Snooker is the most complex game of pocket billiards, played according to specific rules.
The aim of the game is to score more points than your opponent, with the balls having to be potted in a specific order.
Snooker table layout
Snooker is played on a rectangular table measuring 3 metres 57 centimetres in length, 1 metre 78 centimetres in width and 88 centimetres in height, with a rail height of 4 centimetres. There are 6 pockets on the table: 4 in the corners and 2 in the middle of the long sides. The dimensions of the pockets are strictly regulated. The table surface is covered with cloth, most often green in colour.
The near end of the table, from which players start the frame, is divided into two parts. A straight line is drawn 29 inches from the near short rail, perpendicular to the two lines of the long rails and parallel to the short rail. On this line, called the bull line, is sector D. It is a semicircle drawn closer to the short rail with its centre in the middle of the bull line and a radius of 11 inches.
Here you can continue playing interesting games – play keno online for real money
Ball placement
The balls on the snooker table are placed as shown in the figure. First of all, you need to set up a pyramid consisting of 15 red balls. When setting up the pyramid, you need to focus on the pink ball. The pyramid is adjusted to the pink ball, the top ball of the pyramid should be at the minimum possible distance from the pink ball, while not touching it.
Next, all other balls are placed on their marks. The yellow ball is placed on the mark in the right corner of sector D, the green ball is placed in the left corner of sector D, and the brown ball is placed on the mark in the middle, between the yellow and green balls. The blue ball is placed in the centre of the table, the pink ball is at the top of the pyramid of red balls, and the black ball is placed on the mark behind the pyramid of red balls closer to the far short side. After that, the game can begin. The cue ball for the initial shot is placed anywhere in sector D.
Snooker is played with a cue, the length of which must not be less than 914 millimetres. In addition to the cue, the player has the right to use all kinds of auxiliary instruments, such as: a rest, which allows you to play a ball that is in a difficult position, cue and rest extensions, and other auxiliary equipment.
Before the game, 22 balls are placed on the table in front of the players: 15 red, 6 coloured and 1 white ball – the cue ball.
Situations on the table
Respot black
Respot black is the determination of the winner of the frame with the black ball. In the event that all balls on the table have been played and the opponents have the same number of points, the frame is played with the black ball, which is placed on its mark, and the white ball – the cue ball – can be placed by the player for a shot in any part of sector D.
As at the beginning of the frame, the opponents play to determine which of them will take the first shot. The frame is won by the player who pockets the black ball or accidentally pockets the white ball. In this case, if the cue ball accidentally falls into the opponent’s pocket, the opponent is awarded 7 penalty points and the player who pocketed the white ball automatically loses the frame.
Stalemate
A stalemate on the table occurs when players take turns hitting the red balls without changing the positions of the balls on the table. This situation does not contribute to the continuation of the frame, and by mutual agreement of the players, the results of the frame are cancelled and the frame starts again. Most often, this situation occurs at the beginning of the frame, when the players have either no points or a small number of points.
The cue ball hits the pyramid of red balls, and the players take turns hitting the cue ball, either rolling it towards or away from the pyramid. If the players disagree with the referee’s opinion that the frame should be restarted due to a protracted situation on the table, the referee has the right to end the frame after notifying the players, but most often the players agree after a few shots and a suggestion from the referee.
A stalemate situation can also occur in the middle of a frame when one of the opponents has a certain advantage over the other, so the player who has the advantage in points must change the situation on the table to avoid the referee’s decision to replay the frame.