After a foul, who plays next in snooker?
I · Intermediate · Fouls and penalties · 2 of 5After a foul, the next player chooses. They can play from where the balls came to rest, or ask the player who fouled to play again from there. A request to play again cannot be withdrawn. If the white is off the table, the next stroke is from the D. The penalty points are added either way.
How it works
- The choice: play from where the balls stopped, or ask the offender to play again.
- Play again: the offender plays the next stroke, and may change their mind about which stroke to play and which ball on to hit.
- Points: the offender scores for any ball they then pot.
- No withdrawing: once made, a request to play again stands.
- Cue ball off the table: the next stroke is from in-hand.
- A foul before striking: the next player may play, or ask the offender to play again from the position left or with all balls put back.
- A free ball: if the cue ball is snookered after the foul, the next player may also take a free ball.
- Four-handed: the player who fouled plays again, and the order of play stays the same.
The glossary has the foul, the striker, the free ball, the in-hand, the ball on and the frame.
Tricky cases
The opponent asks the offender to play again, then changes their mind. Is that allowed?
No. A request to play again cannot be withdrawn.
The offender is asked to play again and pots a red. Does it count?
Yes, and they carry on the break as normal.
The striker knocks a ball with their cue before playing. What then?
The penalty is given and the next player chooses: play themselves, or ask the offender to play again from where things are or from the original position.
The white is pocketed in the foul. Can the next player still ask the offender to play again?
Yes. The offender then plays from the D.
Why the rule exists
A foul often leaves the table awkward. Letting the innocent player choose who plays next means a foul can never leave the offender better off.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Play again | The offender plays, and may score | WPBSA Snooker 3.10(h), 3.13 |
| Foul before striking | Option to put balls back | WPBSA Snooker 3.10(i) |
| Snooker Shootout | No play again; the white is placed anywhere on the table | WPBSA Snooker Shootout rules 15 and 19 |
| English billiards | The opponent may play from where the balls stopped or from in-hand with balls spotted | WPBSA Billiards 3.16 |
From the rule book
World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, Official Rules of the Games of Snooker and English Billiards (May 2022 update), snooker part, Section 2 Rule 5 and Section 3 Rules 3(a), 10, 13 and 18(c). Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the association's rule book, which covers snooker and English billiards together.