rules
most common rule disputes
THE BREAK
If fewer than FOUR balls hit a cushion it is a foul break :- re-rack, two shots to opponent
If you pot a Red ball (for example) off the break you can nominate to change to Yellow. You MUST nominate: “Red” or “Yellow” to the referee before attempting the shot – no nomination is a foul, two shots to opponent
- If you nominate “stay Red” but don’t pot a Red, you are still that colour
- If you nominate “change to Yellow” but don’t pot a Yellow, it is a Free Table
- If the white ball leaves the table off the break your opponent has TWO shots
If no ball is potted of the break your opponent has a Free Table: no nomination required
If the black ball is potted off the break it is a re-rack, same player to break
THE GAME
Unless potting, a ball (any ball) must hit a cushion after contact with the object ball. If not it is a foul – two shots to opponent
If you decide to come off a cushion to hit your ball, but are not in a “Total Snooker”, a ball (any ball) must hit a cushion after contact with the object ball or it is a foul – two shots to opponent
If your opponent commits a foul without potting the white, you must play from where the cue ball stops
There is no Free Ball from a foul – you must play your own colour, unless playing a Deliberate Foul (two shots to opponent)
If your opponent pots the white during a game, you can play anywhere from behind the line, up or down the table
Deliberate Fouls are allowed – you just give your opponent two shots
TOTAL SNOOKER
You are in a Total Snooker if you can’t see ONE side of any of your object balls. You must nominate “Total Snooker” to the referee and wait for his/her decision. It is the only time you can roll to one of your object balls from a cushion
FOUL SNOOKER
This is when your opponent commits a foul which leaves you in a snooker: can’t see BOTH sides of any of your object balls. You can either: nominate one of your opponents balls as a Free Ball and continue with your two shots; or, ask the referee to pick up the white – to be played anywhere from behind the line – two shots carry
8-BALL CLEARANCE
In order to record an 8-Ball Clearance on a league scorecard, it must have been achieved on your first visit to the table, without the use of “Two Shots”.
- If the white ball is potted after an 8-Ball Clearance, you not only lose the game, but also the 8-Ball Clearance. Bad luck!