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Learn Snooker: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide


snooker coloured balls and a cue ball

If you're new to the game, understanding how to play snooker is the first step. Snooker is a cue sport played on a large table with 15 red balls, six colored balls, and one white cue ball. The objective is to score more points than your opponent by potting balls in a specific sequence. The tips below will help you learn snooker faster


Learn Snooker: How to Play

  1. The Objective Players aim to score points by potting a red ball followed by a colored ball, alternating in this sequence. After all red balls are cleared, the colored balls must be potted in a specific order: yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, and finally black.

  2. Scoring Points

    • Red ball: 1 point

    • Yellow: 2

    • Green: 3

    • Brown: 4

    • Blue: 5

    • Pink: 6

    • Black: 7

  3. The Break-Off The game starts with one player breaking the reds. The cue ball must hit a red first. Fouls occur if the wrong ball is hit or missed entirely.

  4. Potting Sequence

    • Pot a red (1 point)

    • Choose and pot a color (adds its point value)

    • Repeat until all reds are gone

    • Pot colors in order: yellow to black

  5. Winning the Frame The frame ends when all balls are potted or one player concedes. The player with the most points wins.


Tips for Beginners

  • Practice cue control and aiming techniques

  • Learn safety shots to limit your opponent’s options

  • Watch professional matches to understand strategies

  • Play regularly to build confidence and skill


See the snooker rules here


To play well, start with the basics, stay consistent, and enjoy the learning process. With practice and a focus on fundamentals, you’ll improve steadily and find great satisfaction in this classic cue sport.

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