In the game of snooker, a “snooker” occurs when a player cannot hit the ball they are supposed to strike (the “ball on”) in a straight line because another ball is in the way.
How a Snooker Works
When you are “snookered,” your opponent has placed you in a difficult defensive position. You cannot see any part of the target ball, so you must “escape” by:
- Bouncing your cue ball off the cushions (the sides of the table) to curve around the obstacle.
- Playing a “swerve” shot to bend the path of the ball.
Why Players Use It
Snookering is a key strategy. If you cannot make a pot, you try to snooker your opponent. If they miss the target ball while trying to escape, the referee declares a “Foul and a Miss.” This results in:
- Penalty Points: You receive points (usually 4 to 7) added to your score.
- Turn Advantage: You can force your opponent to try the shot again from the same difficult spot, potentially racking up even more penalty points.
“Snookers Required”
You might hear commentators say a player “needs snookers.” This means there aren’t enough points left in the colored balls on the table for that player to win normally. They must intentionally snooker their opponent to earn penalty points and catch up.