Snooker

Snooker, table game for two players (sometimes four) using cues and 22 balls.
It derives from billiards and other similar games, and is played on a full-sized billiards table with six pockets. The 22 balls comprise 15 reds, six colours and the white cue ball. The reds are placed on the table in a triangular frame so that the base of the frame is parallel with and nearest to the top cushion and the apex is as near to the pink ball as possible without touching it. The black ball goes on the billiards spot (red spot in billiards), pink on the pyramid spot, blue on the centre spot, brown on the middle spot on the baulk line, green on the left-hand corner of the D, and yellow on the right-hand corner.
The white cue ball is used alternately by both players and can be placed anywhere in the D for the opening stroke of the game; from that point onwards it is played from where it comes to rest. A game is known as a frame after the frame used to position the red balls. Points are scored in two distinct ways: by potting balls into the table's six pockets, and by penalties. Each player must initially strike a red ball. When a player succeeds in potting a red (value one point) he must then play at a colour. Colours have the following values: black, 7; pink, 6; blue, 5; brown, 4; green, 3; yellow, 2. If the nominated colour is potted it is replaced on its own spot before another red is attempted, and so on, alternating reds and colours until all the reds have been potted. The colours are then taken in ascending numerical value—yellow first, black last, until only the cue ball is on the table. The compilation of a sequence of pots is called a break. A player forfeits his place at the table only when he has failed to pot a ball or has committed a foul in doing so. Failure to strike a red when that is the object ball has a penalty of four points (the minimum for any foul stroke) but the penalty points incurred increase to five, six, or seven if, instead of a red, the cue ball makes initial contact with blue, pink, or black. An “in-off” carries a four-point penalty, or more if the ball which the cue ball initially struck before falling into a pocket is of a higher value. Following an in-off, the other player (the recipient of the penalty points) may place the cue ball anywhere in the D. Failure to hit a nominated colour also has a four-point penalty, or more if the ball involved is of higher value. Thus, if pink is nominated but black is struck the penalty is 7, the maximum.
The majority of points are obtained by potting; some from the penalties mentioned. Penalties often result from carefully laid snookers. A snooker occurs when the balls are so placed that a player cannot strike the ball he is due to play without first hitting a cushion (the cushioned edge of the table) or making the cue ball swerve. Snookers often occur through skilful safety shots.