What can a snooker referee tell the players?
A · Advanced · Players, officials and other formats · 5 of 7The referee decides anything the rules do not cover, calls infringements, cleans a ball on request and tells a player a ball's colour or position. The referee gives no advice and does not tell anyone the difference in scores. The marker keeps the score. The player not at the table must stay out of the striker's line of sight.
How it works
- Fair play: the referee decides any situation not covered by the rules.
- Intervening: the referee steps in whenever they see an infringement.
- On request: a ball's colour or position, cleaning a ball and whether the cue ball is properly placed in the D.
- Cleaning: the ball's place is marked first; touching the marker is an infringement.
- Never: advice, warnings that a player is about to foul or the difference in scores.
- Missed incidents: the referee may ask the marker, other officials or spectators, or watch a video.
- The marker: keeps the score and helps the referee; a stroke recorder may log each stroke.
- The non-striker: sits or stands away from the table, out of the striker's line of sight, and may name a deputy when absent.
- Score: players must point out a wrong score as soon as they notice it.
- No referee: the opponent acts as the referee.
The glossary has the striker, the ball on, the cue ball, the D, the foul and the frame.
Tricky cases
A player asks the referee how many points behind they are. Will the referee say?
No. The referee does not answer questions about the difference in scores, though the scoreboard or the announced scores show them.
A colour-blind player cannot tell a red from a green. Can they ask?
Yes. The referee will tell any player the colour of a ball on request.
The referee did not see whether the white touched a ball. What now?
The referee may ask the marker or other officials, ask spectators, or view a video replay if available.
Two friends play without a referee. Who decides?
Each player acts as referee for the other's turn.
Why the rule exists
A referee who gave advice or scores would be helping one player. Limiting what can be asked keeps the decisions with the players and the rulings with the referee.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| The referee | Decides, cleans, names colours | WPBSA Snooker 5.1 |
| The marker | Keeps the score | WPBSA Snooker 5.2 |
| Players with disabilities | Rules adjusted; officials may help | WPBSA Snooker 3.21(a), 5.4(b) |
| Snooker Shootout | A timing official runs the shot clock | WPBSA Snooker Shootout rules 2 to 4 |
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 2(c) and 21 and Section 4 Rules 5 to 7 and Section 5 Rules 1 to 4. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the association's rule book, which covers snooker and English billiards together.