What happens after a foul in English billiards?
I · Intermediate · Fouls and conduct · 5 of 5After a foul the referee calls "Foul" and the opponent gets two points. Points scored earlier in the break still count, but nothing is scored on the foul stroke. The incoming player then chooses: play from where the balls stopped, or have the red put on the Spot and the opponent's ball on the Centre Spot and play from the D.
How it works
- The call: "Foul", straight away.
- The penalty: 2 points to the opponent.
- At most two: no more than two penalty points in any one stroke.
- Earlier points: the striker keeps the points made in the break before the foul.
- The foul stroke: scores nothing for the striker.
- Option one: play from where the balls came to rest, with the red re-spotted if it went off the table.
- Option two: play from in-hand, with the red on the Spot and the opponent's ball on the Centre Spot.
- Final choice: once the incoming player asks for the balls to be spotted, the request stands.
- Unseen fouls: a foul that is not called or claimed before the next stroke is condoned.
- Playing on after the call: a further foul, for playing out of turn.
The glossary has the foul, the penalty points, the in-hand, the spots, the break and the referee.
Tricky cases
A player makes 40 in a break and then fouls. Are the 40 lost?
No. All points scored in the break before the foul count. Only the foul stroke scores nothing.
A stroke contains two fouls. Is the penalty four points?
No. No more than two penalty points are incurred in any one stroke.
A foul happens and nobody notices until after the next shot. Can it still be penalised?
No. A foul not awarded or claimed before the next stroke is made is condoned.
Can the incoming player change their mind after asking for the balls to be spotted?
No. The request cannot be withdrawn.
Why the rule exists
Two points is a light penalty in a game of long breaks, so the real cost of a foul is the choice it hands the opponent. Being able to reset the balls means a foul cannot be used to leave the incoming player in a bad position.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Any foul | 2 points; never more in one stroke | WPBSA Billiards 3.16(c) |
| Next player | Plays as left, or from in-hand with balls spotted | WPBSA Billiards 3.16(c) |
| Miss from in-hand | 2 points; play as left | WPBSA Billiards 3.17 |
| Snooker | The next player may ask the offender to play again | WPBSA Snooker 3.10(h) |
From the rule book
World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, Official Rules of the Games of Snooker and English Billiards (May 2022 update), English Billiards part, English Billiards Section 3 Rules 3(c), 16 and 17. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the association's rule book, which covers snooker and English billiards together.