World Snooker Championship Rules, Format, Scoring & more

Explore Snooker and how to play it, with a guide to the rules, scoring, maximum breaks, equipment, table size & more.

The origins of snooker can be dated back to the latter part of the 19th century and over the intervening years it has developed into a global sport played by many across the world.

The pinnacle of professional snooker is the World Snooker Championship that was first established in 1927 and has been held at the famous Crucible Theatre in Sheffield every year since 1977.

That, of course, is not the only standout event on the snooker calendar, with the Masters and UK Championship also forming part of the Triple Crown for the three longest-running and most prestigious tournaments.

Here we delve into the rules and format of the popular game of snooker ahead of the 2025 World Snooker Championship. 

Basics of Snooker

Snooker is a cue sport played on a rectangular table covered with green baize and featuring six pockets, and is typically played between two players, where the objective is to score more points than the opponent by potting balls in a specific order.

The game begins with 15 red balls arranged in a triangle, as well as a yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, and black ball - each with different point values.

Players take turns to strike the cue ball, aiming to pot a red ball first. If successful, they then attempt to pot a coloured ball, which is returned to its spot on the table after being potted.

A player will continue this sequence, alternating between red and coloured balls, until they fail to pot a ball or commit a foul.

A player scores one point for each red ball potted and additional points based on the value of the coloured balls, which range from two (yellow) to seven (black).

The game ends when all balls have been potted, including the coloured balls - in a specific order (lowest value to highest), and the player with the highest score wins.

How many points is each ball worth in Snooker?

Red Ball	One Point
Yellow Ball	Two Points
Green Ball	Three Points
Brown Ball	Four Points
Blue Ball	Five Points
Pink Ball	Six Points
Black Ball	Seven Points

How is a Snooker table set up?

The set up of a snooker table begins with the placement of 15 red balls, arranged in a triangular formation at the apex of the triangle, with the top red ball positioned a couple of inches behind the pink ball spot.

The six coloured balls are placed at specific locations, which are marked by spots on the baize.

As you look at the table from the bottom - the opposite ends to where you will find the triangle of reds - the yellow ball should be positioned on the spot furthest to the right, with the brown in the middle and the green on the left.

The blue ball is positioned on the spot in the centre of the table. with the pink on the spot just above the reds and the black ball taking its position on the spot behind the bottom row of reds.

The cue ball (white ball) is placed in the "D" area. where the yellow, green and brown balls are housed, for the break shot.

Each time a red ball is potted, it remains in the pocket, whereas each time a coloured ball is potted following the successful pot of a red, then the ball returns to its spot.

Why are coloured balls sometimes moved back to their starting spot on a Snooker table?

In snooker, coloured balls are typically moved back to their starting spots after being potted to maintain the game's structure and scoring system.

Each coloured ball has a specific point value, and when a player pots a coloured ball following a red, it is returned to its designated spot on the table.

This rule ensures that players have the opportunity to score points consistently throughout the game.

The movement of coloured balls back to their spots also adds a strategic element to the game, meaning players must consider the positioning of the balls and plan their shots accordingly, as the return of the coloured balls can affect the layout of the table and the potential for future pots.

Additionally, if a foul occurs, the referee may also reposition the coloured balls to their spots, ensuring that the game remains fair and adheres to the established rules.

The only occasion in which a coloured ball is not put back onto the table is once all of the red balls have been potted, and only the non red balls remain in play.

How does the scoring system work in Snooker?

What is a frame in Snooker?

A single game of snooker is known as a frame, with the winner being decided by which player has scored the most points by the time all the balls have been potted on the table or if there are not enough points available for the player that is trailing to be able to mount a comeback.

Most snooker matches at professional level are contested over more than just a one-frame format - with the only exception being the Snooker Shoot Out event.

For example, the first round of the World Snooker Championship is played over a best-of-19 frame format, essentially meaning the first player to 10 frames is the winner.

At the World Snooker Championship, the number of frames played increases as the tournament goes on, with the second round and quarter-final matches being contested over a best-of-25 frame format, the semi-finals a best-of-33 and the final the best of 35; meaning the winner of the tournament will have to win a minimum of 71 frames before they can lift the trophy.

What is the highest break in Snooker?

Simply put, a maximum 147 break in snooker is classed as ultimate sporting perfection.

Requiring a player to pot 36 balls in a single visit to the table, a maximum break requires incredible skill, complete cue ball control and unparalleled composure.

You'll often hear discussions surrounding the difficulty levels of a 147 break, a 9-dart leg and a hole in one in golf, with wide-public perception being that crafting a perfect 147 break in snooker is the most difficult of the three, which in part, explains how difficult it is to achieve one.

147 Maximum Break in Snooker Explained

How do you win a game of Snooker?

To win a game of snooker, a player must accumulate more points than their opponent by potting balls in the correct sequence.

The game begins with both players taking turns to strike the cue ball, aiming to pot a red ball first. After potting a red, the player must then pot a coloured ball, which is returned to its spot after being potted.

This sequence continues until a player fails to pot a ball or commits a foul, and the game ends when all the balls, including the six additional colours, have been potted, or if a player concedes.

The player with the highest score at the conclusion of the game is declared the winner.

Fouls in Snooker

Missing the Object Ball

This occurs when a player fails to hit the intended object ball (the ball they are aiming for) with the cue ball.

If the cue ball does not make contact with the object ball, it is considered a foul.

Failing to Hit the Correct Ball First

Players must always hit the correct ball first, meaning if they are playing a shot on a red ball, then the cue ball must make contact with a red ball.

If they were to accidentally hit one of the six coloured balls, then a foul would be called, and a minimum of four points would be awarded to the opposing player.

Cue Ball In Off

This foul happens when the cue ball is pocketed after a shot.

If the cue ball goes into a pocket, it results in a foul, and the opposing player is awarded ball-in-hand, allowing them to place the cue ball anywhere inside the "D".

The player would also be awarded four points if the foul was committed whilst attempting to play a red ball, yellow ball, green ball or brown ball, with five points awarded for a foul on the blue, six for a foul on the pink and seven for a foul on the black.

What equipment is used in Snooker?

A Snooker Table

How big is a Snooker table?

The most important piece of equipment needed to play snooker is the snooker table, with a standard full-size table measuring in at 1365.8cm × 182.9cm.

The playing surface itself is usually 356.9cm × 177.8cm in size, while the height of the table from the floor to the top of the cushions is 86.4cm.

There are a total of six pockets on the rectangular-shaped table for players to pot their balls into, one in each corner and one at the centre of each of the two longer side cushions. 

A Snooker Cue

What are snooker cues made of and how big are they?

The prize piece of equipment for any snooker player is their cue, which is typically no less than 3ft (91.4cm) in length and is what participants use to strike the white cue ball.

Cues are typically made from ash wood, although one it's not uncommon for cues to be produced using maple wood, which is stiffer than ash, and cheaper.

Snooker Balls

A total of 22 balls are needed to play a snooker match, 15 red, one white, one yellow, one green, one brown, one blue, one pink and one black.

What are Snooker balls made from?

Snooker balls are traditionally made from a type of plastic known as phenolic resin, with the material chosen for its durability, consistent performance, and ability to provide a good bounce.

Phenolic resin balls are designed to withstand the impact of being struck by the cue ball and to maintain their shape and surface quality over time.

Modern snooker balls are manufactured to strict specifications to ensure uniformity in size, weight, and density, which is crucial for fair and consistent game play.

Chalk

Chalk is used to enhance the grip between the cue tip and the cue ball.

When a player applies chalk to the tip of their cue, it helps to increase friction, which is essential for achieving better control and spin on the cue ball.

Using chalk also reduces the risk of miscues, where the cue tip slips off the cue ball during a shot, leading to inaccurate strikes.