What is a free ball in snooker?
I · Intermediate · Fouls and penalties · 4 of 5If a foul leaves the next player snookered, the referee calls "Free ball". The player may then nominate any ball as the ball on, and it takes that ball's value. A free ball that is potted is put back on its spot. Leaving the opponent snookered behind the free ball is a foul, except when only pink and black remain.
How it works
- When: after a foul, if the cue ball is snookered.
- The choice: the next player may nominate any ball as the ball on, play normally or ask the offender to play again.
- Value: the free ball counts as the ball on; a free ball as a red is worth one, followed by a colour.
- Potted: the free ball is spotted and the value of the ball on is scored.
- Free ball and ball on both potted: only the ball on counts, unless it is a red, when each counts.
- Hitting it first: the cue ball must hit the free ball first, or with a ball on.
- No snookering behind it: after a non-scoring stroke, leaving the opponent snookered behind the free ball is a foul, unless only pink and black remain.
- Void: the option goes if the offender is asked to play again.
The glossary has the free ball, the snooker, the ball on, the foul, the pot and the red balls.
Tricky cases
Reds remain and the player takes the blue as a free ball and pots it. What scores?
One point, as for a red. The blue is spotted and the player then plays a colour.
Can a free ball be used to lay a snooker?
Not behind the free ball itself after a non-scoring stroke, unless only pink and black are left. Elsewhere, safety play is as usual.
Only the pink and black are left. Can the player hide the white behind the free ball?
Yes. The bar on snookering behind the free ball does not apply then.
The player hits a red first instead of the nominated free ball. Is that a foul?
Yes, unless the free ball and the red were hit simultaneously.
Why the rule exists
Without it, a player could gain by fouling into a position that leaves the opponent snookered. The free ball takes that reward away.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Free ball | Any ball nominated as the ball on | WPBSA Snooker 2.13, 3.12 |
| Snookered by the free ball | Foul, value of the ball on | WPBSA Snooker 3.11(a)(viii), 3.12(b) |
| Snooker Shootout | No free ball, unless it is impossible to hit a ball on from in-hand | WPBSA Snooker Shootout rule 19 |
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 13 and Section 3 Rules 11(a)(viii) and 12. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the association's rule book, which covers snooker and English billiards together.