International
Referees & rules
SBI referees officiate at every ranking event, and three of them have taken charge of European finals.
SBI qualified referees
International
test referee
The rules, in brief
A plain-English summary. The full rulebook is in Policies & documents.
Snooker is played with 15 reds, 6 colours and the white cue ball. A player pots a red, then a colour, alternately, until all reds are gone; then the colours in order: yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, black.
A frame is won by the player with more points when the last ball is potted, or when the opponent concedes. The maximum break is 147.
A foul gives the opponent at least 4 points, or the value of the ball involved if higher. Common fouls include missing all balls, potting the cue ball and hitting the wrong ball first.
After a foul the next player may play, or ask the offender to play again.
If a player is snookered after a foul, the referee can call a free ball. Any ball may then be nominated and played as if it were the ball on.
If the referee judges that a player has not made a good enough attempt to hit the ball on, a miss is called and the opponent may have the balls replaced.
SBI events follow the WPBSA Official Rules, plus the SBI Tournament Regulations for entries, dress code, walkovers and appeals.
Become an SBI referee
Start at club events, work up to ranked SBI events, and on to international appointments.
Regional
Club and local events. Entry-level accreditation after a rules assessment.
National
SBI ranking events and the National Championships.
International
EBSA and IBSF appointments, nominated by SBI.