The snooker table is a precisely engineered playing surface measuring 12 feet in length and 6 feet in width. It features six pockets positioned at each corner and at the middle of both long sides. The table holds 21 balls in total: 15 red balls arranged in a triangular formation, and 6 colored balls - yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, and black - each positioned at specific locations on the table according to official snooker regulations.
Snooker follows a specific sequence of play. Players must alternate between potting red balls, worth 1 point each, and colored balls worth 2 to 7 points. After potting a red ball, the player must attempt a colored ball, which is then returned to its spot. Once all reds are potted, players must pot the colored balls in ascending order of value. Common fouls include potting the cue ball, hitting the wrong ball first, or failing to hit any ball. Each foul awards points to the opponent and may result in additional penalties.
Cue ball control is the foundation of advanced snooker play. By varying where and how you strike the cue ball, you can create different types of spin. Top spin makes the cue ball follow through after contact, while back spin causes it to screw back towards you. Side spin, or english, curves the cue ball's path left or right. A stun shot with no spin stops the cue ball dead upon contact. Mastering these techniques allows players to position the cue ball precisely for their next shot, enabling them to build substantial breaks and maintain control of the table.
Strategic shot selection is what separates amateur players from professionals. Every shot presents multiple options, and choosing the right one requires careful analysis. Safety play involves leaving your opponent in a difficult position, often snookered behind other balls with no clear shot. Break building requires planning several shots ahead, positioning the cue ball perfectly for each subsequent pot. Players must constantly assess risk versus reward - a difficult pot might score points but leave you out of position, while a safer option maintains control. Table management involves controlling the pace of the game and choosing when to attack aggressively versus when to play defensively.
Advanced snooker techniques require exceptional skill and years of practice to master. Plant shots involve using one ball to knock another into a pocket, requiring precise angle calculation. Cannons use the cue ball to hit multiple balls in sequence for positional advantage. Century breaks, scoring 100 or more points in a single visit to the table, demonstrate sustained excellence. The maximum break of 147 points represents perfection - potting all 15 reds with blacks, followed by all colors in order. Beyond technical skills, professional players must master pressure management and match psychology, maintaining focus during crucial moments and reading their opponent's mental state. These advanced elements transform snooker from a simple potting game into a complex strategic battle.