The frame in 30 seconds
Score by potting a red, then a colour, and repeat while reds remain. Reds stay off the table; colours are re-spotted. After the last red and the following colour, pot the colours in value order from yellow to black. The higher score wins the frame. Fouls award points to the opponent and usually end the striker's turn.
The normal scoring sequence
- Red is on. Pot any red legally to score one point.
- Nominate a colour. Pot it legally for its value; it returns to its spot.
- Red is on again. Continue alternating red and colour during the visit.
- After the final red. A colour may still be taken and re-spotted.
- Colours clear. Yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, then black; they now stay down.
A break is the total scored in one uninterrupted visit. The familiar standard maximum is 147: fifteen red-black pairs followed by all six colours.
When a turn ends
A player's visit normally ends after failing to score, committing a foul, or completing the frame. The next player ordinarily plays from where the cue ball finishes, subject to the options that can follow a foul. Potting a ball in a foul stroke does not score for the striker.
Common fouls and penalty points
Many fouls carry at least four points, but five, six, or seven can be awarded when a higher-value ball is the ball on or is involved under the penalty rules. Common examples include:
- failing to hit a ball on first;
- potting the cue ball;
- potting a ball that is not on;
- touching a ball in play with body, clothing, or equipment;
- making a push stroke, jump shot, or striking twice;
- playing while balls are moving or with both feet off the floor.
Why “foul and a miss” is complicated
The rulebook defines a miss around failing to first contact a ball on (including the nominated free ball situation). In refereed play, the formal FOUL AND A MISS call, replacement of balls, and the opponent's choices depend on Section 3 Rule 14 and the referee's judgment, including whether the striker made a sufficient attempt and whether they required penalty points.
Casual players should agree before starting whether they will replace positions after failed escapes. Recreating an exact professional position without a referee or video is often unrealistic.
What a free ball means
After a foul, if the incoming player is snookered on all legal balls on, the referee calls a free ball. The incoming player may nominate another ball as the ball on for that stroke. It scores the value of the actual ball on and is normally re-spotted if potted. Special restrictions apply, so use the official text for competitive decisions.
How a frame ends
A frame can end by concession, by the final black being resolved, or in other circumstances defined by the rules. A player should not concede while still able to win or tie without needing penalty points. If scores are tied after the final black, black is re-spotted and the next score or foul decides the frame.
Use the official rules for real disputes
This page is an orientation, not a substitute for the rulebook or a referee. Tournament conditions can also add formats, timing, conduct, and local procedures. The governing source linked below contains the definitions and full game rules.
Primary source: WPBSA Official Rules of Snooker and English Billiards, 2024–25 edition. Source rechecked 18 August 2026. We will update this summary when the governing body publishes a superseding rulebook.