Snooker is a points game built on a precise sequence, cue-ball control and tactical safety play. This guide covers a normal frame and the main fouls. In competition, the current WPBSA rulebook governs.
The history of snooker
According to the WPBSA, snooker began in 1875 among British soldiers in Jabalpur, India. Its rules were consolidated in 1919, and the first professional world championship took place in 1927. “Pot Black” introduced the colourful game to a broad television audience from 1969. The world championship has been held at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre since 1977.
Balls, values and objective
The table has fifteen reds worth one point each, plus yellow (2), green (3), brown (4), blue (5), pink (6) and black (7). The white ball is the cue ball. The aim is to finish a frame with more points than your opponent, from pots and opponent fouls. A match consists of an agreed number of frames.
Opening and order of play
The opening shot is played from the D. While reds remain, a red must be the first ball contacted. After a legally potted red, choose a colour. That colour is respotted and another red follows. Potted reds stay off the table. A turn ends when no ball is legally potted.
Colours at the end
After the last red, one more colour may be played. Then clear the colours in ascending value: yellow, green, brown, blue, pink and black. They are no longer respotted unless a rule provides an exception. The higher score wins. On a tie, the black is respotted and the next decisive point settles the frame.
Fouls, misses and free balls
Examples of fouls include hitting a wrong ball first, failing to hit the ball on, potting the cue ball or touching a ball illegally. The opponent receives at least four penalty points, rising with the relevant ball value to a maximum of seven. After a foul, the incoming player may play or ask the offender to play again. A “foul and a miss” can allow balls to be replaced under the rulebook conditions. If a foul leaves every ball on obstructed, a free ball may be awarded. These calls depend on the exact position.
Breaks, safeties and 147
A run of consecutive points is a break. The usual maximum of 147 comes from fifteen red–black pairs followed by all six colours. A safety aims to leave the opponent a difficult next shot. Cue-ball position is therefore as important as potting.
Official decisions
The WPBSA rulebook treats touching balls, replacing balls after a miss, free-ball situations and frame endings in greater detail. In an official match the referee applies that rulebook.