How many points is each shot worth in English billiards?
B · Beginner · The game · 2 of 3A cannon scores two. Potting or going in-off the opponent's ball scores two. Potting or going in-off the red scores three. Every score in one stroke counts, so a single shot can earn several. When an in-off comes with a cannon, the in-off is worth three if the red was hit first and two otherwise.
How it works
- Cannon: 2 points.
- Pot the opponent's ball: 2 points.
- In-off the opponent's ball: 2 points.
- Pot the red: 3 points.
- In-off the red: 3 points.
- More than one in a stroke: all are scored.
- In-off with a cannon: the in-off scores 3 if the red was hit first, 2 if the opponent's ball was hit first, and 2 if both were hit together.
- In-off off two balls: it counts as off the first ball hit.
- Only one cannon: can be scored in a stroke.
- After an in-off: the striker plays the next shot from in-hand.
- After potting the opponent's ball: it stays off the table until the opponent's next turn.
The glossary has the pot, the in-off, the cannon, the hazard, the combined scores and the break.
Tricky cases
A player pots the red and the cue-ball then cannons into the yellow. How many points?
Five: three for the pot red and two for the cannon.
The cue-ball hits the yellow, then the red, then goes into a pocket. What is the in-off worth?
Two for the in-off, because the yellow was hit first, plus two for the cannon.
What is the most that one stroke can score?
Ten, by the rules' values: pot red (3), pot the opponent's ball (2), in-off the red (3) and a cannon (2).
Does potting the opponent's ball end the opponent's game?
No. The ball is off the table only until the opponent's turn, when they play it from the D.
Why the rule exists
The red is the ball that stays on the table and is replaced on its spot, so a player can keep scoring off it. Valuing it higher rewards the harder play of controlling the red. The cannon, worth two, rewards touch and position more than power.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cannon | 2 | WPBSA Billiards 3.4(a) |
| Opponent's ball, pot or in-off | 2 | WPBSA Billiards 3.4(a) |
| Red, pot or in-off | 3 | WPBSA Billiards 3.4(b) |
| In-off with a cannon, red first | 3 for the in-off | WPBSA Billiards 3.4(d) |
| Foul or miss | 2 to the opponent | WPBSA Billiards 3.16; 3.17 |
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 8 to 12 and Section 3 Rules 3 and 4. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the association's rule book, which covers snooker and English billiards together.