Snooker (rule)

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In the game of snooker, a snooker is a shot that leaves the opponent unable to hit a legal ball directly. The opponent is then said to be snookered, and is forced to attempt a shot off a cushion in order to avoid conceding a foul.

If potting all the remaining balls (and allowing for a black after every red) would still leave a player trailing his opponent, then he is said to be needing snookers - this stage of a game is accordingly called snookers required. At this point the only way for him to win is to lure the opponent into making fouls. The 'miss' rule no longer applies for either player at this point.

The official term is slightly different: A free ball is awarded if the player is snookered after his opponent's foul, unless he can hit both sides of a ball on (or group of reds, when they are 'on'). This means that a 'snooker' is any situation in which a player can not easily hit a ball 'on'.

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