Who breaks off in snooker, and what if the wrong player does?
I · Intermediate · The game · 1 of 5The order of play is settled by lot or by agreement, and the winner chooses who goes first. The first player plays from the D, and the frame starts when the cue tip touches the placed cue ball. Players take turns to break off in each frame of a game, and the order of play stays fixed within a frame.
How it works
- Choosing: by lot or in any agreed way; the winner picks who plays first.
- Alternating: the player or side to break off changes each frame of a game.
- The start: the frame begins when the cue ball is placed and the tip touches it, in a stroke or while addressing it.
- From the D: an in-hand cue ball is played from on or within the lines of the D, in any direction.
- Placing the ball: a touch of the tip while positioning it, not meant as a stroke, does not put it in play.
- Fixed order: the order stays the same through the frame, except that a player may be asked to play again after a foul.
- Leaving the table: a player who fails to pot must leave the table without delay.
- Removing equipment: the striker must clear any rest or object they used from the table.
The glossary has the frame, the striker, the in-hand, the D, the cue ball and the foul.
Tricky cases
The wrong player breaks off and nobody notices until the next shot. What happens?
If only one stroke has been played with no infringement, the frame is restarted without penalty. After that, play goes on and the correct order resumes in the next frame.
Can the in-hand player shoot backwards towards the bottom cushion?
Yes. From the D the cue ball may be played in any direction.
The player's cue tip brushes the cue ball while placing it. Has the frame started?
No, if the referee is satisfied no stroke was intended.
The player places the cue ball outside the D and plays. Is that a foul?
Yes. Playing improperly from in-hand is a foul worth at least four points.
Why the rule exists
Breaking off is usually a disadvantage, because the first shot gives the opponent the first chance at the reds. Alternating it shares that cost fairly over a game.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong player after one stroke | Restart without penalty | WPBSA Snooker 3.3(d)(i) |
| Wrong player after more strokes | Play on; order corrected next frame | WPBSA Snooker 3.3(d)(ii) |
| Snooker Shootout | A lag decides the order | WPBSA Snooker Shootout rule 10 |
| English billiards | Stringing decides the order | WPBSA Billiards 3.2 |
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 9 and Section 3 Rules 3(a) to 3(f), 3(j) and 5. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the association's rule book, which covers snooker and English billiards together.