The Different Types Of Fouls In Snooker
One of the sports that has grown in popularity over the last couple of decades and, certainly from a betting perspective, is snooker.
Of course, this has always been considered to be a popular sport, when considering some of the greats in their prime (pre-2000), such as Alex Higgins, Steve Davis, Jimmy White and Stephen Hendry, then latterly Ronnie O’Sullivan – many people’s number one favourite of all time.
Traditionally considered to be a British sport, due to the nationalities of the best players, it has since become more global, or at least when you factor in talents that have emerged from Asian countries like China. The game has also moved on considerably, even becoming more technical over the years.
One of the biggest elements of the game of snooker revolves around fouls and penalties that are awarded – indeed a player can force a foul upon their opposition which can provide a major, tactical (and even psychological) advantage.
Below, we take a look at some of the different types of fouls that are awarded in the sport and how players can benefit from these.
How Can Fouls Be Conceded?
There are many types of fouls that can be conceded in the game of snooker, all of which have different forms of punishments on the player that commits them. Let’s take a look at each of these and how they can affect the game.
Failure To Hit Any Type Of Ball With The Cue Ball
The cue ball is obviously the white ball and if a player does not hit a ball with this a foul is automatically conceded. There are times when this could be considered to be a tactical foul, if that player is not able to hit one of their own balls.
Instead they may try and attempt to put the cue ball in a position that prevents their opponent from having a clear shot on their own balls, usually because they have been ‘snookered’ by their opponent. As such, four points are conceded. The opposing player can also request the shot to be played again if they feel that where the cue ball ended up is disadvantageous to them.
Hitting Or Potting The Wrong Ball
If this happens to a player, the penalty value differs because each ball has a different value. As a result, it means that the offending player concedes the relevant number of points based on which one they hit. This is reflected by their opponent automatically being awarded this number of points. Below, we have listed the different coloured balls and their values by points.
| Colour Of Snooker Ball | Value |
|---|---|
| Red | One point |
| Yellow | Two points |
| Green | Three points |
| Brown | Four points |
| Blue | Five points |
| Pink | Six points |
| Black | Seven points |
Often in normal play, the best possible sequence that a player can achieve is potting a red, then a black (players have to pot a colour after a red), until there are no more reds left. This totals ‘147’ altogether (has been achieved on many occasions) and, in rare cases, an even bigger total is possible, if a player’s opponent fouls.
Cue Ball Goes Off The Table
If this happens, a player’s opponent is automatically awarded four points and they get to play the ball from wherever they like on the table (to hit a red ball), however, it is very rare for this type of foul to occur in professional snooker, given that each player practises every day. This can often occur due to a lack of concentration resulting in them not connecting to the cue ball properly, or because they perhaps have applied too much or little chalk to their cue.
When A ‘Jump Shot’ Is Played
While many amateur pool players like the bravado of playing this type of shot, to showcase their skills, this is actually an illegal shot in snooker and results in a foul. This happens when a player lofts the cue ball over one that is blocking their intended target to try and reach it. Four points are automatically conceded, however, this is a shot that does not happen (at least intentionally), in professional snooker. Essentially, it would be considered to be a blatant disregard of the rules and certainly is not snooker etiquette.
Playing A Shot With Both Feet Off The Ground
There are cases in snooker when the cue ball is almost unreachable and the player has to lean over the table to reach it, in order to play a shot as effectively as they can. While this is allowed, they have to keep at least one foot on the floor. However, players are able to request aids in the form of an assistance cue that helps to stabilise the intended shot.
Hitting The Cue Ball More Than Once With The Same Shot
This can be considered more of an accidental foul and while this happens rarely, it is often because the cue ball has not been hit true enough. Usually, it is because the player may change their mind half-way through the shot, which causes indecision. Alternatively, it could be as a result of a lack of concentration.
When this happens, the player concedes four points and the shot is required to be played again.
Potting The Cue Ball
This is quite a common foul in snooker, especially if the player perhaps hits the cue ball too hard, in order to try and make a difficult shot. It is deemed to be an unlucky foul. Regardless of whether the player made the shot they intended (even if they potted a legal ball), this shot is chalked off, the ball replaced, the player is fouled four points and a free shot awarded to their opponent.
When Seven Points Are Awarded For A Foul In Snooker
There are severe cases when players concede seven points for a foul in a game of snooker, though, again, in the professional game, this is a rare occurrence, because it would be seen as a blatant ignorance of the rules. Below, we explore these extreme circumstances and what occurs when the fouls have been committed.
Striking A Red In Successive Shots
This one, could perhaps be blamed on a momentary lapse of memory or concentration, however, this foul does result in seven points being forfeited. In snooker, once a red ball has been potted, players are then required to pot any ‘coloured’ ball.
Failure To Declare An Intended Shot When The Referee Asks
On the occasion when the referee asks a player which ball they are planning to hit and they neglect to do so, seven points and a foul is automatically awarded to their opponent. This happens very rarely in snooker.
Using Any Object To Measure Distance On The Table
Professional snooker players are aware of this rule, so this foul happens very rarely, though should a player pick up any object to measure distance of a shot, then seven points and a foul is awarded to their opponent.
When A Player Has To Rely On Snookers To Try To Win
Florian Albrecht – Flo12, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
If a player’s opponent has built up a considerable lead, which makes it impossible to win a frame in regulation play, the only way to build up the necessary points to win is to force snookers on the other player.
There have been cases where the most skilled players have achieved this; consistently forcing their opponent into a snooker in order to win four points each time, regardless of whether they have been able to hit a possible ball.
Most of the time, this rarely works to the point that allows a player to win a frame – often they only manage to claw back a percentage of the necessary points before their opponent finds a way out of a ‘snooker’.
Disorderly Conduct By Snooker Players In A Match
In the worst case scenario, a snooker player can forfeit a snooker match, due to their behaviour in a game – this often being the result of a decision that goes against them that they disagree with.
This is often at the discretion of the referees, depending on how bad the behaviour is from the offending snooker player. Most of the time, they will receive a warning and the referee may decide to award their opponent an ‘x’ number of points, though it could also mean that they are automatically disqualified.
The relevant governing body may then decide to take the matter further, depending on how severe the offence is, which could result in fines for unprofessional conduct, or even a suspension (worse case scenario a lifetime ban) for the player in question.
Ultimately the sport’s image is the most important issue for the governing bodies and the protection of its reputation is paramount.
Could Rules Be Changed For Fouls?
It is not beyond the realms of possibility for the governing bodies to decide on an overhaul of the rules for fouls, making them more or less severe depending on the type of foul that has been committed.
There is also the case that more fouls are added if it appears that players are abusing a particular loophole in the game to gain what may be considered to be an unfair advantage.
As such, it is worth keeping a check on this, if you are a regular spectator of the sport so you are aware of what is happening in the game.
