Rules
& Regulations
SECTION
1 - The Equipment
1. The Standard Table
Dimensions
Height
b) The
height of the table from the floor to the top of the cushion rail shall be from
2ft 9½in to 2ft 10½in (851mm to 876mm).
Pocket Openings
c) (i)
There shall be pockets at the corners (two at the Spot end known as the top
pockets and two at the Baulk end known as the bottom pockets) and one each at
the middle of the longer sides (known as the center pockets).
(ii) The pocket
openings shall conform to the templates authorized by the World Professional
Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA).
Baulk-line And Baulk
The "D"
e) The
"D" is a semi-circle described in Baulk with its center at the middle
of the Baulk-line and with a radius of 11½in (292mm).
Spots
f) Four
spots are marked on the center longitudinal line of the table:
i)
The Spot (known as the Black Spot), 12¾in (324mm) from a point perpendicularly
below the face of the top cushion.
ii)
The Center Spot (known as the Blue Spot), located midway between the faces of
the top and bottom cushions.
iii)
The Pyramid Spot (known as the Pink Spot), located midway between the Center
Spot and the face of the top cushion.
iv)
The Middle of the Baulk-line (known as the Brown Spot).
Two other spots used are located at the
corners of the 'D'. Viewed from the Baulk end, the one on the right is known as
the Yellow Spot and the one on the left as the Green Spot.
2. The Balls
The
balls shall be of an approved composition and shall each have a diameter of 2
1/16in (52.5mm) with a tolerance of +/- 0.05mm and:
(b) A ball or set of balls may be changed
by agreement between the players or on a decision by the referee.
The correct values for the balls are as
follows:
Red - 1
Yellow
-
2
Green
-
3
Brown - 4
Blue -
5
Pink - 6
Black - 7
3. The Cue
A cue shall be not less than 3ft (914mm) in
length and shall show no substantial departure from the traditional and
generally accepted shape and form.
4. Ancillary
Various cue rests, long cues (called butts and
half-butts according to length), extensions and adaptors may be used by players
faced with difficult positions for cueing. These may form part of the equipment
normally found at the table but also include equipment introduced by either
player or the referee (see also Section 3 Rule 18). All extensions, adaptors
and other devices to aid cueing must be of a design approved by the WPBSA
SECTION
2 – Definitions
1. Frame
A frame of snooker comprises the period of the
play from the first stroke, with all the balls set as described in Section 3
Rule 2, until the frame is completed by:
a) Concession
by any player during his turn,
b) Claim
by the striker when only the Black remains and there is more than seven points
difference between the scores in his favor,
c) The
final pot or foul when only the Black remains, or
d) Being
awarded by the referee under Section 3 Rule 4(d), Rule 14(c), or Section 4 Rule
2.
2. Game
A game is an agreed or stipulated number of
frames.
3. Match
A match is an agreed or stipulated number of
games.
4. Balls
a) The
White ball is the cue-ball.
b) The
15 Reds and the 6 colors are the object balls.
5. Striker and Turn
The person about to play or in play is the
striker and remains so until the final stroke, or foul, of his turn is complete
and the referee is satisfied that he has finally left the table. If a
non-striker comes to the table, out of turn, he shall be considered as the
striker for any foul he may commit before leaving the table. When the referee
is satisfied that the above conditions have been met, the incoming striker's
turn begins. His turn and his right to play another stroke ends when:
(a) He fails to score from a stroke; or
(b) He commits a foul; or
(c) He requests the opponent to play again
after his opponent has committed a foul.
6. Stroke
a) A
stroke is made when the striker strikes the cue-ball with the tip of the cue.
b) A
stroke is fair when no infringement of Rule is made.
c) A
stroke is not completed until:
i)
All balls have come to rest;
ii)
The striker has stood up, in readiness for a succeeding stroke, or leaving the
table;
iii)
Any equipment being used by the striker has been removed from a hazardous
position; and
iv)
The referee has called any score relevant to the stroke.
d) A
stroke may be made directly or indirectly, thus:
i)
a stroke is direct when the cue-ball strikes an object ball without first
striking a cushion;
ii)
a stroke is indirect when the cue-ball strikes one or more cushions before
striking an object ball.
f) Following
the final stroke of the opponent's turn, if an incoming player plays a
stroke/strikes the cue-ball before the balls have come to rest, he shall be
penalized as if he were the striker, and his visit to the table shall end.
7. Pot
A pot is when an object ball, after contact
with another ball and without any infringement of these Rules, enters a pocket.
Causing a ball to be potted is known as potting.
8. Break
A break is a number of pots in successive
strokes made in any one turn by a player during a frame.
9. In-hand
a) The
cue-ball is In-hand
i)
Before the start of each frame,
ii)
When it has entered a pocket, or
iii)
When it has been forced off the table.
iv)
When it has been asked to be played from in-hand under Section 3 Rule 14(i)
b) It
remains In-hand until
i)
It is played fairly from In-hand, or
ii)
A foul is committed whilst the ball is on the table
c) The
striker is said to be In-hand when the cue-ball is In-hand as above.
10. Ball in Play
a) The
cue-ball is in play when it is not In-hand.
b) Object
balls are in play from the start of the frame until pocketed or forced off the
table.
c) Colors
become in play again when re-spotted.
11. Ball On
Any ball which may be lawfully struck by the
first impact of the cue-ball, or any ball which may not be so struck but which
may be potted, is said to be on.
12. Ball in Play
a) A
nominated ball is the object ball which the striker declares, or indicates to
the satisfaction of the referee, he undertakes to hit with the first impact of
the cue-ball.
b) If
requested by the referee, the striker must declare which ball he is on.
13. Free Ball
A free ball is a ball which the striker
nominates as the ball on when snookered after a foul (see Section 3 Rule 10).
14. Forced Off the
Table
A
ball is forced off the table if it comes to rest other than on the bed of the
table or in a pocket, or if it is picked up by the striker, whilst it is in
play except as provided for in Section 3 Rule 14(h).
15. Foul
A
foul is any infringement of these Rules.
16. Snookered
The cue-ball is said to be snookered when a
direct stroke in a straight line to every ball on is wholly or partially obstructed
by a ball or balls not on. If one or more balls on can be struck at both
extreme edges free of obstruction by any ball not on, the cue-ball is not
snookered.
a) If
In-hand, the cue-ball is snookered if it is obstructed as described above from
all possible positions on or within the lines of the "D".
b) If
the cue-ball is so obstructed from hitting a ball on by more than one ball not
on
i)
The ball nearest to the cue-ball is considered to be the effective snookering
ball, and
ii)
Should more than one obstructing ball be equidistant from the cue-ball, all
such balls will be considered to be effective snookering balls.
c) When Red is the ball on, if the
cue-ball is obstructed from hitting different Reds by different balls not on,
there is no effective snookering ball.
d) The
striker is said to be snookered when the cue-ball is snookered as above
e) The
cue-ball cannot be snookered by a cushion. If the curved face of a cushion
obstructs the cue-ball and is closer to the cue-ball than any obstructing ball
not on, the cue-ball is not snookered.
17. Spot Occupied
A spot is said to be occupied if a ball cannot
be placed on it without that ball touching another ball.
18. Push Stroke
A push stroke is made when the tip of the cue
remains in contact with the cue-ball
a) After
the cue-ball has commenced its forward motion, or
b) As
the cue-ball makes contact with an object ball except, where the cue-ball and
an object ball are almost touching, it shall not be deemed a push stroke if the
cue-ball hits a very fine edge of the object ball.
19. Push Stroke
A jump shot is made when the cue-ball passes
over any part of an object ball, whether touching it in the process or not,
except:
a) When
the cue-ball first strikes one object ball and then jumps over another ball,
b) When
the cue-ball jumps and strikes an object ball, but does not land on the far
side of that ball,
c) When, after striking an object ball
lawfully, the cue-ball jumps over that ball after hitting a cushion or another
ball.
20. Miss
A
miss is when the cue-ball fails to first contact a ball on and the referee
considers that the striker has not made a good enough attempt to hit a ball on.
SECTION
3 - The Game
1. Description
Snooker may be played by two or more players,
either independently or as sides. The game can be summarized as follows:
a) Each player uses the same White
cue-ball and there are twenty-one object balls - fifteen Reds each valued 1,
and six colors: Yellow valued 2, Green 3, Brown 4, Blue 5, Pink 6 and Black 7.
b) Scoring strokes in a player's turn are
made by potting Reds and colors alternately until all the Reds are off the
table and then the colors in the ascending order of their value.
c) Points awarded for scoring strokes are
added to the score of the striker.
d) Penalty points from fouls and misses
are added to the opponent's score.
e) A tactic employed at any time during a
frame is to leave the cue-ball behind a ball not on such that it is snookered
for the next player. If a player or side is more points behind than are
available from the balls left on the table, then the laying of snookers in the
hope of gaining points from fouls becomes most important.
f) The winner of a frame is the player or
side
i)
Making the highest score,
ii)
To whom the frame is conceded, or
iii)
To whom it is awarded under Section 3 Rule 14(c) or Section 4 Rule 2.
g) The winner of a game is the player or
side
i)
Winning most, or the required number of frames
ii)
Making the greatest total where aggregate points are relevant, or
iii)
To whom the game is awarded under Section 4 Rule 2.
h)
The winner of a match is the player or
side winning most games or, aggregate points are relevant, with the greatest
total.
2. Position of Balls
a) At the start of each frame the cue-ball
is In-hand and the object balls are positioned on the table as follows:
i) the Reds in the form of a
tightly-packed equilateral triangle, with the Red at the apex standing on the
center line of the table, above the Pyramid Spot such that it will be as close
to the Pink as possible without touching it, and the base of the triangle
nearest to, and parallel with, the top cushion.
ii) Yellow on the right-hand corner of the
"D"
iii) Green on the left-hand corner of the
"D"
iv) Brown on the Middle of the Baulk-line,
v) Blue on the Center Spot,
vi) Pink on the Pyramid Spot, and
vii) Black on the Spot.
b) After
a frame has started, a ball in play may only be cleaned by the referee upon
reasonable request by the striker and
i)
the position of the ball, if not spotted, shall be marked by a suitable device
prior to the ball being lifted for cleaning,
ii)
the device used to mark the position of a ball being cleaned shall be regarded
as and acquire the value of the ball until such time as the ball has been
cleaned and replaced. If any player other than the striker should touch or
disturb the device, he shall be penalized as if he were the striker, without
affecting the order of play. The referee shall return the device or ball being
cleaned to its position, if necessary, to his satisfaction, even if it was
picked up.
3. Mode of Play
The players shall determine the order of play
by lot or in any mutually agreed manner.
a) The order of play thus determined must
remain unaltered throughout the frame, except a player may be asked by the next
player to play again after any foul.
b) The player or side to strike first must
alternate for each frame during a game.
c) The first player plays from In-hand,
the frame commencing when the cue-ball has been placed on the table and
contacted by the tip of the cue, either
i)
as a stroke is made, or
ii)
while addressing the cue-ball.
d) For a stroke to be fair, none of the
infringements described below in Rule 12, Penalties, must occur.
e) For the first stroke of each turn,
until all Reds are off the table, Red or a free ball nominated as a Red is the
ball on, and the value or each Red and any free ball nominated as a Red, potted
in the same stroke, is scored.
f) i) If
a Red, or a free ball nominated as a Red, is potted, the same player plays the
next stroke and the next ball on is a color of the striker's choice which, if
potted, is scored and the color is then spotted.
ii) The break is continued by potting Reds
and colors alternately until all the Reds are off the table and, where
applicable, a color has been played at following the potting of the last Red.
iii) The colors then become on in the
ascending order of their value as per Section 3 Rule 1(a) and when next potted
remain off the table, except as provided for in Rule 4 below, and the striker
plays the next stroke at the next color on.
g) Reds are not replaced on the table once
pocketed or forced off the table regardless of the fact that a player may thus
benefit from a foul. Exceptions to this concept are provided for in Section 3
Rules 2(b)(ii), 9, 14(f), 14(h) and 15.
h) If the striker fails to score or
commits a foul, his turn ends and the next player plays from where the cue-ball
comes to rest, or from In-hand if the cue-ball is off the table.
4. End of Frame, Game
Or Match
a) When only the Black is left, the first
score or foul ends the frame excepting only if the following conditions both
apply:
i)
The scores are then equal, and
ii)
Aggregate scores are not relevant.
b) When
both conditions in (a) above apply
i) The Black is
spotted,
ii) The players draw
lots for choice of playing
iii) The next player
plays from In-hand, and
iv) The next score or
foul ends the frame.
c) When aggregate scores determine the
winner of a game or match, and the aggregate scores are equal at the end of the
last frame, the players in that frame shall follow the procedure for a
re-spotted Black set out in (b) above.
5. Playing from In-hand
To play from In-hand, the cue-ball must be
struck from a position on or within the lines of the "D", but it may
be played in any direction.
a) The referee will state, if asked,
whether the cue-ball is properly placed (that is, not outside the lines of the
"D").
b) If the tip of the cue should touch the
cue-ball while positioning it, and the referee is satisfied that the striker
was not attempting to play a stroke, then the cue-ball is not in play.
6. Hitting Two Balls
Simultaneously
Two balls, other than two Reds or a free ball
and a ball on, must not be struck simultaneously by the first impact of the
cue-ball.
7. Spotting Colors
Any color pocketed or forced off the table
shall be spotted before the next stroke is made, until finally potted under
Section 3 Rule 3(f).
a) A player shall not be held responsible
for any mistake by the referee in failing to spot correctly any ball.
b) If a color is spotted in error after
being potted in ascending order as per Section 3 Rule 3(f)(iii), it shall be
removed from the table without penalty when the error is discovered and play
shall continue.
c) If a stroke is made with a ball or balls
not correctly spotted, they will be considered to be correctly spotted for
subsequent strokes. Any color incorrectly missing from the table will be
spotted:
i)
without penalty when discovered if missing due to previous oversight,
ii)
subject to penalty if the striker player before the referee was able to effect
the spotting.
d) If a color has to be spotted and its own
spot is occupied, it shall be placed on the highest value spot available.
e) If there is more than one color to be
spotted and their own spots are occupied, the highest value ball shall take
precedence in order of spotting.
f) If all spots are occupied, the color
shall be placed as near its own spot as possible, between that spot and the
nearest part of the top cushion.
g) In the case of Pink and Black, if all
spots are occupied and there is no available space between the relevant spot
and the nearest part of the top cushion, the color shall be placed as near to
its own spot as possible on the center line of the table below the spot.
h) In
all cases, the color when spotted must not be touching another ball.
i) A
color, to be properly spotted, must be placed by hand on the spot designated in
these Rules.
8. Touching Ball
a) If at the completion of a stroke the
cue-ball is touching a ball or balls on, or that could be on, the referee shall
state TOUCHING BALL and indicate which ball or balls on the cue-ball is
touching. If the cue-ball is touching one or more colors after a Red (or a free
ball nominated as a Red) have been potted, the referee shall also ask the
striker to DECLARE which color he is on.
b) When a touching ball has been called,
the striker must play the cue-ball away from that ball without moving it or it
is a push stroke.
c) Providing the striker does not cause
the object ball to move, there shall be no penalty if:
i)
The ball is on,
ii)
The ball could be on and the striker declares he is on it, or
iii)
The ball could be on and the striker declares, and first hits, another ball
that could be on.
d) If the cue-ball comes to rest touching
or nearly touching a ball that is not on, the referee, if asked whether it is
touching, will answer YES or NO. The striker must play away without disturbing
it as above but must first hit a ball that is on.
e) When the cue-ball is touching both a
ball on and a ball not on, the referee shall only indicate the ball on as
touching. If the striker should ask the referee whether the cue-ball is also
touching the ball not on, he is entitled to be told.
f) If the referee is satisfied that any
movement of a touching ball at the moment of striking was not caused by the
striker, he will not call a foul.
g) If a stationary object ball, not
touching the cue-ball when examined by the referee, is later seen to be in
contact with the cue-ball before a stroke has been made, the balls shall be
repositioned by the referee to his satisfaction. This also applies to a
touching ball which later, when examined by the referee is not touching; the
balls shall be repositioned by the referee to his satisfaction.
9. Ball on Edge of
Pocket
When a ball falls into a pocket without being
hit by another ball, and
a) Being
no part of any stroke in progress, it shall be replaced and any points
previously scored shall count.
b) If
it would have been hit by any ball involved in a stroke:
i)
With no infringement of these Rules (including cases where an infringement
would have occurred but for the ball falling into a pocket), all balls will be
replaced and the same stroke played again, or a different stroke may be played
at his discretion, by the same striker;
ii)
If a foul is committed, the striker incurs the penalty prescribed in Section 3
Rule 10, all balls will be replaced and the next player has the usual options
after a foul.
c) If a ball balances momentarily on the
edge of a pocket and then falls in, it shall count as in the pocket and not be
replaced.
10. Snookered After a
Foul
After a foul, if the cue-ball is snookered,
the referee shall state FREE BALL (see Section 2, Rule 16).
a) If
the player next in turn elects to play the next stroke,
i)
He may nominate any ball as the ball on, and
ii)
Any nominated ball shall be regarded as, and acquire the value of, the ball on
except that, if potted, is shall then be spotted.
b) It
is a foul if the cue-ball should
i)
Fail to hit the nominated ball first, or first simultaneously with the ball on,
or
ii)
Be snookered on all Reds, or the ball on, by the free ball thus nominated,
except when the Pink and Black are the only object balls remaining on the
table.
c) If
the free ball is potted, it is spotted and the value of the ball on is scored.
d) If
a ball on is potted, after the cue-ball struck the nominated ball first, or
simultaneously with a ball on, the ball on is scored and remains off the table.
e) If both the nominated ball and a ball on
are potted, only the ball on is scored unless it was a Red, when each ball
potted is scored. The free ball is then spotted and the ball on remains offs
the table.
f) If
the offender is asked to play again, the free ball call becomes void.
11. Fouls
If a foul is committed, the referee shall
immediately state FOUL.
a) If the striker has not made a stroke,
his turn ends immediately and the referee shall announce the penalty.
b) If a stroke has been made, the referee
will wait until completion of the stroke before announcing the penalty.
c) If a foul is neither awarded by the
referee, nor successfully claimed by the non-striker before the next stroke is
made, it is condoned.
d) Any color not correctly spotted shall
remain where positioned except that if off the table it shall be correctly
spotted.
e) All points scored in a break before a
foul is awarded are allowed but the striker shall not score any points for any
ball pocketed in a stroke called foul.
f) The next stroke is played from where the
cue-ball comes to rest or, if the cue-ball is off the table, from In-hand.
g) If more than one foul is committed in
the same stroke, the highest value penalty shall be incurred.
h) The
player who committed the foul
i)
Incurs the penalty prescribed in Rule 12 below, and
ii)
Has to play the next stroke if requested by the next player.
12. Penalties
All fouls will incur a penalty of four points
unless a higher one is indicated in paragraph (a) to (d) below. Penalties are:
a) Value
of the ball on by
i)
Striking the cue-ball more than once,
ii)
Striking when both feet are off the floor,
iii)
Playing out of turn,
iv)
Playing improperly from In-hand, including at the opening stroke,
v)
Causing the cue-ball to miss all object balls,
vi)
Causing the cue-ball to enter a pocket,
vii)
Playing a snooker behind a free ball,
viii)
Playing a jump shot,
ix)
Playing with a non-standard cue, or
x)
Conferring with a partner contrary to Section 3 Rule 17(e).
b) Value
of the ball on or ball concerned, whichever is higher, by
i)
Striking when any ball is not at rest,
ii)
Striking before the referee has completed the spotting of a color,
iii)
Causing a ball not on to enter a pocket,
iv)
Causing the cue-ball to first hit a ball not on,
v)
Making a push stroke
vi)
Touching a ball in play, other than the cue-ball with the tip of the cue as a
stroke is made, or
vii)
Causing a ball to be forced off the table.
c) value of the ball on or higher value of
the two balls concerned by causing the cue-ball to first hit simultaneously two
balls, other than two Reds or a free ball and a ball on.
d) A
penalty of seven points is incurred if the striker
i)
Uses a ball off the table for any purpose,
ii)
uses any object to measure gaps or distance,
iii)
plays at Reds, or a free ball followed by a Red, in successive strokes,
iv)
Uses any ball other than White as the cue-ball for any stroke once the frame
has started,
v)
Fails to declare which ball he is on when requested to do so by the referee, or
vi)
After potting a Red or free ball nominated as a Red, commits a foul before
nominating a color.
13. Play Again
Once a player has requested an opponent to
play again after a foul or requested the replacement of ball(s) after a Foul
and a Miss, such request cannot be withdrawn. The offender, having been asked
to play again, is entitled to:
a) Change
his mind as to:
i)
Which stroke he will play; and
ii)
Which ball on he will attempt to hit;
b) Score
points for any ball or balls he may pot.
14. Foul and a Miss
The striker shall, to the best of his ability,
endeavor to hit the ball on. If the referee considers the Rule infringed, he
shall call FOUL AND A MISS unless only the Black remains on the table, or a
situation exists where it is impossible to hit the ball on. In the latter case
it must be assumed the striker is attempting to hit the ball on provided that
he plays, directly or indirectly, in the direction of the ball on with
sufficient strength, in the referee's opinion, to have reached the ball on but
the obstructing ball or balls.
a) After a foul and a miss has been
called, the next player may request the offender to play again from the
position left or, at his discretion, from the original position, in which
latter case the ball on shall be the same as it was prior to the last stroke
made, namely:
i)
Any Red, where Red was the ball on,
ii)
The color on, where all Reds were off the table, or
iii)
A color of the striker's choice, where the ball on was a color after a Red had
been potted.
b) If the striker, in making a stroke,
fails to first hit a ball on when there is a clear path in a straight line from
the cue-ball to any part of any ball that is or could be on, the referee shall
call FOUL AND A MISS, unless:
i)
Any player needed penalty points before, or as a result of, the stroke being
played; (see (b) (ii)
ii)
Before or after the stroke, the points available on the table are equal to the
points difference excluding the value of the re-spotted black;
and the referee is
satisfied that the miss was not intentional.
c) After a miss has been called under
paragraph (b) above when there was a clear path in a straight line from the
cue-ball to a ball that was on or that could have been on, such that central,
full-ball, contact was available (in the case of Reds, this to be taken as a
full diameter of any Red that is not obstructed by a color), then:
i)
A further failure to first hit a ball on in making a stroke from the same
position shall be called as a FOUL AND A MISS regardless of the difference in
scores, and
ii)
If asked to play again from the original position, the offender shall be warned
by the referee that a third failure will result in the frame being awarded to
his opponent.
d) After the cue-ball has been replaced
under this Rule, and the striker fouls any ball, including the cue-ball while
preparing to play a stroke, a miss will not be called if a stroke has not been
played. In this case the appropriate penalty will be imposed; and the ball on
shall be the same as prior to the last stroke made, namely:
i)
any Red, where Red was the ball on;
ii)
the color on, where all Reds were off the table; or
iii)
a color of the striker's choice, where the ball on was a color after a Red had
been potted; and
iv)
the next player may elect to play the stroke himself or ask the offender to
play again from the position left; or
v)
the next player may ask the referee to replace all balls moved to their
original position and have the offender play again from there; and
vi)
if the above situation arises during a sequence of miss calls, any warning
concerning the possible awarding of the frame to his opponent shall remain in
effect.
e) All other misses will be called at the
discretion of the referee, unless, before or after the stroke, the points
available on the table are equal to the point’s difference excluding the value
of the re-spotted black.
f) After a miss and a request by the next
player to replace the cue-ball, any object balls disturbed will remain where
they are unless the referee considers the offending player would or could gain
an advantage. In the latter case, any or all disturbed balls may be replaced to
the referee's satisfaction and in either case, colors incorrectly off the table
will be spotted or replaced as appropriate.
g) When any ball is being replaced after a
miss, both the offender and the next player will be consulted as to its
position, after which the referee's decision shall be final.
h) During such consultation, if either
player should touch any ball in play, he shall be penalized as if he were the
striker, without affecting the order of play. The ball touched shall be
replaced by the referee, to his satisfaction, if necessary, even if it was
picked up.
i)
The next player may ask if the referee intends to replace balls other than the
cue-ball in the event that he should ask for the stroke to be played from the
original position, and the referee shall state his intentions.
15. Ball Moved By Other
Than Striker
If a ball, stationary or moving, is disturbed
other than by the striker, it shall be re-positioned by the referee to the
place he judges the ball was, or would have finished, without penalty.
a) This Rule shall include cases where
another occurrence or person, other than the striker's partner, causes the
striker to move a ball.
b) No player shall be penalized for any
disturbance of balls by the referee.
16. Stalemate
If the referee thinks a position of stalemate
exists, or is being approached, he shall offer the players the immediate option
of re-starting the frame. If any player objects, the referee shall allow play
to continue with the proviso that the situation must change within a stated
period, usually after three more strokes to each side but at the referee's
discretion. If the situation remains basically unchanged after the stated
period has expired, the referee shall nullify all scores and re-set all balls
as for the start of a frame and
a) The same player shall again make the
opening stroke,
b) The same order of play shall be
maintained.
17. Four-handed Snooker
a) In a Four-handed game each side shall
open alternate frames and the order of play shall be determined at the start of
each frame and, when so determined, must be maintained throughout that frame.
b) Players may change the order of play at
the start of each new frame.
c) If a foul is committed and a request to
play again is made, the player who committed the foul plays again, even if the
foul was made out of turn, and the original order of play is maintained such
that the offender's partner may lose a turn.
d) When a frame ends in a tie Section 3
Rule 4 applies. If a re-spotted Black is necessary the pair who play the first
stroke have the choice of which player will make that stroke. The order of play
must then continue as in the frame.
e) Partners may confer during a frame but
not
i)
Whilst one is the striker and at the table, nor
ii)
After the first stroke of the striker's turn until the break ends.
18. Use of Ancillary
Equipment
It is the responsibility if the striker to
both place and remove any equipment he may use at the table.
a) The striker is responsible for all
items including, but not limited to, rests and extensions that he brings to the
table, whether owned by him or borrowed (except from the referee), and he will
be penalized for any fouls made by him when using this equipment.
b) Equipment normally found at the table
which has been provided by another party including the referee is not the
responsibility of the striker. Should this equipment prove to be faulty and
thereby cause the striker to touch a ball or balls, no fouls will be called.
The referee will, if necessary, reposition any balls in accordance with Rule 15
above and the striker, if in a break, will be allowed to continue without
penalty.
19. Interpretation
a) Throughout these Rules and Definitions,
words implying the masculine gender shall equally apply to and include the
female gender.
b) Circumstances may necessitate
adjustment in how Rules are applied for persons with physical handicaps. In
particular and for example:
i)
Section 3 Rule 12(a)(ii) cannot be applied to players in wheelchairs, and
ii)
A player, upon request to the referee, shall be told the color of a ball if he
is unable to differentiate between colors as, for example, red and green.
c) When there is no referee, such as in a
social game, the opposing player or side will be regarded as such for the
purpose of these Rules.
SECTION
4 - The Players
1. Conduct
In the event of:
a) A Player taking an abnormal amount of
time over a stroke or the selection of a stroke; or
b) Any conduct by a Player which in the
opinion of the referee is willfully or persistently unfair; or
c) Any other conduct by a Player which
otherwise amounts to ungentlemanly conduct; or
d) Refusing to continue a frame;
The referee shall either:
e) Warn the Player that in the event of
any such further conduct the frame will be awarded to his opponent; or
f) Award the frame to his opponent; or
g) In the event that the conduct is
sufficiently serious award the game to his opponent
If a referee has warned the Player under (e)
above, in the event of any further conduct as referred to above, the referee
must either:
h) Award the frame to his opponent; or
i) In the event that the further conduct
is sufficiently serious, award the game to his opponent.
If a referee has awarded a frame to a Player’s
opponent pursuant to the above provisions, in the event of any further conduct
as referred to above by the Player concerned, the referee must award the game
to the Player’s opponent.
Any decision by a referee to award a frame
and/or the game to a Player’s opponent shall be final and shall not be subject
to any appeal.
2. Penalty
a) If
a frame is forfeited under this Section, the offender shall:
i)
Lose the frame; and
ii)
Forfeit all points scored and the non-offender shall receive a number of points
equivalent to the value of the balls remaining on the table, with each Red
counting as eight points and any color incorrectly off the table being counted
as if spotted.
b) If a game is forfeited under this
Section, the offender shall
i)
Lose the frame in progress as in (a); and
ii)
Additionally lose the required number of non-played frames to complete the game
where frames are relevant; or
iii)
Additionally lose the remaining frames, each valued at 147 points, where
aggregate points apply.
3. Non-Striker
The non-striker shall, when the striker is
playing, avoid standing or moving in line of sight of the striker. He shall sit
or stand at a reasonable distance from the table.
4. Absence
In the case of his absence from the room, the
non-striker may appoint a deputy to watch his interest and claim a foul if
necessary. Such appointment must be made known to the referee prior to
departure.
5. Conceding
a) A player may only concede when he is
the striker. The opponent has the right to accept or refuse the concession,
which becomes null and void if the opponent chooses to play on
b) When aggregate scores apply and a frame
is conceded, the value of any balls remaining on the table is added to the
score of the other side. In such case, Reds shall count as eight points each
and any color incorrectly.
c) A player shall not concede a frame in
any match unless snookers are required. Any breach of this rule shall be
regarded as ungentlemanly conduct by the player concerned.
SECTION
5 - The Officials
1. The Referee
a) The referee shall
i)
Be the sole judge of fair and unfair play
ii)
Be free to make a decision in the interests of fair play for any situation not
covered adequately by Rule,
iii)
Be responsible for the proper conduct of the game under these Rules,
iv)
Intervene if he sees any infringement of these Rules,
v)
Clean any ball upon reasonable request by a player.
b) The referee shall not
i)
Answer any question not authorized in these Rules,
ii)
Give any indication that a player is about to make a foul stroke,
iii)
Give any advice or opinion on points affecting play, nor
iv)
Answer any question regarding the difference in scores.
c) If the referee has failed to notice any
incident, he may take the evidence of the marker or other officials or
spectators best placed for observation to assist his decision.
2. The Marker
The marker shall keep the score on the
scoreboard and assist the referee in carrying out his duties. He shall also act
as recorder if necessary.
3. The Recorder
The recorder shall maintain a record of each
stroke played, showing fouls where appropriate and how many points are scored
by each player or side as required. He shall also make note of break totals.
4. Assistance by
Officials
a) At the striker's request, the referee
or marker shall move and hold in position any lighting apparatus that
interferes with the action of the striker in making a stroke.
b) It is permissible for the referee or
marker to give necessary assistance to handicapped players according to their
circumstances.
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