Snooker · Guide
What does 'snookers required' mean?
It means the player who is behind needs more points than are left on the table. They can only win the frame if their opponent gives points away through fouls.
Working out what is left
While reds remain, each red is worth 8 on the table (1 for the red and 7 for a black after it). The six colours add 27. So:
Points remaining = (reds left × 8) + 27
Once all the reds have gone, only the colours in order are left:
| Next colour | Points left |
|---|---|
| Yellow | 27 |
| Green | 25 |
| Brown | 22 |
| Blue | 18 |
| Pink | 13 |
| Black | 7 |
An example
You trail 56–20, so you are 36 behind. Three reds are left: 3 × 8 + 27 = 51 remaining. You do not need snookers yet. Your opponent pots a red and a black. Now you are 44 behind with 43 left. You need a snooker.
Win back 4 or more points from a foul and you are back in it, as long as you then clear the table.
Why players keep going
A foul on the pink or black is worth 6 or 7, so two snookers late in a frame can change everything. Near the end, the player in front has to be careful, while the player behind lays snookers on purpose, hiding the white behind a colour.
When the gap is huge, players simply shake hands and concede. Needing two or three snookers with only a few colours left rarely works, and conceding saves time.
Quick answers
- What does snookers required mean?
- The player who is behind needs more points than are left on the table, so they can only win if their opponent gives away points through fouls, usually by being snookered.
- How many points are left on the table?
- With reds still on, it is 8 for every red (the red plus the black) plus 27 for the colours. With only the colours left: yellow 27, green 25, brown 22, blue 18, pink 13, black 7.
- Why don't players just concede when they need snookers?
- Because a snooker can win back 4 to 7 points a time, and one or two can turn a frame. On the last colours especially, needing one snooker is often a real chance.