Importance of the ball- James Crickmore

James Crickmore-  The most important ball on the snooker table is the White.It's the only one you strike with your cue and your ability to control it determines whether you'll win frames or appear on You've Been Framed. It's not just about making the pot, you have to plan ahead and manoeuvre the cue-ball accurately. Click here on how to get into snooker Whether you're building a break or playing safe, you need to be a master of spin - and the Academy's here to show you how. SCREW AND STUN: This is the most common form of spin used by players. It is achieved by striking the lower half of the cue ball. You can stop the cue ball dead by hitting just below centre, but if it's more backspin you're after, strike the ball lower. Jimmy: Master of the screw shot Be careful not to strike too low or the cue-ball will jump, and if you really overdo it, you may even end up ripping the cloth! As for direction, screw back in a straight line by hitting the bottom centre of the ball. Strike the lower sides of the cue ball to send the ball left or right after impact. SIDE SPIN: Probably the hardest technique to employ successfully - even experienced professionals have difficulty judging side spin. Achieved by striking left or right of the centre of the cue-ball, this form of spin affects how the white ball travels towards the object ball. If the left hand side is struck, the white will move right of centre - and vice versa. Once perfected, this skill can even be used to swerve out of a snooker! TOP SPIN: Striking the upper part of the cue ball causes it to travel further after impact with the object ball. It is helpful to raise your bridge hand when playing this shot. Top of advice from Mark Williams This will steady your aim and enables greater accuracy when striking above the centre of the white ball. Players use this shot frequently, particularly when attempting to open a pack of reds. As ever the amount of spin is determined by two things - how hard you hit the cue ball, and the distance between the cue ball and the object ball.

Snooker Rules

Snooker Rules

James Robert Crickmore

Simply because snooker rules, here are the rules of snooker.

If you have questions about the game, please feel free to leave it in the comments thread following the rules, or to email cousinavi (at) gmail (dot) com.  I’m a qualified snooker referee and will be happy to field any posers you might be snookered behind.
Highest possible break in a single frame?  155 (and it’s been done).
Fouls, respotting the final black…the foul miss rule is always good for a few faceplams…everything from bridges and extensions to using a box to increase your height relative to the playing surface…I’m ready for it.

James Crickmore-
Ever play someone who prefers to keep the chalk in the palm of their bridge hand while playing a stroke?
FOUL!
Look forward to hearing from you.  Good potting and good luck.
BTW:  Ronnie O’Sullivan is the most naturally gifted player in the history of the game.  He may never win as many titles as Hendry or Davis (either of them), but he has played at a higher level than anyone ever dared dream.  A 5’20″ 147 clearance is proof enough of that, as was the sparkling max he tossed in to send Mark Williams out of the recent World Championships.  All you wankers who blither on about Hendry’s consistency and longevity, Higgins’ flair and style, The Nugget’s dominance in the 80′s and Jimmy White’s never-ending frustration just aren’t paying attention.
In addition to the above-linked Ronnie bit, I’ve posted these snooker related scribblings (assuming you’re at all interested in reading the posts of a dodgy potter and weak position player):  Dougie Borden and Snooker Comes to Taiwan.

And so, on to the rules.  Let’s start with the proper layout and point values.

Table - layout and colour values

Type of Game: International or “English” snooker is the most widely played form of snooker around the world. It is generally played on 6′x12′ English billiard tables, with cushions that are more narrow than on pocket billiard tables and which curve smoothly into the pocket openings. 5 x 10 and snooker tables of even smaller playing dimensions may be used for the game. On a 6 x 12 snooker (English billiard) table the playing area within the cushion faces shall measure 11′ 8.5″ x 5′ 10″ with a tolerance on both dimensions of +/-0.5″. The height of the table is measured from the floor to the top of the cushion rail, and the height shall measure 34″ with an allowable variance of +/-0.5″.

Players: 2

Balls Used: Set of Snooker balls: fifteen object balls that are not numbered and are solid red (called reds), six object balls of other colors that are not numbered (called colors) and a cue ball (called the white ball). Point values for object balls: red-1, yellow-2, green-3, brown-4, blue-5, pink-6, black-7. In International Snooker the balls used are 2-1/16″ diameter.

The Rack: Play begins with the balls placed as in the diagram above. The pink is spotted on the Pyramid Spot. The apex ball of the triangle of reds is racked as close as possible to the pink without touching it.

Baulk-line and Baulk: A straight line drawn 29″ from the face of the bottom cushion and parallel to it is called the Baulk-line and the intervening space termed the Baulk.

The Half Circle: The Half Circle is a semi-circle described in Baulk with its center at the middle of the Baulk-line and with a radius of 11.5″. When the striker has cue ball in hand within the Half Circle he may place the base of the cue ball anywhere on the line or within the Half Circle, and may use his hand or any part of his cue (including the tip) to position the cue ball–as long as it is judged he is not attempting to play a stroke.

Object of the Game: To score a greater number of points than opponent.

Scoring: Points are scored in two ways: players are awarded points for fouls by the opponent (see Penalties For Fouls below), and by legally potting reds or colors. Each legally potted red ball has a point value of one; each legally potted color ball has a point value as indicated (Balls Used above). A frame ends when all balls have been potted, following the Rules of Play; if, however, only the black (7) ball is left on the table, the frame ends with the first score or foul. If the players’ scores are equal after that scoring, the black is spotted on its original position and the layers lag or draw lots for the choice of playing at, or assigning opponent to play at, the black ball with the cue ball in hand within the Half Circle, first score or foul then ends the frame.

Opening Break: Players lag or draw lots for choice of break in the opening frame. In a match format the players alternate the break in subsequent frames. Starting player has cue ball in hand within the Half Circle. He must cause the cue ball to contact a red ball. It is not necessary to send a ball to a rail or into a pocket. Failure to meet this requirement is a foul (see Penalties For Fouls) A foul is scored and–with all fouls–the incoming player has a choice of (1) accepting the table and becoming the striker, or (2) requiring the offender to break again.

Rules of Play

1. A legally potted ball entitles the striker to continue at the table until he fails to legally pot a ball.

2. On all shots, the striker must comply with the appropriate requirements of Rules of Play 5 and 6. It is not necessary to cause the cue ball or an object ball to contact a cushion or drop in a pocket after the cue ball has contacted a legal object ball (ball on). Failure to contact a legal object ball first is a foul.

3. As long as reds are on the table, the incoming striker (player taking his first stroke of an inning) always has a red as his legal object ball (ball on).

4. Any red balls potted on a legal shot are legally potted balls; the striker need not call any particular red ball(s), pocket(s) or details of how the pot will be played.

5. When the striker has a red ball as his “ball on” (legal object ball), he must cause the cue ball’s first contact to be with a red ball. Failure to do so is a foul (See Penalties For Fouls)

6. After the striker has scored a red ball initially, his next legal object is a color, and as long as reds remain on the table he must alternate his play between reds and colors (though within each group he may play a ball of his choice). When reds remain on the table and a color is his object, the striker must (a) designate prior to stroking which color ball is his object (that specific color is then his “ball on”), and (b) cause the cue ball’s first contact with a ball to be with that colored ball. If the striker fails to meet these requirements, it is a foul (See Penalties For Fouls).

7. If the striker’s ball on is a red, and he pots a color, it is a foul.

8. If the striker’s ball on is a color, and he pots any other ball, it is a foul.

9. Jump shots are illegal in International Snooker. It is a foul if the striker intentionally causes the cue ball to jump (rise from the bed of the table) by any means, if the jump is an effort to clear an obstructing ball.

10. While reds remain on the table, each potted color is spotted prior to the next stroke (see Spotting Balls below for spotting rules). After a color has been spotted, if the striker plays while that ball is incorrectly spotted (and opponent or referee calls it before two such plays have been taken), the shot taken is a foul. If the striker plays two strokes after such error without its being announced by opponent or referee, he is free of penalty and continues playing and scoring normally as though the spotting error simply had not occurred. The striker is responsible for ensuring that all balls are correctly spotted before striking. If the striker plays while a ball(s) that should be on the table is not a foul may be awarded whenever the foul is discovered during the striker’s inning. Any scoring prior to the discovery of the foul will count.

11. When no reds remain on the table, striker’s balls on become the colors, in ascending numerical order (2,3,4,5,6,7). These legally potted colors are not spotted after each is potted; they remain off the table. (The black (7) ball is an exception in the case of a tie score; see Scoring.)

Illegally Potted Ball: Reds illegally potted are not spotted; they remain off the table. Colors illegally potted are spotted. (See Spotting Balls.)

Object Balls Jumped off the Table: Reds jumped off the table are not spotted and the striker has committed a foul. Colors jumped off the table are spotted and the striker has committed a foul. (See Penalties For Fouls)

Spotting Balls: Reds are never spotted. Colors to be spotted are placed as at the start of the game. If a color’s spot is occupied (to mean that to spot it would make it touch a ball), it is placed on the spot of the highest value color that is unoccupied. If all spots are occupied, the color is spotted as close as possible to its original spot on a straight line between its spot and the nearest point on the top (foot) cushion.

Cue Ball after Jumping off the Table: Incoming player has cue ball in hand within the Half Circle. When cue ball is in hand within the Half Circle (except the opening break), there is no restriction (based on position of reds or colors) as to what balls may be played; striker may play at any ball on regardless of where it is on the table.

Touching a Ball: While balls are in play it is a foul if the striker touches any object ball or if the striker touches the cue ball with anything other than the tip during a legal stroke.

Snookered: The cue ball is snookered when a direct stroke in a straight line to any part of every ball on is obstructed by a ball or balls not on. If there is any one ball that is not so obstructed, the cue ball is not snookered. If in-hand within the Half Circle, the cue ball is snookered only if obstructed from all positions on or within the Half Circle. If the cue ball is obstructed by more than one ball, the one nearest to the cue ball is the effective snookering ball.

Angled: The cue ball is angled when a direct stroke in a straight line to any part of every ball on is obstructed by a corner of the cushion. If there is any one ball on that is not so obstructed, the cue ball is not angled. If angled after a foul the referee or player will state “Angled Ball”, and the striker has the choice to either (1) play from that position or (2) play from in hand within the Half Circle.

Occupied: A spot is said to be occupied if a ball cannot be placed on it without its touching another ball.

Touching Ball: If the cue ball is touching another ball which is, or can be, on, the referee or player shall state “Touching Ball.” Thereafter the striker must play away from it or it is a push stroke (foul). No penalty is incurred for thus playing away if (1) the ball is not on; the ball is on and the striker nominates such ball; or (3) the ball is on and the striker nominates, and first hits, another ball. [If the referee considers that a touching ball has moved through an agency other than the player, it is not a foul.]

Push Stroke: A push stroke is a foul and is made when the tip of the cue remains in contact with the cue ball (1) when the cue ball makes contact with the object ball, or (2) after the cue ball has commenced its forward motion. Provided that where the cue ball and an object ball are almost touching, it shall be deemed a legal stroke if the cue ball hits the finest possible edge of the object ball.

Miss: The striker shall to the best of his ability endeavor to hit the ball on. If the referee considers the rule infringed he shall call foul and a “miss.” The incoming player (1) may play the ball(s) as they lie, or (2) may request that the ball(s) be returned to the original position and have the offending player play the stroke again. Note: if the ball on cannot possibly be hit, the striker is judged to be attempting to hit the ball on.

Free Ball: After a foul, if the cue ball is snookered, the referee or player shall state “Free Ball.” If the non-offending layer takes the next stroke he may nominate any ball as on. For this stroke, such ball shall be regarded as, and acquire the value of, the ball on. It is a foul should the cue ball fail to first hit, or – except when only the pink and black remain on the table – be snookered by, the free ball. If the “free ball” is potted, it is spotted, and the value of the ball on is scored. if the ball on is potted it is scored. If both the “free ball” and the ball on are potted, only the value of the ball on is scored.

Fouls

If a foul is committed:

1. the player who committed the foul incurs the penalty prescribed (which is added to the opponent’s score), and has to play again if requested by the next player. Once such a request has been made it cannot be withdrawn. 2. should more than one foul be committed in the same stroke the highest value penalty shall be incurred. 3. any ball improperly spotted shall remain where positioned, except that if off the table it shall be correctly spotted.

Penalties for Fouls

The following are fouls and incur a penalty of four points or the higher one prescribed:

1. value of the ball on -

by striking:

a) when the balls are still moving from the previous shot. b) the cue ball more than once (double hit). c) without at least one foot on the floor. d) out of turn. e) improperly from in hand within the Half Circle.

by causing:

f) the cue ball to miss all object balls. g) the cue ball to enter a pocket. h) a snooker with free ball. i) a jump shot.

2. value of the ball on or ball concerned -

by causing:

a) a ball not on to enter a pocket. b) the cue ball to first hit a ball not on. c) a push stroke. d) by striking with a ball not correctly spotted. e) by touching a ball with other than the tip of the cue. f) by forcing a ball off the table.

3. value of the ball on or higher value of the two balls by causing the cue ball to hit simultaneously two balls other than two reds or a “free ball” and the ball on.

4. penalty of seven points is incurred if -

the striker

a) after potting a red commits a foul before nominating a color.

b) uses a ball off the table for any purpose.

c) plays at reds in successive strokes.

d) uses as the cue ball any ball other than the white one.

The Basics- Snooker

The basics of snooker are well known, as this popular game is played all over the world by both professionals and hobby players like James Crickmore. The game involves the use of 22 different balls on a baize-covered table. A white cue ball is used to hit the other balls into the pockets on the table. The other balls consist of 15 red balls and six balls that are all different colors. Each color corresponds with a points value; in descending order, those values are 7 points for black, 6 for pink, 5 for blue, 4 for brown, 3 for green, and 2 for yellow.

Players usually find a way to determine who is to go first; this is done traditionally with a coin toss. On the first move, the player has to cause the cue ball to connect with a red ball. If he succeeds, he continues playing and must next cause the cue ball to come into contact with one of the colored balls. He must alternate this way until the balls are all gone. If he should fail, it is the next player’s turn. When there are still red balls on the table, then players should return any potted colored balls to their original position on the table.

When the red balls are all gone from the table, then things become even more interesting for players like James Crickmore; they must then pot the lowest to highest value colored balls, in sequence, until the table is cleared. The player with the highest score at the end of the game wins.

The game may sound complex, but there are a few simple things players can do in order to improve their game exponentially. These tips usually involve adjustments to the physical stance and grip. The goal is to get to the point where the cue is always on a straight level plane with the line of the desired shot. This can only be done if a grip is relaxed but not too loose, in order to maintain control of the cue more effectively. Another thing James Crickmore tries is keeping a good stance – balance is important in order to control the shot more effectively. These and other things are all simple tips that can be used to improve a beginning player’s game.