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🏛️Official — WPBSA
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Own up to fouls the referee didn't see
Players routinely call a foul on themselves, such as a slight touch of a ball with the cue, sleeve or body, even when the referee missed it. Snooker's reputation as a gentleman's game rests on this. Top players have conceded frames or points by admitting unseen touches.
Stay still and silent while an opponent is at the table
The player in the chair sits still, doesn't distract, and stays out of the opponent's line of sight. Spectators keep quiet during shots. This is partly written in the rules as conduct, but the specific customs of stillness, silence and not moving in the opponent's eyeline are observed as tradition.
The Table (Section 1, Rule 1). The standard snooker table's playing area — measured within the cushion faces — shall be 11 ft 8½ in by 5 ft 10 in (3569 mm × 1778 mm), with a permitted tolerance of ±½ in (13 mm) on both dimensions.
— Rule 1, Rule 2, Rule 3, Rule 11, Rule 4, Rule 20, Section 1, Section 3
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the exact dimensions of 11 feet 8 and a half inches by 5 feet 10 inches are strictly adhered to without room for variation, but actually, there is a ±½ inch tolerance allowed on both dimensions, which can lead to arguments about whether equipment or ball placement fits perfectly within these measurements.
The Baulk-line and Baulk. A straight line is drawn 29 in (737 mm) from the face of the Bottom Cushion, running parallel to it from side cushion to side cushion; this is the Baulk-line, and the intervening space nearer the Bottom Cushion is termed Baulk (Section 1, Rule 1(d)).
— Rule 1, Rule 5, Rule 2, Section 1, Section 3
Why people argue about this
People often assume that Baulk is simply a line drawn 29 inches from the bottom cushion, forgetting that it's actually an area closer to the bottom cushion where players must aim for their first shot of each frame. The confusion arises because they overlook the crucial part about it being "the intervening space nearer the Bottom Cushion.
The Striker and Turn (Section 2, Rule 5). The player about to play, or in the act of playing, is the "striker," and it remains their turn until a stroke is played without scoring, a foul is committed and all balls have come to rest, the opponent i...
— Rule 5, Rule 1, Rule 18, Rule 21, Section 2, Section 4, Section 3, Section 5
Why people argue about this
People often assume that once a player starts their turn, they can only end it by fouling, which leads to arguments when they might want to skip a shot or take a break for whatever reason. The confusion arises because the rule actually states that a player's turn continues until all balls have come to rest after their stroke, not just due to a foul.
Description of the Game (Section 3, Rule 1). Each player uses the same White cue-ball; there are 21 object balls — 15 Reds, each valued 1 point, and 6 colours (Yellow 2, Green 3, Brown 4, Blue 5, Pink 6, Black 7).
— Rule 1, Rule 10, Rule 3, Rule 5, Rule 9, Rule 17, Rule 12, Rule 14, Rule 13, Rule 19, Section 3, Section 2
Why people argue about this
People often assume that all players must use a different cue-ball throughout an entire game, which leads to arguments about who gets to choose their cue-ball at each frame. However, the actual rule is that each player uses the same White cue-ball for the whole match, and only changes it if damaged or lost during play, not between frames.
Point Values (Section 3, Rule 1(a)). Object balls carry the following values: Red — 1 point; Yellow — 2; Green — 3; Brown — 4; Blue — 5; Pink — 6; Black — 7.
— Rule 1, Rule 16, Rule 8, Rule 4, Rule 14, Section 3, Section 2, Section 4
Why people argue about this
People often assume that if a player sinks a yellow ball instead of a red one, they automatically score double points for that frame, which isn't how it works according to the WPBSA rules. The confusion arises because they misinterpret the rule stating object balls carry specific point values; in reality, each ball's value is fixed regardless of its position on the table.
Fouls Generally (Section 3, Rule 10). When a foul is committed, the referee immediately calls FOUL.
— Rule 10, Rule 11, Rule 18, Rule 1, Section 3, Section 4
Why people argue about this
People often assume that a foul is called immediately after committing one, which leads them to argue about when exactly it should be signaled by the referee. However, the actual rule states the referee can call it at their discretion, not necessarily right away.
Snooker is a low-contact, non-collision cue sport, and the WPBSA's Official Rules of the Games of Snooker and English Billiards is chiefly a code of fair play and equipment integrity rather than a personal-injury safety manual. Even so, several pr...
— Rule 3, Rule 11, Rule 20, Rule 2, Rule 19, Rule 1, Section 1, Section 3, Section 2, Section 4
Why people argue about this
People often assume that safety considerations in snooker are solely about avoiding collisions with other players, forgetting that maintaining a safe playing area is equally important. The confusion arises because section 8 covers both personal safety and ensuring the table remains intact for future games, which isn't always top of mind when focusing on direct player interactions.