Billiard players have been promised a new game called “Snookers”
Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore), Friday 10 October 1884
A NEW GAME OF BILLIARDS.
Billiard players have been promised a new game called “Snookers” which, we are assured, is to supplant Pyramids and Pool ere long. The rules are given below: —
1—It May be played by any number of players. Any one wishing to join after the commencement of the game may do so at the end of around, but does not play until last. Any player wishing to leave off during the game must declare his intention of doing so in lieu of playing, when it shall be his turn to play, but shall be counted as a player until another round be played.
2—15 Red balls are placed on the table as in “Pyramids” and four “coloured” balls shall be placed, thus: the yellow ball on the centre spot of the D, the brown ball on the centre spot, the green ball on the pyramid spot at the apex of the triangle of red balls and the blue on the billiard spot. The player plays with the White ball and from the D, when in hand. The value of the balls shall be: —Red 1, Yellow 2, Green 3, Brown 4, Blue 5.
3—The player must first play at a Red ball, and may not play at a coloured ball until he shall have first pocketed a red ball. He may play at any number of red balls in succession, but after taking a coloured ball shall again play on and take a red ball before he can again play on a coloured ball.
4—A player having taken a red ball and then pocketed a coloured ball must replace it on the spot it was originally placed on, before playing another stroke. For every coloured ball not re-placed each player shall pay a penalty of 1 point for each stroke made by him, until such bail he replaced.
5—The player is responsible that all the balls are in their proper places before he plays. He is liable to a penalty of 1 point for every ball not in its right place previous to each stroke. The player may be called upon to replace any balls not in its right place.
6—When all the red balls are off the table, the coloured balls shall be played at according to their value. (See, Rule 2.)
7—For each balls taken by the striker he shall receive its value from each player; all forfeits having been first deducted, and if he has incurred any penalties pay their value to each player.
8—If the striker shall hit one or more balls and then pocket his own ball, he shall pay the value of the highest ball touched by his ball, and shall forfeit any points be may have gained during that stroke.
9—If a player shall pocket a ball and then cannon on to one or more coloured balls and pocket them, he shall receive the value of the ball he originally played at, and shall pay the value of the highest coloured ball he may have pocketed in the same stroke. This does not apply in the case of red balls, any number of which may be pocketed in the same stroke.
10—A red ball may be planted by a coloured ball, and if such coloured ball be also pocketed, it shall count, provided the player was entitled to play at that coloured ball. Only the coloured ball aimed at may be taken. It counts even if it goes in off other balls, only one coloured ball may be taken at the same stroke.
11—No ball may be temporarily taken up.
12—The striker need not deciare which ball he wishes to hit.
13—If the white ball be touching a coloured ball the striker cannot score, he must play his stroke and shall be liable to any penalties incurred.
14—If more than one error be committed in the same stroke, the highest penalty only shall be exacted. Penalties shall not hold good after one complete round shall have been played
15—If in taking aim a player causes his ball to strike another ball even without intending to make a stroke, if shall count as a stroke.
16—If a player forces a ball off the table, he shall pay the value of that ball, or in the case of the white ball as if he had run in.
17—For making a foul stroke, or fouling another ball, a player cannot score, but is liable to any penalties he may incur.
18—For making a miss or making a miss and running in, the striker shall pay this value of the ball missed.
19—For hitting a wrong ball the striker shall pay the value of the ball hit unless he be liable to a higher penalty for missing the ball he should have played at.
20—For playing out of turn the striker shall pay 1 point to each player besides any penalties incurred, but shall not receive any points he may have won.
21—A penalty of one point shall be incurred if the player use any part of his cue except the tip.
22—The striker cannot score anything by a foul stroke, and shall not continue to play. Fouls are made thus. 1. By striking a ball twice with the cue; 2. By touching any ball with the hand, etc, or any part of the dress whether the ball touched be moved or not; 3. By playing with the wrong ball; 4. By lifting both feet from the floor when playing. The striker must pay the value of any ball he may foul except the White. A foul stroke must be claimed before the stroke is completed and the balls have stopped rolling.
23—When it is required to replace a coloured ball and its spot Is occupied, it is to be placed on the nearest unoccupied spot. In the case of the brown, if the green and yellow spots are vacant it is to be put on the green spot. If all the spots are occupied then as near as possible to its own spot in the direction of the top of the table.
24—Differences of opinion are to be decided by the wish of the majority of the players, excluding the player most interested. If the votes are equal the matter to be decided by a single toss.