Snooker: Key Definitions

Snooker: Key Definitions

Key terms used in the game of snooker, based on the official WPBSA rulebook (revised September 2024).

Frame, Game & Match

• Frame: A single round of snooker from the opening break until all balls are cleared or the frame is conceded/awarded. This is the basic unit of competition.
• Game: An agreed number of frames (e.g., best of 7 frames).
• Match: An agreed number of games.

Balls

• Cue ball: The white ball, struck by the player's cue.
• Object balls: The 15 reds and 6 colours.
• Ball on: Any ball that may be legally hit first by the cue ball. When reds are the ball on, any red may be hit. When a colour is on (after potting a red), the striker chooses which colour.

Striker & Turn

The striker is the player currently at the table. Their turn continues until they fail to pot a ball, commit a foul, or the frame ends.

Stroke

A stroke is made when the striker hits the cue ball with the tip of the cue. A stroke is not complete until all balls have come to rest and any required spotting is finished. A stroke is legal when no rule is violated.

Break

A break is a sequence of consecutive pots made in one turn. The highest possible break is 147 (15 reds, each followed by the black, then all six colours).

Pot vs. Pocket

• Pot: An object ball entering a pocket legally, scoring points.
• Pocketed: A ball entering a pocket as the result of a foul stroke (no points scored for the striker; the ball may need to be re-spotted).

In-Hand

The cue ball is in-hand at the start of a frame, after being pocketed, or after being forced off the table. When in-hand, the striker must play from within the "D" (the semicircle at the baulk end), but may play in any direction.

Snookered

The cue ball is snookered when a direct straight-line stroke to every ball on is wholly or partially obstructed by a ball or balls not on. The closest obstructing ball is the effective snookering ball. The cue ball cannot be snookered by a cushion.

When in-hand, the cue ball is snookered only if it is obstructed from all possible positions on or within the "D".

Free Ball

A free ball is declared when the incoming player is snookered after the opponent commits a foul. The player may nominate any ball as the ball on. The nominated free ball takes the value of the actual ball on. If potted, the free ball is re-spotted.

Nominated Ball

A nominated ball is the object ball the striker declares they intend to hit first. If asked by the referee, the striker must declare which ball they are on.

Forced Off the Table

A ball is forced off the table if it comes to rest somewhere other than on the playing surface or in a pocket. Reds forced off the table stay off; colours are re-spotted.

Push Stroke

A push stroke occurs when the cue tip remains in contact with the cue ball after it has started moving (beyond the initial moment of contact). This is a foul. Exception: if the cue ball and an object ball are almost touching, striking a very fine edge is not considered a push stroke.

Jump Shot

A jump shot occurs when the cue ball passes over any part of an object ball. This is always a foul, with specific exceptions:

• The cue ball hits one object ball then jumps over another
• The cue ball jumps and lands on the near side of the object ball it contacts
• After legally hitting a ball, the cue ball jumps over it via a cushion or another ball

Miss

A miss is called when the cue ball fails to first contact the ball on, and the referee judges the striker did not make a genuine effort. See Foul and a Miss rules for the full procedure.

Consultation Period

A consultation period is when players may assist the referee in replacing balls to their original positions after an infringement. It starts when the decision is made to replace balls and ends when both players are satisfied with the positions, or by the referee's final decision.

Touching Ball

If the cue ball comes to rest touching a ball on (or a ball that could be on), the referee calls TOUCHING BALL. The striker must play away from the touching ball without moving it. If the touching ball is the ball on, no penalty is incurred as long as it doesn't move.

Spot Occupied

A spot is occupied if a ball cannot be placed on it without touching another ball. When a colour's own spot is occupied, it goes on the highest available spot. If all spots are occupied, it is placed as close as possible to its own spot, between the spot and the top cushion.

Unsporting Conduct

Behaviour including offensive language, gestures, wilful or persistent misconduct, or refusing to continue a frame. Penalties escalate: first offence earns a Warning, then the frame is awarded to the opponent, then the game is awarded. Severe cases may skip the warning stage.