Regras da Sinuca Brasileira.

Brazilian Billiards and Snooker Confederation. Approved March 13, 1999

Translated into English by Cristiane B.
Edited by Dean Howell

As a complementary modality, the use of these rules is optional for intermediate categories and prohibited for application in events for the minor, junior, infant, juvenile, and equivalent categories, as well as for higher categories at each locality, municipality, state, and/or national level.

When used officially, these and other complementary modalities must have their rankings and controls, and their use is prohibited in any involvement with the official international rules.

These Brazilian Snooker Rules are complemented by the Brazilian Snooker Regulations and the Referee Norms, where applicable. Reading and integrating these are necessary and important.

Article 1 – THE GAME AND MATCHES

1. Matches will involve two or more players, using one white cue-ball and seven coloured balls worth the following points: red 1; yellow 2; green 3; brown 4; blue 5; pink 6; and black 7.
2. The ball with the lowest value in play will always be considered the “ball on,” while the others are referred to as “numbered balls.”
3. The objective of the match is to pot all the coloured balls in ascending order while following the rules, using the cue-ball propelled by a shot from the cue tip.
4. A match consists of the time taken by the players to pot all the coloured balls in play, following the rules. A predetermined number of matches constitutes a game.
5. A predetermined set of matches constitutes a game.
6. Each shot may begin with the ball on, which in a normal play is always free from “penalty,” or with a numbered ball subject to a “penalty” (risk of losing points) of 7 points if not potted.
7. If a numbered ball is potted at the beginning of a shot, the player must then continue with the ball on. Upon potting the ball on, the player is required to play offensively on a free-numbered ball (“penalty” free). If the numbered ball is potted, the player may optionally play another free numbered ball, which must also be played offensively and is subject to a penalty of 7 points if not potted. Upon potting it, the player must return to the ball on, and this sequence continues until the match ends.
8. Except for the ball on correctly potted, any potted ball will be returned to its spot, whether numbered or otherwise, immediately after the ball on. Balls forced off the table or potted during a foul will also be returned to their respective spots, including the ball on.
9. If the ball on is potted and followed by the next higher-value ball, the latter will be considered as a numbered ball if potted, or as the ball on if not potted or played defensively.

Article 2 – THE FRAME

1. For the frame, balls 1 through 7 are placed on their respective spots. The cue-ball is considered “in hand” and can be placed anywhere within or on the semicircle “D.”
2. The first frame of a game is determined by a coin toss, and the winner chooses which player will break. Breaks for subsequent matches alternate between players.
3. During the break, the player must aim at ball 1 and repeat as many times as necessary if:
   a. It is potted.
   b. A foul is committed.
   c. The cue-ball cannot hit ball 1 on both sides before contacting another ball or cushion.
4. In scenario (c), the opponent has the option to take their shot to continue the match.
5. If the same player repeats the break without alternating, and this error is identified before the second shot is taken, the match will be restarted without penalties. If the error is identified after the opponent has played, the match and the break are validated, and future breaks alternate accordingly.

Article 3 – SNOOKERED

1. A player is in a snookered position when they are unable to strike a full point of the intended ball naturally, due to obstruction by another ball(s) or the cushion edge. A partial snooker occurs when only part of the intended ball is accessible.
2. A valid snooker position must result from a shot without a foul on the ball on, except during the break.

Article 4 – PASSING A TURN

1. A player entitled to take a shot may decline to play, “passing” the turn to their opponent, after the opponent has:
   a. Committed a foul.
   b. Played any numbered ball without potting it.

Article 5 – CALLING SHOTS

1. Before taking non-obvious shots, the player must call the intended ball and pocket.
2. The player must also call shots involving cushions that will alter the path of the cue-ball before it contacts the intended ball, but without specifying the number of cushion contacts.
3. Obvious shots do not need to be called.
4. A shot is deemed obvious only if it is clearly directed and no other balls are near or aligned in the same direction.
5. The referee has the sole discretion to determine if a shot is obvious. When necessary, the referee may request clarification from the player regarding the called shot.
6. Shots using cushions to redirect the cue-ball before contacting the intended ball are never considered obvious.
7. Any shot on the ball on that is non-obvious and not called will be considered a defensive play.
8. Clearly obvious shots mistakenly called incorrectly regarding the ball or pocket will still be considered valid and normal if the player’s intent is evident.
9. Before taking their shot, the player may change their call at any time. They may also ask the referee if the cue-ball is “frozen” to another ball, and the referee must inform them.
10. When the cue-ball is in hand (e.g. after being returned to play), its placement is limited to within or on the “D” semicircle. The player may adjust its position and change their call as often as they wish before taking their shot. This option remains valid if the turn is passed to the opponent.

Article 6 – RETURNING BALLS TO THE TABLE

1. If a ball’s spot is occupied, it will be placed on the highest unoccupied valued spot. If all spots are occupied, it will be placed in the neutral zone.
2. The neutral zone is assumed to be on the arc of the “D” semicircle, aligned with the longitudinal centre line of the table.
3. When multiple balls are returned to play simultaneously, higher-value balls take precedence in placement.
4. Balls that return to the table on their own impulse after being potted will not count as potted.
5. If a ball is placed on the wrong spot or off its spot, and the mistake is discovered after the subsequent shot or at the start of the match, the ball will remain in its incorrect position without penalties.
6. If a ball is moved due to contact during a foul, it will remain in its new position, and the appropriate penalty will be applied. If the movement occurs without a foul (e.g. by wind, objects, referee, or others) and no shot was taken, the ball will remain in its new position without penalty, and play will resume as normal.
7. If a ball frozen to the cue-ball moves unintentionally during the shot due to table imperfections or cloth defects, no foul will be called.
8. If a ball hanging near a pocket falls into the pocket after some time with no external interference, the following applies:
   a. If the opponent has not touched the table, the ball will count for the player who took the prior shot, and they continue as normal or incur a penalty if applicable.
   b. If the opponent touched the table or took a shot, the ball will be returned to its spot without penalty, and the opponent continues.
   c. If the opponent begins their shot and the ball falls before the cue-ball touches it, the opponent incurs a foul.

Article 7 – FOULS

1. The following situations are considered fouls:

a. Potting the cue-ball (“scratching”).

b. Intentionally playing a numbered ball defensively (disciplinary foul).

c. Intentionally committing a foul with any ball (disciplinary foul).

d. Striking the cue-ball more than once (“double hit”).

e. “Dragging” the cue-ball with the cue unless frozen to the target ball.

f. Playing any ball out of bounds.

g. Playing with the wrong ball.

h. Playing before the referee has returned the ball to play.

i. Using any part of the cue other than its tip.

j. Playing without maintaining contact with the floor.

k. Playing while any ball is still moving.

l. Playing the cue-ball outside the “D” when it is in hand.

m. Potting an unplayed ball.

n. Potting two or more balls in one shot.

o. Potting the ball on while aiming at a numbered ball, or vice versa.

p. Potting the ball in a pocket other than the called or obvious one.

q. Failing to pot a numbered ball subject to a penalty when played optionally.

r. Jumping the cue-ball over another ball, except the intended ball.

s. Failing to strike the target ball first unless a cushion is called.

t. Failing to call the ball, pocket, or cushion use on non-obvious shots.

u. Touching any ball in an improper manner.

v. Committing disciplinary acts as defined in the regulations.

w. Committing grave misconduct as defined in the regulations.

2. If no other foul occurs, there will be no penalty for a ball that moves along the table cushion and returns to the playing field without external interference. However, if the ball falls into a pocket or off the table, it will constitute a foul.

Article 8 – PENALTIES

1. The following penalties apply:
   a. For any foul:
   I. The player loses their turn.
   II. The opponent is awarded 7 points.
   III. The opponent may “pass” the turn back to the penalized player.
   b. For a disciplinary foul:
   I. On the first offense, the act is treated as a technical foul, with a formal warning.
   II. On repeated offenses, the player loses the game.
   c. For a grave misconduct foul:
   I. The player loses the game.
2. The referee may issue an informal warning without applying penalties if they deem it appropriate.
3. When the maximum penalty (game loss) is applied, previously completed and validly won matches are counted, provided the opponent has reached the minimum number of victories required to win the game.
4. Disciplinary or grave fouls may incur penalties independently of other in-game fouls, and these can be cumulative.

Article 9 – END OF A MATCH

1. A match concludes when:
   A. Ball 7 is definitively potted, with one player having an advantage.
   B. A player concedes the match.
   C. A player commits a second disciplinary foul or a grave misconduct foul.
   D. The point difference between players exceeds the “maximum allowed points,” which are:
   I. 46 points with ball 5 as the ball on.
   II. 27 points with ball 6 as the ball on.
   III. 7 points with ball 7 as the ball on.
   a. If the point difference in (D) results from the opponent’s foul, the winning player is not required to continue the match.
   b. If the situation in (D) occurs due to the advantaged player’s actions, and their lead is less than 8 points, they must continue their turn until the lead exceeds 8 points or their turn ends.
2. At the end of a match, certain actions—such as putting the cue away, touching balls in play, removing balls from pockets, congratulating the opponent, or leaving the playing area—constitute conceding the match under condition (B).
3. When the ball on is valued at 4 or less, the match does not end due to a point difference.
4. If a match ends in a tie, it will be decided by potting ball 7 only, referred to as a “complementary match,” as specified in the regulations.

Article 10 – END OF A GAME

1. A game ends when one player:

• Achieves the minimum number of victories required to win.
• Declares themselves defeated.
• Commits a second disciplinary foul or a grave misconduct foul.
• Is disqualified.

Goiânia – GO, March 13 1999
Brazilian Billiard and Snooker Confederation

You can download the original text of the rules in Brazilian Portuguese here:

Regras da Sinuca Brasileira. Brazilian Portuguese. Aprovadas em 13 de março de 1999

And here’s the text of the rules in English:

Regras da Sinuca Brasileira. English. Aprovadas em 13 de março de 1999