What is a foul in English billiards?
I · Intermediate · Fouls and conduct · 4 of 5A foul is any breach of the rules by the striker. The common ones are striking the cue-ball twice or pushing it, playing a jump shot, failing to hit any ball, knocking a ball off the table, touching a ball with the body or clothing, and playing with both feet off the floor. Every foul gives the opponent two points.
How it works
- Striking: a ball other than the cue-ball, or the cue-ball more than once or when any ball is still moving.
- Feet: striking with both feet off the floor.
- Turn: playing out of turn, or before the referee has finished spotting a ball.
- In-hand: playing improperly from in-hand, or running a coup.
- Push stroke: the cue tip staying on the cue-ball after it has started moving, or as it meets an object ball.
- Jump shot: the cue-ball passing over part of an object ball, with some exceptions.
- Off the table: causing any ball to be forced off the table.
- Limits: more than fifteen hazards or seventy-five cannons in a row, or failing to cross the baulk-line in time.
- Touching: a ball in play, or a ball marker, with the body, clothing or equipment.
- No contact: failing to hit an object ball, except a miss from in-hand.
- Other: using a non-standard cue, using a ball off the table, measuring gaps or conferring with a partner at the wrong time.
The glossary has the foul, the push stroke, the jump shot, the forced off the table, the running a coup and the striker.
Tricky cases
The cue-ball and an object ball are almost touching. Is hitting through them a push stroke?
Not if the cue-ball hits a very fine edge of the object ball. Otherwise, keeping the tip on the cue-ball as it meets the object ball is a push stroke.
The cue-ball hits one ball and then hops over another. Is that a jump shot?
No. A cue-ball that first hits one object ball and then jumps over another is one of the exceptions.
A player in a wheelchair plays with both feet off the floor. Is that a foul?
No. The rules say the feet rule cannot be applied to players in wheelchairs.
A rest borrowed from the referee breaks and moves a ball. Is that a foul?
No. Equipment provided by the referee or found at the table is not the striker's responsibility. The ball is replaced and the break goes on.
Why the rule exists
Most fouls protect the stroke itself: one clean contact with the cue-ball, made while the balls are still and the player is balanced. The others stop a player from gaining by accident or by design, as with a ball knocked off the table or a cushion gap measured with a cue.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Billiards foul | 2 points to the opponent | WPBSA Billiards 3.16(c) |
| Snooker foul | At least 4 points, more for higher-value balls | WPBSA Snooker 3.11 |
| Players in wheelchairs | The feet rule does not apply | WPBSA Billiards 3.20 |
| Striker's own equipment | Striker responsible for fouls with it | WPBSA Billiards 3.19 |
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 2 Rules 18 to 22 and Section 3 Rules 15, 19 and 20. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the association's rule book, which covers snooker and English billiards together.