How do doubles and six-reds snooker differ from the standard game?
A · Advanced · Players, officials and other formats · 6 of 7In four-handed snooker, two pairs play in a fixed order set at the start of each frame, and partners may talk except while one is at the table. Six-reds snooker uses six reds in place of fifteen, allows no more than five misses in a row and bars a snooker behind the colour nominated.
How it works
- Four-handed sides: two pairs, each starting alternate frames.
- Order: set at the start of each frame and kept through it; it may be changed for the next frame.
- Partners talking: allowed, except while one is the striker and has come to the table, until the turn ends.
- Conferring at the wrong time: a foul worth the value of the ball on.
- Playing out of turn: a foul; the offender's partner then loses a turn.
- A partner's infringement: counts against the striker.
- A tied frame: the side playing first chooses who takes the respotted black.
- Six reds: at most five misses in a row when the offender replays from the original position.
- After the fourth miss: a warning; after a fifth, the non-offender may place the cue ball anywhere, unless snookers were needed.
- No hiding behind the colour: after a red, the striker must not leave the opponent snookered behind the nominated colour.
The glossary has the frame, the striker, the miss, the red balls, the snooker and the respotted black.
Tricky cases
A player in doubles fouls and is asked to play again. Who plays?
The player who fouled, and the order of play does not change.
The wrong partner plays a shot. What happens?
It is a foul, and the offender's partner loses a turn whether or not the offender is asked to play again.
In six-reds, can the non-offender place the white anywhere after misses?
Yes, after a fifth miss in a row once the warning has been given, unless a player needed penalty points.
Can partners in doubles talk while one is cueing?
No. They may confer during the frame, but not once one is the striker at the table, until that turn ends.
Why the rule exists
Fixed orders and limits on talking keep doubles a team game without letting one player coach every shot. Six-reds is shorter, and its limit on misses keeps frames moving.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Four-handed | Pairs, fixed order, conferring rules | WPBSA Snooker 3.18 |
| Six reds | Five misses at most; cue ball anywhere after a fifth | WPBSA Snooker 3.19 |
| Simplified games | Any number of reds may be used | WPBSA Snooker 3.21(c) |
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 3 Rules 11(a)(iv), 11(a)(ix), 11(a)(xii), 18, 19 and 21(c). Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the association's rule book, which covers snooker and English billiards together.