Rules from the Billiards Room
A selection of rules and FAQs pertinent to play in The Billiard Room.
Compiled by Fred van Wegen.
Please contact Fred if you have a question you’d like answered.
Q1. A player is about to make the first stroke of a frame. As he adjusts the cue ball, he touches the yellow ball. What is the penalty?
No penalty. The frame does not commence until the first stroke of the cue ball.
Q2. What is a push shot
A push shot is made when the tip of the cue remains in contact with the cue ball when the cue ball makes contact with the object ball OR after the cue ball has commenced its forward motion.
If 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. (Play ACROSS the object ball rather than directly into it.) If the game is being refereed, then the call of the referee shall determine if a fair stroke has been played.
Q3. What is the rule exception when only the pink and black remain?
It is a foul for the cue ball to be snookered by a free ball except when the pink and black are the only balls remaining.
Q4. A player, whilst stretching to play a shot, slips after striking the cue ball and subsequently has neither foot on the floor, what is the penalty?
No penalty. A penalty is only applicable during the striking of the cue ball. In this situation the strike motion has already finished as the player slips after striking the cue ball.
Q5. Is it a foul shot if the cue ball strikes the ball on and another ball not on simultaneously?
Yes. Penalty value of the ball on.
What does' on' mean?
"The ball or balls that can be hit first by the cue ball are called the ball(s) "on" for that particular stroke. The ball(s) "on" differ from shot to shot: a red ball, if potted, must be followed by a colour, a potted colour must be followed by a red, and so on until a break ends. If a red is not potted, any red ball remains the ball "on" for the opponent's first shot.
Only a ball or balls "on" may be potted legally by a player; potting a ball not "on" constitutes a foul.
All of the reds are "on" for the break-off shot, and for the first shot of any turn in which one or more reds are still on the table. Each legally potted red ball awards one point and remains off the table until the end of the frame. The player continues his or her turn by nominating one of the six colours (yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, black) as the ball "on" for the next shot." Wikipedia.
Q6. In the opening stroke of a snooker frame the striker misses the reds and does not contact any ball. What is the procedure to be followed?
Foul stroke, penalty four points. Cue ball must be played from where it has come to rest, either by the next player, or by the same player, should the second player so request. Should the second player be snookered on all the reds a free ball will be awarded. (It is up to the second player as to whether he wishes to take this option, or request the first player to stay at the table.)
If the cue ball missed all reds and made contact with the yellow, green or brown balls the penalty would also be four points - but if it struck the blue, pink or black first then the penalty will be five, six or seven points – not four.)
Q7. When is a ball in 'baulk'
Firstly, let's define the 'baulk line.'
The baulk-line is the straight line drawn 29 inches (73.66 cm) from the face of the baulk cushion, (the cushion opposite the top cushion and bounded by the yellow and green pockets) on a standard 6 × 12 foot snooker table. The baulk line is an integral part of the "D".
A ball is said to be in baulk when a ball on the baulk line has equal amounts either side of the baulk line (in which case the ball is known as a "line ball") and when the ball is between the baulk line and the bottom cushion (the short cushion closest to the baulk line).
Q8. When a player fouls, and the cue ball is now so close to a pocket such that the cushion is obstructing the ball on, is a free ball awarded?
A. The cue ball cannot be obstructed by a cushion. This situation is not a snooker, so a free ball is not awarded, but the player coming to the table has the option of asking the first player to have another shot from this awkward situation.
Q9. In a frame of snooker there are ten reds left on the table. The incoming striker is snookered on all and has been given a free ball. He nominates the pink and pots it. He then nominates the blue and pots it as well, however the referee was still in the process of returning the pink to its spot when the stroke was played. What is the penalty?
A. The penalty should be 5 points as it the value of the ball 'on' (in this case, blue).
Q10. The cue ball enters a pocket. The referee calls a foul and places the cue ball in the D. The next player accidently makes contact with the brown ball as he approaches the table. Is there a penalty?
A. Yes, this is a foul. The foul is the value of the ball on, or the ball concerned (four points in this particular case). The referee ought to hand the cue ball directly to the next player, rather than placing it on the table.
Q11. When "touching ball" is called by the referee and the player plays in a direction away from the touching ball, if the touching ball moves, is it a foul?
A: Yes, it is a foul, and the score to the opposition is four, or the value of the blue (5), pink (6), or black (7), if any one of these colours is involved.
Q12. Do you have to call your shots in snooker?
A: Unless you are playing a red, you do technically have to declare which coloured ball you are playing every time. Should you strike first or pot a ball other than your nominated colour, this is considered a foul (four point penalty minimum, or to the value of the colour fouled on).
