Sinuca Mista

Published:
2 March 2025
Original:
10 November 2012

Confederação Brasileira de Bilhar e Sinuca. São Paulo, 10 de novembro de 2012

Translation into English by Cristiane B.

BRAZILIAN CONFEDERATION OF BILLIARDS AND SNOOKER

BRAZILIAN MIXED SNOOKER

These rules adhere to national standards and are supplemented by the Regulations of Billiards Sports, whose integration and understanding are mandatory, and whose concepts must be adopted.

TITLE I – OF THE MATCH AND GAME

Article 1 – Definitions concerning game, match, action and duration of action, shot and continuous shot, table layout and playing surface, as well as other items not addressed herein, shall adhere to the Regulations of Billiards Sports.

Two or more players play matches, either individually or in teams, using ten, thirteen, or seventeen balls, consisting of:
one white ball called the “tacadeira” and nine, twelve, or sixteen balls identified as “colored” and/or “ball in play,” with values determined according to their colors, as follows:
1. Three, six, or ten red balls, each worth 1 point; one yellow ball, 2 points; one green ball, 3 points; one brown ball, 4 points; one blue ball, 5 points; one pink ball, 6 points; one black ball, 7 points; and
1. The number of red balls to be used is determined by the event regulations.

Article 2 – The objective of the match is to pot the ball in play and the colored balls in ascending order of their values, in accordance with the rules, using the impetus generated by the cue ball struck by the tip of the cue.

Article 3 – The ball of the lowest value in play is designated as the “ball in play,” and the remaining balls are called “colored balls.”

Article 4 – A colored ball that, following a foul which creates a specific situation for the opponent, is designated (by means of an additional option) and played as if it were the ball in play—with the same value and conditions—is known as a “free ball.”

Article 5 – The ball in play, the free ball, and/or the colored balls may be played either offensively or defensively in a legal shot.

Article 6 – After a red ball is potted and when aiming for the next colored ball, except when playing a free ball, that colored ball may become the first obstacle, creating a snooker situation for the opponent.

Article 7 – The rules allow the following scores to be achieved during a match:

In a single continuous shot initiated by the ball in play, according to the respective number of red balls:

a) 51 points using 3 red balls;

b) 75 points using 6 red balls;

c) 107 points using 10 red balls;

d) 147 points using 15 red balls.

In normal play, according to the specific “ball in play” on the table:

a) “Ball 6,” 13 points;

b) “Ball 5,” 18 points;

c) “Ball 4,” 22 points;

d) “Ball 3,” 25 points;

e) “Ball 2,” 27 points;

f) “Ball 1,” 35 points; and

g) for each additional red ball, 8 extra points.

Article 8 – Once a shot is initiated targeting a free ball, up to eight (8) additional points may be obtained beyond the maximum totals indicated in the previous article.

TITLE II – OF BRAZILIAN SNOOKER

Article 9 – A snooker situation exists when the cue ball cannot be propelled in a direct and natural line—such that it could first graze both sides of the ball in play (or another obligatorily targeted ball)—because it is obstructed by one or more balls that are not the ball in play and/or by cushion “edges” of the table.

The snooker situation is classified as:

a) “Total” – when there is a complete obstruction preventing the cue ball from directly and naturally reaching any part of the ball in play (or any other obligatorily targeted ball);

b) “Partial” – when the ball in play (or any other obligatorily targeted ball) can be reached by a direct and natural shot, even if only at one point.

Total or partial snooker is recognized when it is caused by a legal shot on the ball in play—even though colored balls may be played in either attack or defense.
Except when only balls 6 and 7 remain in play, a colored ball played as a free ball may not be used as the first obstacle in a snooker situation for the opponent’s shot, even if accidental. If this occurs, it is penalized as a technical foul, with a variable penalty.

The “first obstacle” in a snooker situation (in the natural path of the cue ball) is defined as the first ball or cushion encountered between the cue ball and the targeted ball.

Article 10 – The ball in play (when red) and/or the boundary markers of the playing area, excluding the cushions, are not considered obstacles when evaluating a snooker situation.

Article 11 – Taking into account mitigating factors proportional to the difficulties presented, failure to successfully escape a snooker situation may result in an additional disciplinary penalty if it is clearly determined that the player did not correctly apply the available and expected technical skills.

TITLE III – OF BALL MOVEMENT

Article 12 – Every shot is initiated by the ball in play.

Once a red ball is potted, the same shot must continue by targeting a colored ball. When that colored ball is potted, play proceeds in this successive manner;
when no red balls remain in play, the remaining balls must be targeted and potted in ascending numerical order.

Article 13 – The return of balls to play is governed by the following:

A colored ball potted immediately after a red ball is returned to play at its designated spot.
1. Colored balls potted legally and in obligatory ascending numerical sequence—starting with ball 2 and onward—do not return to play.
1. Balls sent off the table or potted on a foul are returned to play, except for red balls (subject to exceptions).
1. A red ball potted last and followed by ball 2 is considered:
  1. as colored if potted; or
  1. as the ball in play if not converted.

Article 14 – The conversion (potting) of the ball in play, whether red or not, and/or a free ball is legal when potted either individually or simultaneously on a shot targeting the ball in play or free ball—even if a transfer of movement occurs between the targeted ball and the potted ball via other balls.

Article 15 – The player is awarded one (1) point for each ball potted legally and simultaneously (whether red and/or a free ball of equal value). No points are awarded for the free ball when it is potted in conjunction with the ball in play.

Article 16 – A red ball does not return to play even if disqualified due to a foul, except when it must be re-spotted in its previous position for a re-shot in special situations. When potted, the free ball is returned to play.

TITLE IV – OF BREAK-OFFS

Article 17 – For the break-off, balls numbered 2 through 7 are placed on their respective spots;

arranged together in a triangular formation, three, six, or ten red balls are placed between balls 6 and 7 at their spots;
the apex and the center of the base of the triangle are aligned with the long side of the table, with the apex ball positioned very close to ball 6, without touching it;
the cue ball is considered “in hand” and may be placed within the area delimited by the semicircle “D” or on its line;
the initial shot may be executed either offensively or defensively;
when using three red balls, optionally and as determined by the event regulations, the triangular formation may be altered—with the two base balls still touching the apex ball and separated by a distance equal to one ball’s diameter—forming a “delta” shape.

Article 18 – The break-off for the first match is determined by a draw; the winner of the draw may choose either to play or to transfer the break without the right of refusal. Subsequent matches alternate the break-off.

Article 19 – Respecting and adapting the relevant rules, the decision for the break-off in a “complementary match” (used as a tiebreaker) is also determined by draw under the same system and conditions as a regular break-off, with the previous sequence remaining unchanged.

TITLE V – OF THE IDENTIFICATION OF SHOTS

Article 20 – The shot must be identified by a prior call of the targeted ball, whether colored and/or free, except when it is evident or obligatorily targeted.

Article 21 – It is not necessary to call a deviation in the direction of the cue ball—caused by contact with the table cushions—in order to subsequently and initially hit the targeted ball.

Article 22 – In the absence of a foul, the potting of the targeted ball in any pocket is legal.

TITLE VI – OF THE “STUCK” BALL

Article 23 – If the movement of the cue ball is interrupted and it remains “stuck” to another ball, the following is required:

Either a normal subsequent shot targeting any ball other than the one stuck to the cue ball; or
a special subsequent shot if the stuck ball is designated as the targeted ball, when:
it is considered that the stuck ball has already been “touched”; and
the cue ball must be propelled in a direction that does not impart a direct impulse on the stuck ball.

Article 24 – A “stuck ball” is considered to exist when confirmed by the referee or an appointed official.

Article 25 – Upon request, the referee must inform the players whether the cue ball is stuck to another ball.

TITLE VII – OF THE FREE BALL

Article 26 – Whether or not a snooker situation originally existed, after any foul, if the resulting position places the opponent in snooker, then—in addition to the benefit arising from the foul being treated as a technical foul—the opponent is granted the additional option to play a free ball.

In such cases, the referee shall announce “foul and free ball.”
The opponent’s response is then awaited, and they may choose to:
1. Play the ball in play;
1. designate, select, and play a colored ball as a “free ball”; or
1. pass the shot without the right to refuse.
Regardless of the resulting situation—whether a snooker exists or not—the opponent is granted the additional option to target a free ball when the foul results from the cue ball’s failure to contact the targeted ball.
The unequivocal determination of intent in a foul due to lack of contact with the targeted ball further penalizes the offender with a disciplinary foul.

TITLE VIII – OF THE RETURN AND POSITIONING OF BALLS

Article 27 – Subject to the exception for re-spotting to the original position, a ball returning to play is placed on its designated spot without contacting any other ball. If placement is impossible due to obstruction by other balls, it is re-spotted at the free spot of another ball of higher value.

Article 28 – If all designated spots are obstructed, wholly or partially, the returning ball is placed at the closest possible point to its own spot, toward the top cushion without contacting any other ball, and:

On the long side of the table when the ball is 4, 5, 6, or 7; and
On a line parallel to the long side, coinciding with its designated spot, when the ball is 2 or 3.

Article 29 – If placement according to the previous articles is impossible due to lack of space or table obstruction, the same procedure is adopted with the direction reversed.

Article 30 – If two or more balls return to play simultaneously, preference is given to the ball of higher value.

TITLE IX – OF POST-FOUL OPTIONS

Article 31 – After any foul:

The opponent is awarded penalty points equal to the value specified for the foul.
The player who committed the foul loses the right to continue play.
The advantaged player may either play normally or, if the situation permits, opt to play a free ball.
The advantaged player may also refuse to take action, thereby obliging the fouling player to play.
An additional penalty is applied if applicable.

Article 32 – If the foul results in a snooker situation or is due to the absence of contact with the targeted ball:

The referee informs the advantaged player of the additional option to play a free ball; and
the advantaged player has the additional option to choose and designate a colored ball to target as a free ball and then play a defensive or offensive shot in accordance with the specific rules.

Article 33 – When a colored ball played as a free ball is potted, it is awarded a point value equal to that of the ball in play, and:

If the ball in play is red, it is followed by a colored ball—which may be the same one previously played as a free ball; or
If the ball in play is ball 2 or of higher value, the shot continues with the ball in play.

Article 34 – Except when only the cue ball and balls 6 and 7 remain in play, a snooker situation in which—even if accidentally—the first obstacle is the colored ball played as a free ball (by option following a foul that resulted in a snooker) is penalized as a technical foul, with a variable penalty.

TITLE X – OF PENALTIES

Article 35 – In addition to the provisions that follow, the imposition of a foul penalty is subject to additional penalties and/or aggravating circumstances as provided for in the Regulations of Billiards Sports and the pertinent legislation.

Article 36 – The penalty for a technical foul with a variable sanction is the greater of 4 (four) points or the higher value between:

The value of the targeted ball in the shot that resulted in the foul; or
the equivalent value of the highest-valued ball involved in the penalized foul.

Article 37 – A technical foul carries a maximum penalty of 7 (seven) points.

Article 38 – The penalties for a disciplinary foul are:

On the first occurrence, 7 (seven) points (treated as a warning);
on recurrence, 7 (seven) points plus disqualification from the match.

Article 39 – A serious disciplinary foul carries a penalty of 7 (seven) points and disqualification with loss of the match.

Article 40 – The ball of highest value involved in a shot is identified by the first contact of the cue ball, unless a subsequent contact results in another foul that is penalized with a higher value.

TITLE XI – OF FOULS

Article 41 – The following technical fouls are subject to variable penalties:

Potting the cue ball (“self-screw”);
making more than one contact with the cue ball (“double-hit”);
dragging the cue ball (“carretão”);
improperly touching or moving a ball that is stuck to the cue ball;
improperly touching any ball;
playing while a ball is still in motion or before it has been re-spotted;
playing with any part of the cue other than the tip;
playing without maintaining contact with the floor;
playing with the cue ball outside of the “D” (semicircular area) during the break-off or after being in hand;
accidentally sending a ball off the table;
accidentally causing the cue ball to jump over any ball, except when it first contacts the targeted ball;
potting two or more balls on the same shot or potting a non-targeted ball, except when involving red balls or playing a free ball together with the ball in play;
potting the ball in play when playing a colored ball, or vice versa;
failing to hit the targeted ball first (disregarding any prior cushion contact), except when red balls are involved;
simultaneously contacting two or more balls, except when they are red and/or the free ball and the ball in play;
creating a snooker for the opponent by having the free ball played as the first obstacle;
failing to call the targeted colored ball or the free ball, except in cases of evident exceptions; and
committing any other fouls provided for in the Regulations of Billiards Sports and relevant legislation.

Article 42 – The following technical fouls carry a maximum penalty:

Playing the ball in play or a colored ball out of the mandatory sequence;
playing with the wrong ball;
committing a foul by failing to call or indicate the colored ball to be played after potting a red ball;
committing a foul on the shot following the confirmation of a total snooker in such a manner as to prevent a normal and legal shot.

Article 43 – The following are considered serious and/or disciplinary fouls, carrying the maximum penalty:

Intentionally committing a foul;
intentionally causing a ball to jump;
using the balls for any purpose other than legal play;
taking excessive time—beyond the normal average—in the evaluation and/or execution of a shot; and
committing other unsportsmanlike actions as provided for in the Regulations of Billiards Sports and relevant sports legislation.

TITLE XII – OF MATCH CONCLUSION

Article 44 – A match is concluded when:

Ball 7 is definitively potted with a scoring advantage, or ball 6 is definitively potted resulting in a lead exceeding 7 points;
only the cue ball and the respective balls remain in play, and the point difference reaches values greater than:
1. 25 points, if ball 5 is the ball in play;
1. 20 points, if ball 6 is the ball in play; or
1. 7 points, if ball 7 is the ball in play;
or when one of the players concedes defeat in the match.

Article 45 – If the situation described in clause 2 of Article 44 is reached by awarding points for an opponent’s foul—or even without a foul—at the end of the opponent’s action while they are at a disadvantage, the match shall be declared over by the referee. If that situation is reached by awarding points during or at the end of the action by the player holding the advantage, then:

The continuation of the player’s break is not mandatory once they have achieved the necessary point advantage for victory;
if the player chooses to continue their break (aiming to score points from remaining balls for the total break and match score), any technical foul committed during the continuation will be penalized. The decision to conclude or continue the match will be determined based on whether the point difference remains within the acceptable range after the points from that technical foul are awarded to the opponent.

Article 46 – When only the cue ball and ball 7 remain in play:

If the point difference is exactly 7 points, the match is considered drawn and is concluded if the disadvantaged player legally pots ball 7 or benefits from an opponent’s foul; and
if the point difference is less than 7 or zero, any foul results in the defeat of the offending player.

Article 47 – If the match concludes with an equal score, the winner is determined by a “complementary match,” during which ball 7 is re-spotted at its designated position and the cue ball is placed “in hand.”

Article 48 – A situation is considered a “deadlock” if a third shot by either player does not alter the game situation. When such a deadlock is imminent:

The referee alerts the players regarding the condition;
the subsequent shot must necessarily alter the game situation; and
if the situation is not altered, the match is declared null and void and a new match is initiated.

TITLE XIII – OF GAME CONCLUSION

Article 49 – The game ends when one of the players:

Achieves the predetermined minimum number of match victories;
concedes defeat in the game;
is penalized with a second disciplinary foul or a serious foul; or
is disqualified from the game.

Article 50 – Both players are considered defeated if a disqualification penalty is applied simultaneously to both.

Illustrations detailing the specifications of the table are provided in the annexes of the Regulations of Billiards Sports.

São Paulo, November 10, 2012
Brazilian Confederation of Billiards and Snooker

You can download the original article in Brazilian Portuguese in PDF format from this link:

Regras da Sinuca Mista 2012