Q&A for How to Play Snooker

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  • Question
    Is it against the rules for the white ball to hit a bank before it hits the object ball?
    Community Answer
    If by "bank" you mean the border, then it is not against the rules. You can hit the border before the you hit the object ball if your way is blocked.
  • Question
    How do I snooker someone easily?
    Community Answer
    Pot a red, but let the cue ball come back to the yellow green brown. Then gently place the cue ball behind one of those.
  • Question
    How do I play a bottom shot?
    Community Answer
    Put a spin on the cue ball by hitting it with the cue off-center. If you hit the cue ball towards the base, you apply backspin and it will usually come back towards you. If you hit the ball towards the top, it will usually carry on. If the ball is struck slightly to left or right, it will usually swerve off in that direction after hitting the object ball.
  • Question
    Which side of the cue ball do I strike to make the target ball run down the cushion and into the pocket?
    Community Answer
    If potting down the rail to the left, you strike the right side. If potting to the right, strike the left side.
  • Question
    What happens when you get a white ball in?
    Community Answer
    It's a foul and four points are awarded to your opponent. This can differ if you have potted a red, and have nominated a color (e.g. the black), then the foul will result in your opponent getting seven points. The same principle applies for fouls on all colors: The opponent is awarded the value of the color, with a minimum of four points.
  • Question
    How do I improve my aim when striking the cue ball?
    Community Answer
    Play the white ball down the spots. Put the white ball on the brown spot, hit it over the blue and black spots. It should rebound off the top cushion and back across the spots. If you can do this repeatedly, then you are cuing correctly. Try it with left and right side.
  • Question
    Why is it they don't always concede when their points are more than what's left on the table; do they get points for a snooker?
    Community Answer
    Yes, they are hoping for the opponent to fail so they can come back and try to snooker them. Usually if 2 or more snookers are required, players do end up conceding. Also, sometimes the game is continued so the winning player may score a high break, such as a century(100+) or maximum (147).
  • Question
    What if I hit another colored ball instead of red?
    Community Answer
    It's a foul shot. You are penalized the value of the colored ball, with a minimum of 4 points.
  • Question
    What happens when I am supposed to aim for the yellow ball, but I accidentally hit a green ball in snooker?
    Community Answer
    It's a foul shot. You are penalized the value of the highest-valued colored ball involved, with a minimum of 4 points.
  • Question
    How are scratches handled in snooker?
    Community Answer
    Typically, a scratch or "on ball" foul (hitting a ball other than the one you intended, or failing to hit a ball altogether) results in the loss of the player's turn. The other player is sometimes awarded a "free ball" shot, where they can position the cue ball anywhere on the table to start their next turn.
  • Question
    What is felt in Snooker?
    Community Answer
    The felt is the green cloth of the snooker table. It's usually brushed before the start of a game. The direction of the felt can also contribute to the effect of slide on the cue ball.
  • Question
    If I miss a colored ball and pocket the white instead, what is the penalty?
    Community Answer
    It's a foul shot. You are penalized the value of the colored ball you designated as the on ball, with a minimum of 4 points.
  • Question
    Can I play snooker with pool balls since that's all I have at hand?
    Community Answer
    There are 21 balls in snooker, so I suppose if you have 21 pool balls, you can.
  • Question
    How long is a ball allowed to hang on the outside of a hole before it is the next player's turn?
    Community Answer
    Until one of the players decides to take a shot at it. There is no set amount of time.
  • Question
    How do I take the shot if I have the black ball in front of my cue ball, and one of my red ball remains?
    Community Answer
    If it is touching the black ball, you have to shoot away from the black so that it does not move. If it is not touching the black ball, you can play the cue ball off any side cushion to hit the red without hitting the black first.
  • Question
    What is a pocket shot?
    Community Answer
    A pocket shot is when the cue ball is sitting in the jaws of the pocket without falling in.
  • Question
    What happens if I miss the white ball?
    Community Answer
    If you completely miss it you could reshoot, but if you touched it with the cue in any way, that counts as your shot and you lose your turn.
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