Snooker Scoring Rules Explained
Snooker scoring rests on one alternating pattern — a red, then a colour, then a red again — and that pattern decides everything until the last red leaves the table.
What each ball is worth
| Ball | Points |
|---|---|
| Red | 1 |
| Yellow | 2 |
| Green | 3 |
| Brown | 4 |
| Blue | 5 |
| Pink | 6 |
| Black | 7 |
The alternating sequence
- Pot a red (1 point). It stays down.
- Nominate and pot any colour. It is returned to its spot.
- Repeat until no reds remain on the table.
- Then clear the colours in strict order: yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, black.
Fouls and what they give away
A foul awards points to the opponent: a minimum of 4, or the value of the ball involved if that is higher. So fouling on the black gives away 7, while missing the object ball entirely gives away 4.
The maximum break
147. Fifteen reds each followed by the black (15 × 8 = 120), then the six colours in sequence (2+3+4+5+6+7 = 27). It requires the black to be pottable and returnable fifteen times in a row, which is why it stays one of the rarest feats in the sport.
Frequently asked questions
Both count — you score 2 and continue with a colour. Potting extra reds is legal; potting an extra colour is not.
When the points still on the table are fewer than the deficit, the frame is mathematically lost and players usually shake hands rather than play it out.