THE RULES OF “SNOOKER.”
Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore), Wednesday 01 June 1887
THE RULES OF “SNOOKER.”
As this game is now played in many clubs and messes of this Province we publish below a copy of the authentic and original rules “for information and reference”: —
I. —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 a round, but does not play until last.
II.—15 Red balls are placed on the table as in “Pyramids’’ and four “coloured’’ balls 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.
III.—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.
IV.—A player having taken a red ball and then pocketed a coloured ball, the latter with be replaced on the spot it was originally placed on, before another stroke is played.
V.—When all the red balls are off the table, the coloured balls shall be played at according to their value; and, after holing one, the striker can play at, any coloured ball he likes. Should he hole a second coloured ball, he must play next at the coloured ball lowest in value remaining on the table. Missing the last coloured ball ends the game.
VI.—For each ball 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.
VII.—If the striker shall hit one or more balls and then pocket his own ball, he shall pay the value of the ball he plays at.
VIII.—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 both or all.
IX.—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, which counts, even if it goes in off other balls. Only one coloured ball may be taken at the same stroke.
X.—No ball may be temporarily taken up.
XI.—The striker need not declare which ball he wishes to hit.
XII.—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.
XIII.—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.
XIV.—If in taking aim a player cause his ball to strike another ball, even without intending to make a stroke, it shall count as a stroke.
XV.—If a player force 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.
XVI.—For making a foul stroke, or fouling another ball, a player cannot score; but is liable to any penalties he may incur.
XVII.—For making a miss at any ball the striker shall forfeit a life. For running in off a ball played at, or which he ought to have played at, he loses the value of that ball.
XVIII.—For hitting a wrong ball the striker shall pay one life.
XIX.—For playing out of turn, the striker shall pay one point to each player, besides any penalties incurred, but shall not receive any points he may have won.
XX.—A penalty of one point shall be incurred if the player use any part of his cue except the tip.
XXI.—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.
XXII.—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.
XXIII.—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. We weald suggest only one alteration to the foregoing rules; namely that Rule XVII should read “For making a miss at any ball except the last the striker shall forfeit a life. For running in off a bill played at, or which he ought to have played or for missing the last ball, he loses the value of that ball.” The advisability of this alteration is apparent from the consideration that, at the conclusion of a game, a player, who is leading, say, by three points, can—by deliberately missing the last ball and forfeiting only one point for the miss—deprive his opponent of all chance of fairly catching him up, and winning the game.