules of snooker / 1991
This site has been visited 
times
since June 7, 1997.
Index
1.
The Standard Table
2. Balls
3. Cue
4. Ancillary
1.
Frame
2. Game
3. Match
4. Balls
5. Striker
6. Stroke
7. In-hand
8. Ball in Play
9. Ball On
10. Nominated Ball
11. Pot
12. Break
13. Forced off the table
14. Foul
15. Snookered
16. Angled
17. Occupied
18. Push stroke
19. Jump Shot
20. Miss
1.
Description
2. Position of Balls
3. Mode of play
4. To Play from In-hand
5. Hitting Two Balls Simultaneously
6. Spotting Colours
7. Touching Ball
8. Ball on the Edge of Pocket
9. Free Ball
10. Fouls
11. Penalties
12. Ball Moved by Other than Striker
13. Stalemate
14. Four-handed Snooker
1.
Time Wasting
2. Unfair Conduct
3. Penalty
4. Non-striker
5. Absence
1.
The Referee
2. The Marker
More information
about the rules
1. The Standard Table
(Metric)
a. Dimensions
The playing area within the cushion faces shall measure
3500mm x 1750 mm with a tolerance on both dimensions of +/- 3 mm.
b. Height
The height of the table from the floor to the top of
the cushion rail shall be from 850 mm to 875 mm.
c. Pocket openings
{i) There shall be pockets at
the corners (two at the Spot end known as the top pockets and two at the baulk
end known as the bottom pockets) and at the middle of the longer sides.
(ii) The pocket openings shall conform to the templates authorised by the
Billiards and Snooker Control Council.
d. Baulk-line and Baulk
A straight line drawn 700 mm (1/5th the length of the
playing area) from the face of the bottom cushion and parallel to it is called
the Baulk-line and the intervening space termed the Baulk.
e. The "D"
The "D" is a semi-circle described in baulk
with its centre at the middle of the Baulk-line and a radius of 292 mm (1/6th
the width of the playing area).
f. Spots
Four spots marked on the centre longitudinal line of
the table.
(i) the Spot:
320
mm (1/11th the length of the playing area) from the point perpendicular below
the face of the top cushion.
(ii) the Centre Spot:
midway
between the centre pockets and equidistant from the faces of the top and bottom
cushions.
(iii) the Pyramid Spot:
midway
between the centre spot and the face of the top cushion.
(iv) the middle of the Baulk
line.
2. Balls
(a)
The balls shall have a diameter of 52.5 mm with a
tolerance of +0.05/-0.08 mm.
(b)
They shall be of equal weight
within a tolerance of
(i)
3 gms per Snooker set, and
(ii) 0.5 gms per Billiard set.
3. Cue
The cue shall be not less than 910 mm in length and
shall show no substantial departure from the traditional and generally accepted
shape and form.
4. Ancillary
"Rests" may be used to provide a bridge for
the cue.
1. Frame
A frame is completed when
(a)
conceded, or
(b) the black is finally potted or fouled.
2. Game
A game is an agreed number of frames.
3. Match
A match is an agreed number of games.
4. Balls
(a) the white ball is the cue-ball.
(b) the 15 reds, and
(c) the 6 colours, are object balls.
5. Striker
The person about to play or in play is the striker, and
remains so until completion of the stroke or break (Sec. 2 Rules 6 & 12).
6. Stroke
(a) a stroke is made when the striker strikes the
cue-ball with the tip of the cue.
(b) for the stroke to be a
'Fair Stroke' the following conditions must be met:
(i)
at the moment of striking, all balls must be at rest, and where necessary,
colours correctly spotted.
(ii) the cue-ball must be struck and not pushed.
(iii) the cue-ball must not be struck more than once in the same stroke.
(iv) at the moment of striking, at least one of the striker's feet must be
touching the floor.
(v) the striker must not touch any other ball other than the cue-ball as in
section (a) above.
(vi) a ball or balls must not be 'forced off the
table'.
(c) a stroke is not competed until all balls have come
to rest and the referee has decided the striker has left the table.
7. In-hand
(a) the cue-ball is in-hand when it has entered a
pocket or has been forced off the table.
(b) it remains in-hand until played fairly from in-hand or a foul is committed
whilst the ball is on the table.
8. Ball in Play
(a) the cue-ball is in play when not in-hand.
(b) object balls are in play when spotted and remain so until pocketed or
forced off the table.
9. Ball On
Any ball which may be lawfully hit by the first impact
of the cue-ball is said to be on.
10. Nominated Ball
A nominated ball is the object ball which the striker
declares, or indicates to the satisfaction of the referee, he undertakes to hit
with the first impact of the cue-ball.
11. Pot
(a) a pot is when an object
ball, after contact with another ball, and without any contravention of these
rules, enters a pocket.
(b) if a colour, it shall be
spotted before the next stroke is made, until finally potted under Sec. 3 Rule
3.
(c) if a stroke is made, with
a ball or balls incorrectly spotted, and a foul is not awarded, the ball or
balls
(i)
if on the table will be considered to be correctly spotted.
(ii) if not on the table will be spotted when the foul is awarded.
12. Break
(a) if a ball is potted, the same player plays the next
stroke.
(b) a break is a number of pots in succession made in any one turn.
13. Forced off the table
(a) a ball is forced off the table if it comes to rest
other than on the bed of the table or in a pocket.
(b) if a colour it shall be spotted as per Sec 3 Rule 6 before the next stroke
is made.
14. Foul
A foul is any act in contravention of these rules.
15. Snookered
(a) the cue-ball is snookered when a direct stroke in a
straight line to any part of every ball on is obstructed by a ball or balls not
on.
(b) if in-hand, the cue-ball is snookered only if obstructed from all positions
on or within the lines of the "D".
(c) if the cue-ball is obstructed by more than one ball, the one nearest to the
cue-ball is the effective snookering ball.
16. Angled
(a) the cue-ball is angled when a direct stroke in a
straight line to any part of every ball on is obstructed by a corner of the
cushion.
If angled after a foul,
(b) the referee will state angled ball, and
(c) it may be played from in-hand at the striker's discretion.
17. Occupied
A spot is said to be occupied if a ball cannot be
placed on it without it touching another ball.
18. Push stroke
A push stroke is a foul and is made when the tip of the
cue remains in contact with the cue-ball,
(a) when the cue-ball makes
contact with the object ball, or
(b) after the cue-ball has
commenced its forward motion.
PROVIDED
that where the cue-ball and an object ball are almost touching, it shall be
deemed a fair stroke if the cue-ball hits the finest possible edge of the
object ball.
19. Jump Shot
A jump shot is when the cue-ball jumps over any ball
except when it first strikes the object ball and then jumps over another ball.
20. Miss
A miss is when the referee considers the striker has
not endeavoured to hit the ball on.
1. Description
The game of Snooker is played on an English Billiard
Table and may be played by two or more persons, either as sides or
independently.
Points are awarded for scoring strokes and forfeits from an opponent's fouls.
The winner is the player or side making the highest score or to whom the game
is awarded under Sec. 4 Rule 2.
Each player uses the same WHITE cue-ball and there are twenty-one object balls
- fifteen reds each valued 1 and six colours: yellow valued 2, green 3, brown
4, blue 5, pink 6 and black 7.
Scoring strokes are made by potting reds and colours alternately until all the
reds are off the table and then the colours in the ascending order of their value,
i.e. - yellow to black.
2. Position of Balls
At the commencement of each frame the object balls are
positioned as follows:
BLACK on the SPOT; PINK on the PYRAMID SPOT; BLUE on the CENTRE SPOT; BROWN on
the MIDDLE of the BAULK-line; GREEN on the LEFT-HAND and YELLOW on the
RIGHT-HAND corner of the "D".
The reds in the form of a triangle, the ball at the apex standing as near to
the pink as possible, without touching it, the base being parallel with and
nearest to the top cushion.
3. Mode of play
(a) the players shall determine the order of play which
(subject to Sec. 3 Rule 10) must remain unaltered throughout the frame.
(b) the first player shall play from in-hand and the frame starts with the
first stroke.
(c) the cue-ball
(i)
must first hit a ball on, and
(ii)
must not enter a pocket.
(d) a ball not on must not enter a pocket.
(e) (i) for the first stroke of each turn, until all are off the table, red is
the ball on.
(e) (ii) the value of each red, or ball nominated as red, potted in the same
stroke is scored.
(f) if a red is potted, the next ball on is a colour, which if potted is
scored. The colour is then re-spotted.
(g) until all reds are off the table the break is continued by potting reds and
colours alternately.
(h) if the striker fails to score the next player plays from where the cue-ball
comes to rest.
(i) the colours then become on in the ascending order of their values (Sec. 3
Rule 1) and when potted remain off the table (except as provided for in the
next paragraph).
(j) when only the black is
left the first score or foul ends the frame, unless the scores are then equal,
in which case:
(i)
the Black is spotted.
(ii) the players draw lots for choice of playing.
(iii) the next player plays from in-hand.
(iv) the next score or foul ends the frame.
(k) the striker shall to the best of his ability
endeavour to hit the ball on. If the referee considers the rule infringed he
shall call foul and miss.
4. To Play from In-hand
To play from in-hand the cue-ball must be struck from a
position on or within the lines of the "D".
5. Hitting Two Balls
Simultaneously
Two balls, other than two reds or a free ball and the
ball on, must not be hit simultaneously by the cue-ball.
6. Spotting Colours
(a) if a colour has to be spotted, and its own spot is
occupied, it shall be placed on the highest-value spot available.
(b) if there is more than one colour, and their own spots are occupied, the
highest value ball takes precedence.
(c) if all spots are occupied, the colour shall be placed as near as possible
to its own spot between that spot and the nearest part of the top cushion.
(d) if, in the case of the Black and the Pink, the space between its own spot
and the nearest part of the top cushion is occupied, the colour shall be placed
as near as possible to its own spot on the centre line of the table below that
spot.
7. Touching Ball
(a) if the cue-ball is touching another ball which is,
or can be, on, the referee shall state TOUCHING BALL.
(b) the striker must play away from it or it is a push stroke.
(c) no penalty is incurred for
thus playing away if:
(i)
the ball is not on.
(ii) the ball is on and the striker nominated such ball, or
(iii) the ball is on and the striker nominates, and hits first, another ball.
8. Ball on the Edge of
Pocket
(a) if a ball falls into a pocket without being hit by
another ball it shall be replaced.
(b) if it would have been hit by any ball involved in a stroke, all balls will
be replaced and the stroke replayed.
(c) if the ball balances momentarily on the edge and falls in, it must not be
replaced.
9. Free Ball
(a) after a foul, if the cue-ball is snookered, the
referee shall state FREE BALL.
(b) if the non-offending player takes the next stroke he may nominate any ball
as on.
(c) for this stroke, such ball shall (subject to para(e)(i))
be regarded as, and acquire the value of, the ball on.
(d) it is a foul, should the
cue-ball
(i)
fail to first hit, or
(ii) except when only Pink and Black remain on the table, be snookered by, the
free ball.
(e) if the free ball is potted it
(i)
is spotted, and
(ii) the value of the ball on is scored.
(f) if the ball on is potted it is scored.
(g) if both the free ball and the ball on are potted, only the value of the
ball on is scored (subject to Sec. 3 Rule 3(e)(ii).
10. Fouls
(a) if a foul is committed:
(i)
the referee shall immediately state FOUL and on completion of the stroke
announce the penalty.
(ii) unless awarded by the referee or claimed by the non-striker, before the
next stroke is made, it is condoned.
(iii) any ball improperly spotted shall remain where positioned, except that if
off the table it shall be correctly spotted.
(iv) all points scored before the foul is awarded or claimed are allowed.
(v) the next stroke is made from where the cue-ball comes to rest.
(b) should more than one foul be committed in the same
stroke, the highest value penalty shall be incurred.
(c) the player who committed
the foul:
(i)
incurs the penalty prescribed (which is added to the
opponent's score), and
(ii) has to play again if requested by the next player. Once such a request has
been made it cannot be withdrawn.
(iii) if a breach of Section 3.3 (k) occurs, the offending player has to play
again from the original position, if requested by the next player.
11. Penalties
The following are fouls and incur a penalty of four
points or the higher one prescribed.
(a) the value of the ball on:
by striking
(i)
when the balls are not at rest (Sec. 2 Rule 6).
(ii) the cue-ball more than once (2-6).
(iii) with both feet off the floor (2-6).
(iv) out of turn (3-3).
(v) improperly from in-hand (3-4).
(vi) the cue-ball to miss all object balls (3-3).
(vii) the cue-ball to enter a pocket (3-3).
(viii) a snooker with free ball (3-9).
(ix) a jump shot (2-19).
(b) value of the ball on or
ball concerned: by causing
(i)
a ball not on to enter a pocket (3-3).
(ii) the cue-ball to first hit a ball not on (3-3).
(iii) a push stroke (2-18).
(iv) by striking with a ball incorrectly spotted (2-11).
(v) by touching a ball with other than the tip of the cue (2-6).
(vi) by forcing a ball from the table (2-13).
(c) value of the ball on or higher value of the two
balls by causing the cue-ball to hit simultaneously two balls other than two
reds or a free ball and the ball on (3-5).
(d) a penalty of seven points
is incurred if: the striker
(i)
after potting a red commits a foul before nominating a colour.
(ii) uses a ball off the table for any purpose,
(iii) plays at reds in successive strokes, or
(iv) uses as the cue-ball any ball other than white.
12. Ball Moved by Other
than Striker
If a ball, stationary or moving, is disturbed other
than by the striker it shall be repositioned by the referee.
13. Stalemate
If the referee considers a position of stalemate is
being approached, he should warn the players that if this situation is not
altered in a short period of time he will declare the frame null and void. The
frame shall be restarted with the same order of play.
14. Four-handed Snooker
(a) in a four-handed game each side shall open
alternate frames, the order of play shall be determined at the commencement of
each frame, and must be maintained throughout that frame.
(b) players may change order of play at the beginning of each frame.
(c) if a foul is committed and a request made to play again, the player who
committed the foul plays again, and the original order of play is maintained.
(d) when a frame ends in a tie Snooker Rule 3 (k) applies. The pair who plays
the first stroke have the choice of which player plays that stroke. The order
of play must then be maintained as in the frame.
(e) partners may confer during a game but not whilst one is the striker and at
the table or after the first stroke of his break.
1. Time Wasting
If the referee considers that a player is taking an
abnormal amount of time over a stroke, he should be warned that he is liable to
be disqualified.
2. Unfair Conduct
For refusing to continue a frame or for conduct which,
in the opinion of the referee, is wilfully or persistently unfair a player
shall lose the game. He is liable to be disqualified from the competitions held
under the control of the Billiards and Snooker Council and its Affiliated
Associations.
3. Penalty
If a game is awarded to a
player under his section the offender shall:
(i)
lose the game, and
(ii) forfeit all points scored, and the non-offender shall receive the value of
the balls still on the table (each red counting eight points).
4. Non-striker
The non-striker shall, when the striker is playing,
avoid standing or moving in the line of sight; he should sit or stand at a fair
distance from the table.
5. Absence
In the case of his absence from the room he may appoint
a substitute to watch his interests, and claim a foul if necessary.
1. The Referee
(a) the referee shall
(i)
be the sole judge of fair and unfair play, and responsible for the proper
conduct of the game under these rules.
(ii) intervene if he sees any contravention.
(iii) if a player is colour blind, tell him the colour of a ball if requested.
(iv) clean a ball on a player's request.
(b) he shall not
(i)
answer any question not authorised in the Rules.
(ii) give any indication that the player is about to make a foul stroke.
(iii) give any advice or opinion on points affecting play.
(c) if he has failed to notice any incident he may take
the evidence of the spectators best placed for observation to assist his
decision.
2. The Marker
The marker shall keep the score on the marking board
and assist the referee in carrying out his duties.
For more information about the rules of the game, or
about coaching and tournaments, contact:
The Billiards and Snooker Control Council (B&SCC),
92, Kirkstall Road, Leeds, LS3 1LT.
Tel: (0532)440586
1. A ball or a set of balls may be changed with the
consent of the players or on a decision of the referee.
2. It is the players' responsibility to both place the rest on and remove it
from the table.
3. Using the cue to position the cue-ball: if the referee considers the player
is not attempting to play a stroke, even though the tip of the cue touches the
cue-ball, the ball is not in play.
4. If requested by the referee the striker must declare which ball he is on.
5. It is the strikers' responsibility to ensure that all balls are correctly
spotted before striking.
6. Subject to Sec 3 Rules 8 & 12, reds are never replaced on the table
despite the fact that a player may benefit from a foul.
7. If there is any one ball that is not so obstructed, the cue-ball is not
snookered.
8. If there is any one ball that is not so obstructed, the cue-ball is not
angled.
9. If the cue-ball finishes on the far side of the object ball, even though
touching it in the process, it is considered to have jumped over.
10. After striking the ball on fairly if the cue-ball should then jump over the
object ball after hitting a cushion, it shall be deemed a fair stroke.
11. The positions of the object balls are commonly referred to by the colour,
e.g. black spot, pink spot, etc.
12. The player to strike first at each frame shall alternate during a game.
13. Aggregate scores: in games or matches where aggregate scores are relevant
it is only when the scores are equal as a result of the last frame that the
above applies.
14. The ball on impossible to hit: in this situation it has to be considered
that the striker is attempting to hit the ball on.
15. The referee will answer if asked if the ball is properly placed.
16. Movement of touching ball: if the referee considers that a touching ball
has moved through an agency other than the player, it is not a foul.
17. No player shall be responsible for any disturbance of the balls by the
referee.
18. If a game is awarded to a player: provided that where aggregate points
scores apply, the offender shall also forfeit 147 points for each unplayed
frame, to the number required to complete the game.
19. The referee will not answer a question regarding the difference in scores.
20. If requested by the striker, the referee or marker may move and hold in
position any light shade which interferes with the action of the striker.
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Latest modification: January
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