So, you’ve seen the massive green table, the rainbow of balls, and players in waistcoats looking incredibly focused. You’re ready to graduate from casual pool to the "Gentleman’s Game."

Snooker is essentially chess with a stick—it’s about strategy, precision, and occasionally making your opponent want to pull their hair out. Let’s dive deep into the mechanics and the "fun" of the game!

1. The Colourful Cast of Characters

Before you start swinging, you need to know who’s who. In snooker, every ball has a "price tag" (points). Understanding their value is the key to building a high score (a "break").

 ⊙ The Reds (15 of them): 1 Point each. They are the "pawn" of the game.

 ⊙ Yellow: 2 Points

 ⊙ Green: 3 Points

 ⊙ Brown: 4 Points

 ⊙ Blue: 5 Points

 ⊙ Pink: 6 Points

 ⊙ Black: 7 Points (Max points!) 

2. Setting the Battlefield

A snooker table is significantly larger than a pool table (usually 12ft x 6ft), and the pockets are curved and tighter. Accuracy is everything!

• The Red Fortress: Pack the 15 Reds into a tight triangle. Place the tip of the triangle on the "Pyramid Spot."

• The Pink Protector: The Pink ball should touch the very tip of the Red triangle without moving the Reds.

• The Black Base: The Black sits on its own spot midway between the back of the Reds and the bottom cushion.

• The Blue Hub: Takes centre stage exactly in the middle of the table.

• The "Baulk Line" (The D): On the opposite end, the Brown is in the centre of the line, with the Yellow to its right and the Green to its left.

3. The Rhythm of the Game: "Red-Colour-Red"

This is the heart of the game. Think of it like a dance routine that rewards you for staying in rhythm.

Phase A: The Open Game

1. The Opening Break: You must hit a Red first. Unlike pool, you don't want to smash them everywhere; you want to nudge them gently while leaving the white ball in a "safe" spot.

2. The Combo: If you pot a Red (1 pt), you get a "reward shot." Now you can aim for any coloured ball.

3. The Respawn: If you pot that colour, you get the points, but the ball is pulled back out and placed back on its original spot.

4. The Loop: Now, you must go back to a Red. You repeat this (Red → Colour → Red → Colour) until all the Reds are gone.

Phase B: Clearing the Colours

Once the last Red is gone (and you've taken your final "reward" colour), the colours must be potted in ascending order of value:

1. Yellow (2) ➡️ 2. Green (3) ➡️ 3. Brown (4) ➡️ 4. Blue (5) ➡️ 5. Pink (6) ➡️ 6. Black (7).
   In this phase, the colours stay in the pockets!

4. Don't Be "That Guy": Navigating Fouls

Snooker is a game of manners... and strict rules. If you commit a foul, your opponent gets penalty points (minimum 4 points, but if you foul on a higher-value ball, they get that ball's value).

• The "Oops" Shot: Hitting the wrong ball first (e.g., hitting the Blue when a Red was "on").

• The "Pocket Rocket": Sinking the white Cue Ball (this is a "scratch").

• The "Airball": Missing all the balls entirely (very embarrassing!).

• The "Jump": Hitting the ball so it leaves the table (save the trick shots for the movies!).

• Push Shot: If the cue tip stays in contact with the white ball for too long (a "push"), it’s a foul.

5. Master the "Snooker" (The Ninja Move)

The game is named Snooker because of this specific tactic. You "snooker" your opponent when you leave the white ball in a spot where they cannot hit the ball they are supposed to in a straight line.

Example: You hide the cue ball behind the Green ball so your opponent can't see the Reds. They have to bounce the ball off the side cushions to try and hit a Red. If they miss, you get penalty points and control of the table!

6. Pro Tips for Beginner Legends

• The "Open Bridge": Keep your hand flat on the table, spread your fingers, and lift your thumb to create a groove. This is your "guideway."

• The Stance: Keep your dominant leg straight and your other leg slightly bent. Lean forward so your chin is almost touching the cue. This gives you a "sniper-like" view of the shot.

• Think Two Steps Ahead: A master doesn't just look at the ball they are hitting. They use "side-spin" or "backspin" (hitting the white ball off-center) to make sure the white ball stops in the perfect spot for their next shot.

How to Win:

The game ends when the last ball (The Black) is potted. Add up your score—the person with the most points wins! If the scores are tied, the Black is put back on its spot for a "respotted black" sudden-death shootout.