How to play snooker without learning bad habits first.

The short version

What you are trying to do

Players take turns using the cue ball to pot reds and colours. While reds remain, a legal scoring sequence alternates a red with a nominated colour. Potted colours are respotted during that phase; reds stay down. After the final red and its following colour, the colours are potted in value order from yellow to black. Fouls award points to the opponent.

That summary is enough to start a friendly frame, but formal decisions belong to the current WPBSA rulebook and the referee.

Use the same shot routine

1. Stand and decide. Choose the pot, safety or containing shot before getting down.
2. See the line. Identify the object-ball contact and the intended cue-ball finish.
3. Step in. Let the cue settle on the line as the feet and body take position.
4. Feather calmly. Check that the cue can travel without hitting your body or bridge hand.
5. Pause and deliver. Keep the final backswing unhurried and accelerate through the cue ball.
6. Stay still. Hold the finish long enough to see whether the cue travelled where intended.

Grip: let the cue swing

Hold the butt mainly in the fingers, with the thumb resting rather than clamping. The grip should support a pendulum-like forearm movement. If the knuckles whiten, the wrist locks or the cue jerks at impact, reduce the pressure.

There is no single hand position that fits every body and cue. A practical starting point places the forearm close to vertical when the cue tip addresses the ball, then adjusts for comfort and straight travel.

Bridge: stable, low and uncomplicated

Spread the bridge hand, press the heel and fingertips into the cloth, and form a firm channel between thumb and forefinger. Keep enough distance from the cue ball for a smooth stroke without making the bridge so long that it becomes unstable.

When the cue ball is near a cushion, shorten the bridge and accept that the shot may require a simpler pace. Use the rest, spider or other table equipment when the natural bridge cannot reach. Stretching is not a badge of honour.

Stance and head position

The stance must do two jobs: leave a straight route for the cue and hold the head steadily over the sight line. Step into the shot rather than shuffling once down. Keep the front leg and bridge arm comfortably stable, and move the rear foot until the cue can pass without clipping the hip or chest.

Do not copy another player’s exact foot angles. Height, handedness, flexibility and eye alignment differ. Judge the stance by balance, comfort and whether the cue travels repeatedly on line.

Aiming and pace

For a simple pot, imagine the cue ball arriving at the point where it sends the object ball towards the centre of the pocket. Then choose enough pace for the pocket to accept the ball and for the cue ball to finish in a useful area. Hitting harder makes the pocket play smaller and exaggerates delivery errors.

Your first friendly frame

• Agree whether you are playing full rules or a relaxed beginner version.
• Stand clear of the striker’s sight line and remain quiet during the shot.
• Do not sit, place drinks or lean heavily on the table.
• Call your own obvious foul in a friendly game.
• Ask before using chalk, a rest or equipment that belongs to another player.
• Keep pace without rushing. Decide while the other player is at the table, then confirm once it is your turn.

A useful first 30 minutes

1. Five minutes: roll the cue ball up and down the table, trying to return near the starting line.
2. Ten minutes: pot a red from a short, straight position into a corner pocket. Score one for every clean pot.
3. Ten minutes: repeat the same pot while asking the cue ball to stop inside a hand-sized target area.
4. Five minutes: finish with ten attempts and record the score. That becomes the number to beat next time.

When you are ready for more structure, use the practice builder or the complete practice-drill guide.

Beginner questions