Snooker Rules for Beginners: How the Game Works in Plain English

Quick answer: In snooker, players take turns using a white cue ball to pot other balls. There are 15 red balls worth 1 point each and six colors: yellow (2), green (3), brown (4), blue (5), pink (6), and black (7). While reds are on the table, you must pot a red, then a color, then a red, and so on. Colors go back on their spots until all the reds are gone. Then the colors are potted in order from yellow to black. The player with the most points when the frame ends wins.

Snooker rules for beginners: a snooker table with fifteen red balls in a triangle and the six colored balls on their spots
Snooker rules for beginners: pot a red, then a color, and keep going.

Snooker is played on a bigger table than most pool tables, with smaller balls and tighter pockets. The rules can look tricky at first, but the basic idea is simple.

The Balls and Their Points

Ball Points
Red (15 of them) 1 each
Yellow 2
Green 3
Brown 4
Blue 5
Pink 6
Black 7

The white ball is the cue ball. You never score by potting it.

How a Turn Works

A turn at the table is called a break (not to be confused with the opening shot). Your points in one turn add up to your break score.

  1. Pot a red. That is 1 point.
  2. Pot a color. You choose which color. Many players call it so it is clear.
  3. The color goes back on its spot.
  4. Pot another red, then another color.
  5. Keep going until you miss or foul. Then your opponent plays.

When the Reds Are Gone

Once all reds are off the table (and you have taken a color after the last red), the colors are potted in order:

Yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, black.

They stay down once potted in this final stage.

Fouls

A foul gives points to your opponent. Common fouls include:

  • Hitting the wrong ball first
  • Missing all balls
  • Potting the cue ball
  • Potting a ball you were not aiming to pot, in many cases
  • Touching a ball with your hand, body, or clothes
  • Not having at least one foot on the floor

Under the official rules, a foul is worth at least 4 points to your opponent, or the value of the ball involved if that is higher, up to 7.

What Is a Snooker?

A “snooker” is when the cue ball is left so that the next player cannot hit the ball they must hit in a straight line. Players use snookers to force their opponent into fouls. That is where the game gets its name.

How a Frame Is Won

A single game is called a frame. The player with the most points at the end of the frame wins it. Matches are often played as best of a set number of frames. A player who is far behind may concede before the end if they cannot catch up.

Snooker vs Pool

Snooker Pool
Table Larger Smaller
Balls Smaller Larger
Pockets Tighter Wider
Scoring Points per ball Usually win by pocketing a set ball

Want to learn more about how cue games differ? See our post on the difference between pool and billiards and our guide to pool table sizes.

Tips for Beginners

  • Start by potting reds and the black or pink when you can.
  • Play safe when you do not have a good pot.
  • Learn the color spots so you know where balls return.
  • Practice long straight pots, since the table is big.

The Bottom Line

Snooker rules for beginners boil down to this: pot a red, then a color, and repeat while reds remain. Then pot the colors in order from yellow to black. Avoid fouls, since they give points to your opponent. The player with the most points wins the frame.

Keep Reading on This Site

Frequently Asked Questions

How many points is each snooker ball worth?

Reds are 1, yellow 2, green 3, brown 4, blue 5, pink 6, and black 7.

Do colors go back on the table in snooker?

Yes, while reds remain. After the reds are gone, colors stay down once potted in order.

What is the minimum foul in snooker?

Under the official rules, a foul is worth at least 4 points to your opponent.

What is a break in snooker?

A break is the total points a player scores in one visit to the table.