Each player uses the same White cue-ball and there are twenty-one object balls - fifteen Reds each valued 1, and six colours: Yellow valued 2, Green 3, Brown 4, Blue 5, Pink 6 and Black 7.

Scoring strokes in a player’s turn are made by potting Reds and colours alternately until all the Reds are off the table and then the colours in the ascending order of their value.

Points awarded for scoring strokes are added to the score of the striker.

Penalty points from infringements are added to the opponent’s score.

A tactic employed at any time during a frame is to leave the cue-ball behind a ball not on such that it is snookered for the next player. If a player or side requires more points than are available from the balls remaining on the table, then the laying of snookers in the hope of gaining points from fouls becomes most important.

The winner of a frame is the player or side:

The winner of a game is the player or side:

The winner of a match is the player or side winning the most games or, where aggregate points are relevant, with the greatest total.

At the start of each frame, the cue-ball is in-hand and the object balls are positioned on the table as follows:

If an error in setting up the table is made, Section 3 Rule 7(c) shall apply, the frame starting as in Section 3 Rule 3(c).

After a frame has started, a ball in play may only be cleaned by the referee upon reasonable request by the striker and:

The order of play thus determined must remain unaltered throughout the frame, except that a player may be asked by the next player to play again after any foul.

The player or side to play first must alternate for each frame during a game.

The first player plays from in-hand, the frame commencing when the cue-ball has been placed on the playing area and contacted by the tip of the cue either:

If a frame is started by the wrong player or side:

For a stroke to be legal, none of the infringements described in Section 3 Rule 11 must occur.

It is the striker’s responsibility to ensure that all objects or ancillary equipment from this turn or previous turns are removed from the table.

For the first stroke of each turn, until all Reds are off the table, Red or a free ball nominated as a Red is the ball on, and the value of each Red and any free ball nominated as a Red, potted in the same stroke, is scored.

(i) If a Red, or a free ball nominated as a Red, is potted, the same player plays the next stroke and the next ball on is a colour of the striker’s choice which, if potted, is scored and the colour is then spotted. (ii) The break is continued by potting Reds and colours alternately until all the Reds are off the table and, where applicable, a colour has been played at following the potting of the last Red. (iii) The colours then become on in the ascending order of their value as per Section 3 Rule 1(a) and when next potted remain off the table, except as provided for in Section 3 Rule 4, and the striker plays the next stroke at the next colour on. (iv) In the event that the striker, in a break, plays before the referee has completed spotting a colour while all other balls are at rest, the value of the colour shall not be scored and Section 3 Rule 11(a)(i) or 11(b)(ii) shall apply as appropriate.

Reds are not usually replaced on the table once potted, pocketed or forced off the table regardless of the fact that a player may thus benefit from a foul. However, exceptions are provided for in Section 3 Rules 2(c)(ii), 3(k), 9, 10(i), 14(b), 14(e), 15, 16, 20(b) and Section 5 Rule 1(a)(i).

If the striker fails to pot a ball, they must leave the table without undue delay. In the event that they should commit any foul before, or while leaving the table, they will be penalised as provided for in Section 3 Rule 11. The next stroke is then played from where the cue-ball comes to rest, or from in-hand if the cue-ball is not in play, except when the cue-ball is replaced in accordance with Section 3 Rules 10(i), 14(e) and 16.

It is a penalty if the non-striker comes to the table, out of turn, and commits any infringement. The referee shall call PENALTY and any ball(s) moved shall be replaced to their position prior to the infringement, and the striker’s turn will continue unaffected. A consultation period starts when the decision is made to replace the ball(s).

Following the final stroke of the opponent’s turn, or following a foul, if an incoming player strikes the cue-ball or commits an infringement before the balls have come to rest, or before the referee has completed the spotting of a colour, they shall be penalised as if they were the striker and their turn will end.

If any ball enters a pocket and rebounds onto the playing area, it does not count as having been potted or pocketed. No player has redress if this occurs.

When Black is the only object ball remaining on the table, the first pot or foul ends the frame excepting only if the following conditions both apply: (i) the scores are then equal; and (ii) aggregate scores are not relevant.

When both conditions in (a) above apply: (i) the Black is spotted; (ii) the players draw lots for choice of playing next; (iii) the next player plays from in-hand; and (iv) the first pot or infringement ends the frame.

When aggregate scores determine the winner of a game or match, and the aggregate scores are equal at the end of the last frame, the players in that frame shall follow the procedure, commonly known as a re-spotted Black, set out in (b) above.

The referee will state, if asked, whether the cue-ball is properly placed (that is, not outside the lines of the "D").

If the cue-ball, while in-hand, is contacted by the tip of the cue while outside the "D", it is considered as improperly played from in-hand.

If the tip of the cue should touch the cue-ball while positioning it, and the referee is satisfied that the striker was not attempting to play a stroke, then the cue-ball is not in play.

A player shall not be held responsible for any mistake by the referee in failing to spot any ball correctly.

If a colour is spotted in error after being potted in ascending order as per Section 3 Rule 3(h)(iii), it shall be removed from the table without penalty when the error is discovered, and play shall continue from the resulting position. If the error is discovered after the colour has been potted, the points scored shall count after the next stroke is played, or after an infringement is committed prior to playing the next stroke.

If a stroke is made with a ball or balls not correctly spotted, they shall be considered correctly spotted for subsequent strokes. Any colour incorrectly missing from the table shall be spotted:

If a Red is spotted in error, instead of a colour, once discovered:

If a colour has to be spotted and its own spot is occupied, it shall be placed on the highest value spot available.

If there is more than one colour to be spotted and their own spots are occupied, the highest value ball shall take precedence in order of spotting.

If all spots are occupied, the colour shall be placed as near to its own spot as possible, between that spot and the nearest part of the Top Cushion.

In the case of Pink and Black, if all spots are occupied and there is no available space between the relevant spot and the nearest part of the Top Cushion, the colour shall be placed as near to its own spot as possible on the centre longitudinal line of the table.

In all cases, the colour when spotted must not be touching another ball.

A colour, to be properly spotted, must be placed on the spot designated in these Rules.

If at the completion of a stroke the cue-ball is touching a ball or balls on, or that could be on, the referee shall call TOUCHING BALL and, in the event of any doubt, indicate which ball or balls on the cue-ball is touching. If the cue-ball is touching one or more colours after a Red (or a free ball nominated as a Red) has been potted, the referee shall also ask the striker to DECLARE which colour they are on.

When a TOUCHING BALL has been called, the striker must play the cue-ball away from that ball without moving it or it is a push stroke.

Providing the striker, in playing a stroke, does not cause any touching object ball to move, there shall be no penalty if:

If the cue-ball comes to rest touching or nearly touching a ball that is not on, the referee, if asked whether it is touching, will clarify the situation.

When the cue-ball is touching both a ball on and a ball not on, the referee shall only indicate the ball on as touching. If the striker should ask the referee whether the cue-ball is also touching the ball not on, they are entitled to be told.

It is not a foul if the referee is satisfied that any movement of a touching ball at the moment of striking was not caused by the striker.

If a stationary object ball, not touching the cue-ball when examined by the referee, is later seen to be in contact with the cue-ball before a stroke has been made, the balls shall be repositioned by the referee to their satisfaction. This also applies to a touching ball which later, when examined by the referee, is not touching.

being no part of any stroke in progress, it shall be replaced and any points scored shall count.

If it would have been hit by any ball involved in a stroke:

If a ball balances momentarily on the edge of a pocket and then falls in, it shall be considered potted or pocketed and shall not be replaced.

If the striker has not made a stroke, their turn ends and the referee shall announce the penalty.

If a stroke has been made, the referee will wait until completion of the stroke before announcing the penalty.

If a foul or a penalty is neither awarded by the referee, nor successfully claimed by the non-striker before the next stroke is made, it is condoned.

Any colour not correctly spotted shall remain where positioned except that if off the table it shall be correctly spotted.

All points scored in a break before a foul is awarded shall count but the striker shall not score any points for any ball pocketed in a foul stroke.

The next stroke is played from where the cue-ball comes to rest or, if the cue-ball is not in play, from in-hand.

If more than one foul is committed in the same stroke, the highest value penalty shall be incurred.

The player who committed the foul:

If a striker fouls any ball including the cue-ball prior to striking it, the appropriate penalty will be imposed. The non-offender may then elect to play themselves from the position left, or request the offender to play again from the position left or the original position. In the latter case, all balls shall be replaced and the ball on shall be the same as it was prior to the infringement, namely:

If an object ball in play is disturbed by the striker while the cue-ball is in-hand, the referee shall call FOUL and the cue-ball will remain in-hand for the next stroke, unless the foul is committed involving the cue-ball while it is not in the striker’s possession.

Value of the ball on by:

Value of the ball on or ball concerned, whichever is higher, by:

Value of the ball on or higher value of the two balls concerned by causing the cue-ball to first hit simultaneously two balls, other than two Reds (when Red is the ball on) or a nominated free ball and a ball on.

Seven points if the striker.

Value of the ball on or ball concerned, whichever is higher by committing an infringement, out of turn, as described in Section 3 Rule 3(k).

Seven points if any player contacts, with any part of their person, attire or equipment, any ball on the playing area during a consultation period.

Seven points if the non-striker.

If the player next in turn elects to play the next stroke:

It is a foul if the cue-ball should:

If the nominated free ball is potted, it is spotted and the value of the ball on is scored.

If a ball on is potted, after the cue-ball hit the nominated free ball first, or simultaneously with a ball on, the ball on is scored and remains off the table.

If both the nominated free ball and a ball on are potted, only the ball on is scored unless it was a Red, when each ball potted is scored. The nominated free ball is then spotted and the ball on remains off the table.

If the offender is asked to play again, or a request is made by the non-offender for the replacement of the ball(s) (as in Section 3 Rules 10(i), 14(b), 14(e) and 16), the free ball option becomes void.

change their mind as to:

score points for any ball(s) they may pot.

The striker shall, to the best of their ability, endeavour to hit the ball on or a ball that could be on after a Red, or a free ball nominated as a Red, has been potted. If the referee considers the Rule infringed, they shall call FOUL AND A MISS unless:

After a FOUL AND A MISS has been called, the non-offender may request the offender to play again from the position left or the original position, in which latter case all balls shall be replaced and the ball on shall be the same as it was prior to the last stroke made, namely:

If the striker, in making a stroke, fails to first hit a ball on when there is a clear path in a straight line from the cue-ball to any part of any ball that is or could be on, the referee shall call FOUL AND A MISS unless as described under Section 3 Rule 14(a)(i).

After a FOUL AND A MISS has been called under paragraph (c) above when there was a clear path in a straight line from the cue-ball to a ball that was on or could have been on, such that central, full ball, contact was available (in the case of Reds, this to be taken as a full diameter of any Red that is not obstructed by a colour), or when the cue-ball is touching a ball that could be on, then:

After all balls have been replaced under this Rule, and the striker fouls any ball, including the cue-ball, a MISS will not be called if a stroke has not been played. In this case the appropriate penalty will be imposed. The non-offender may then elect to play themselves from the position left, or request the offender to play again from the position left or the original position, in which latter case all balls shall be replaced and the ball on shall be the same as it was prior to the last stroke made, namely:

If, after a FOUL AND A MISS has been called, the request is made to play from the original position, a consultation period starts.

This Rule shall include cases where another occurrence or person, other than the striker’s partner causes the striker to move a ball, but will not apply in cases where a ball moves due to any defect in the table surface, except in the case where a spotted ball moves before the next stroke has been made.

No player shall be penalised for any disturbance of balls by the referee.

In a situation where a stationary ball is intentionally moved or picked up, the non-offender may then;

In a situation where a moving ball is intentionally moved or picked up, the referee shall make the best possible decision in the interest of fair play.

If the striker strikes the cue-ball to make a stroke as an act of Unsporting Conduct, they may be Warned as described in Section 4, Rule 1 and the non-offender will have the options as described under (a) and (b) above.

If any player objects, the referee shall allow play to continue with the proviso that the situation must change within a stated period, usually after three more strokes to each side but at the referee’s discretion.

If the situation remains basically unchanged after the stated period has expired, the referee shall nullify all scores and re-set all balls as for the start of a frame.

The same player shall again make the opening stroke, subject to Section 3 Rule 3(d)(iii) with the same established order of play being maintained.

If a stalemate occurs during a re-spotted Black as described in Section 3 Rule 4(b), only the Black will be spotted with the same player to make the opening stroke.

In a four-handed game (four players constituting two sides of two players) each side shall start alternate frames and the order of play shall be determined at the start of each frame and, when so determined, must be maintained throughout that frame.

Players may change the order of play at the start of each new frame.

If a foul is committed and a request to play again is made, the player who committed the foul plays the next stroke and the order of play is unchanged. If the FOUL was called for playing out of turn, the offender’s partner will lose a turn, whether or not the offender is asked to play again.

When a frame ends in a tie, Section 3 Rule 4 applies. If a re-spotted Black is necessary, the side who play the first stroke have the choice of which player will make that stroke. The order of play must then continue as in the frame.

Partners may confer or communicate during a frame but not while one is the striker and has approached the table until their turn has ended.

If the striker’s partner commits an infringement, the striker will be considered as the offender.

There will be no more than five consecutive FOUL AND A MISS calls if the offender is requested to play again from the original position.

After the fourth consecutive FOUL AND A MISS call, the referee shall Warn the offending player that should a FOUL AND A MISS be called again the non-offender may:

If, after a FOUL AND A MISS call, the offender is requested to play from the position left, the previous Foul and a Miss sequence ends.

After potting a Red, or a free ball nominated as a Red, the striker must not leave their opponent snookered behind the nominated colour as described in Section 2 Rule 17.

The striker is responsible for all items including, but not limited to, rests and extensions that they bring to the table, whether owned by them or borrowed (except from the referee), and they will be penalised for any fouls made when using this equipment.

Equipment normally found at the table which has been provided by another party, including the referee, is not the responsibility of the striker. It is not a foul if this equipment should prove to be faulty and thereby cause the striker to contact a ball or balls. The referee will, if necessary, reposition any balls in accordance with Section 3 Rule 15 and the striker, if in a break, will be allowed to continue without penalty.

Circumstances may necessitate adjustment in how these Rules are applied for persons with disabilities. In particular and for example:

When there is no referee, the opposing player or side will be regarded as such for the purpose of these Rules.

Under these Rules of the Game, a simplified form of snooker can be played with any number of Red balls.