BBC SPORT | Special Events | 2001 | Benson and Hedges Masters

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Thursday, 1 February, 2001, 12:47 GMT

The rules of snooker

Snooker games are played on a 6ft by 12ft table

Snooker has emerged as one of television's most popular sports since the BBC began their coverage of the Embassy World Championship back in 1978.

But just in case you still do not know your baulklines from your cue-balls, BBC Sport Online has provided some basic facts and rules to help your understanding of the game.

Snooker matches are played on a table measuring six feet by 12 feet.

Both players use the white ball (the cue-ball) to pot the other 21 object balls.

The object of the game is to score more points than your opponent in each frame. Points are scored by potting balls and it is also possible to accumulate points when your opponent fouls. The following shots are classified as foul strokes. A foul is no lower than 4 points and no higher than seven.

Foul strokes

Missing the ball you are aiming to hit

Potting a ball which you are not supposed to pot

If any ball jumps off the table

Potting the cue-ball

Pushing the cue-ball against another ball that is in close proximity causing the cue to touch the white more than twice

At the beginning of each frame there are 15 reds on the table each valued at one point each. There are also six colours:

Yellow(two points)
Green (three points)
Brown (four points)
Blue(five points)
Pink(six points)
Black(seven points)

Before the frame, the cue-ball may be placed anywhere in the D. The 15 reds are grouped in a triangle directly below the pink with the red at the top as close to the pink ball without touching.The bottom row of reds must also be parallel with the bottom cushion.

Points are accumulated by potting a red followed by a colour of your choice. When all 15 reds have been cleared off the table, the colours are potted in order of value - lowest first. Yellow, green brown, blue, pink and black.

For more details see our clickable guide.