Snooker: Special Situations

Last updated April 13, 2026

Snooker: Special Situations

Snooker has several unique game situations with specific rules. This article covers the most important ones.

Ball on Edge of Pocket

If a ball falls into a pocket on its own (not hit by any other ball):

  • Not part of any stroke in progress: The ball is replaced and any points already scored in the break count.
  • Would have been hit by a ball in the stroke: All balls are replaced. If no foul occurred, the same striker replays (or may choose a different shot). If a foul occurred, the penalty applies, balls are replaced, and the incoming player gets the usual options.

Touching Ball

When the cue ball is touching a ball on (or a ball that could be on), the referee calls TOUCHING BALL:

  • The striker must play the cue ball away from the touching ball without moving it
  • If the touching ball doesn't move and it is (or could be) the ball on, there is no foul
  • If the touching ball is moved by the stroke, it is a push stroke foul
  • If a stationary ball not touching the cue ball is later found to be in contact (or vice versa), the referee repositions the balls

Ball Moved by Other Than Striker

If any ball is disturbed by someone other than the striker (or by an external event), the referee replaces it to where it was (or would have come to rest) without penalty to the striker. This includes situations where another person causes the striker to accidentally move a ball.

Ball Intentionally Moved

If the striker intentionally moves or picks up any ball (other than making a stroke or during a consultation period), the referee calls FOUL. The non-offender then has options:

For a stationary ball:

  • Play from the position left, or ask the opponent to play from the position left (any ball not on the playing surface is treated as forced off the table), or
  • Have all balls replaced to their original positions and play themselves, or ask the opponent to play again

For a moving ball: The referee makes the fairest decision possible.

Unsporting stroke: If the striker hits the cue ball as an act of unsporting conduct, they may receive a Warning, and the non-offender gets the same replacement options.

Spotting Colours

When a colour needs to be re-spotted and its designated spot is occupied:

  1. Place it on the highest available spot
  2. If multiple colours need spotting, the highest-value colour takes priority
  3. If all spots are occupied, place the colour as close to its own spot as possible, between the spot and the top cushion
  4. For Pink and Black, if there's no room above the spot, place it as close as possible along the centre line of the table
  5. A spotted colour must never be touching another ball

Playing from In-Hand

When playing from in-hand (cue ball in the "D"):

  • The cue ball must be placed on or within the lines of the "D"
  • It may be played in any direction (including back into baulk)
  • The referee will confirm, if asked, whether the cue ball is properly placed
  • If the tip touches the cue ball while positioning it (and the referee is satisfied no stroke was intended), the cue ball is not yet in play

Six Reds Snooker

Six Reds Snooker follows standard rules with these variations:

  • Only 6 red balls are used instead of 15
  • Maximum of 5 consecutive Foul and a Miss calls when the offender is asked to play from the original position
  • After the 4th consecutive Foul and a Miss, the offender is warned. On the 5th, the non-offender may opt to play the cue ball from any position on the table
  • After potting a red (or free ball nominated as a red), the striker must not leave the opponent snookered behind the nominated colour

Four-Handed Snooker (Doubles)

  • Four players form two teams of two
  • Each team determines their order of play at the start of each frame (and may change it between frames)
  • Once set, the order must be maintained throughout the frame
  • Partners may confer, but not while one partner is at the table during their turn
  • If a player fouls, that player (not their partner) must return to play if asked to play again
  • If the striker's partner commits an infringement, the striker is treated as the offender