Rules for AMERICAN SNOOKER
Except when clearly contradicted by these additional rules, the General Rules of Pocket Billiards apply.
EQUIPMENT USED
Either a 5'x10' or 6'x12' snooker table. A set of 2-1/8"
snooker balls: fifteen object balls that are not numbered and
solid RED (called REDs), six object balls that may or may not be
numbered (called COLORs), and a cue ball.
PLAYERS
Two or more individuals, or teams.
THE RACK
The Green-ball spots on the LHS of the "D" (radius of 9-1/8" for a
5'x10' table). The Brown-ball spots on the head spot, the midpoint of
the straight line part of the "D" (which is 23-1/2" from the head
cushion. The Yellow-ball spots on the RHS of the "D". The Blue-ball
spots on the center spot. The apex of the triangle of REDs goes on the
foot spot. The Pink-ball is placed in front of the apex ball (a RED) on
the center string of the table. After the opening break the spot for
the Pink-ball is the foot spot. The Black-ball is spotted on the center
string 10-1/2" from the foot cushion.
SCORING
Points are scored in two ways. Players are awarded points when
their opponent(s) foul, or when they themself legally pocket an
object ball. Each legally pocketed RED has a point value of
one. Each COLOR has the following point value associated with
it:
- Yellow ball 2-points,
- Green ball 3-points,
- Brown ball 4-points,
- Blue ball 5-points,
- Pink ball 6-points,
- Black ball 7-points.
OBJECT OF THE GAME
To score more points than your opponent(s) without violating these
rules.
OPENING BREAK
The starting player has cue ball in hand within the "D". For a legal
break he must either cause a RED to be sunk, or drive a RED and the cue
ball to a cushion after contacting the rack. Failure to meet these
requirements is a foul and a breaking violation. If a breaking
violation occurs the incoming player has the option of accepting the
table as it lies, or having the previous player break again.
RULES OF PLAY
A legally pocketed ball entitles the shooter to continue at the table.
On all shots the player must comply with the appropriate requirements
below for shooting the ball he is on (either RED, or specified COLOR).
Failure to do so is a foul.
As long as the REDs are on the table an incoming player will have a RED
as his legal object ball (his on-ball). The RED balls do not need to be
called in any manner. Any number of REDs may be dropped legally when a
RED is the on-ball. A RED ball will never be spotted. Failure to
contact a RED first when it is the player's on-ball is a foul. It is
also a foul to pocket a COLOR while on a RED.
After a RED ball is pocketed a COLOR becomes the player's on-ball. The
player must announce, prior to shooting, which COLOR he is on. Failure
to hit the on-ball is a foul. COLORs must be sunk cleanly. If the
COLOR, on-ball, is pocketed and has touched any other ball on its way
into a pocket it is a foul. If more than one COLOR is pocketed on a
stroke it is a foul. If a COLOR is pocketed the shooter is responsible
for spotting it on its spot prior to the next stroke. Failure to spot
it is a foul.
As long as REDs remain on the table the shooter must alternate between
REDs and COLORs as his on-ball.
Once the REDs are off the table the COLORs must be shot in rotation,
according to their numerical values (from lowest to highest). The
on-ball for the incoming player now becomes the lowest COLOR on the
table. If the COLORs are all run off in one inning the shooter receives
a bonus of 100-points.
The incoming player is responsible for seeing that all the COLORs are
where they should be. If the incoming player shoots with one or more
COLORs out of place it is a foul.
END OF GAME
The game is over when all the COLORs have been legally pocketed, and one
player has more points than the other(s). If there is a tie on points
then the Black (#7) ball is spotted on its spot and the tied players lag
to determine who shoots at it first. The cue ball must be put in play
from within the "D". Failure to do so is a foul. Play will continue
until a foul occurs or a player legally pockets the Black.
SPOTTING BALLS
REDs are never spotted. COLORs are to be spotted on the spots they
occupied at the start of the game. If a COLOR's spot is blocked it will
be placed on the spot of the highest COLOR that is not blocked. If that
is not possible it will be spotted as close to its spot as possible on a
direct line to the foot cushion.
CUE BALL AFTER SCRATCH
The incoming player has the cue ball in hand from within the "D". Any
on-ball may be shot regardless of position on the table.
PENALTY FOR FOULS
The non-fouling player receives 7-points for each foul. The incoming
player may accept the table as it lies, or have the player who committed
the foul shoot again.
If the cue tip touches the cloth on a masse shot, it is a double foul.
The penalty will be twice that of a regular foul.
These rules are used by Billy Aardd's Club, NMIMT, Socorro, NM.