Snooker rules and refereeing
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  • R.A.C.C.S. and Canadian Referees
  • How to become a referee
  • Beginners start here
    • Snooker for beginners
    • Getting started video
  • The Rules
    • The Official Rules as revised; November 2014
    • AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES OF SNOOKER AND BILLIARDS TO TAKE EFFECT ON AUGUST 12TH 2014
    • Snooker Rule Changes (2010) Explained by Referee Andy Yates
    • Question and Answers as agreed at a WPBSA Rules Meeting held on 27th June 2013.
  • Rules Quizzes
    • EASB Snooker referee quiz: (questions without answers) >
      • EASB Snooker referee quiz: (questions with answers)
    • EASB Referees “Rules” Quiz: October 2010 (questions without answers) >
      • EASB Referees “Rules” Quiz: October 2010 (questions with answers)
    • EASB Referees “Rules” Quiz: November 2010 (questions without answers) >
      • EASB Referees “Rules” Quiz: November 2010 (questions with answers)
    • EASB Referees “Rules” Quiz: December 2010 (questions without answers) >
      • EASB Referees “Rules” Quiz: December 2010 (questions with answers)
    • EASB Referees “Rules” Quiz: January 2011 (questions without answers) >
      • EASB Referees “Rules” Quiz: January 2011 (questions with answers)
    • EASB Referees “Rules” Quiz: February 2011 (questions without answers) >
      • EASB Referees “Rules” Quiz: February 2011 (questions with answers)
    • EASB Referees “Rules” Quiz: March 2011 (questions without answers) >
      • EASB Referees “Rules” Quiz: March 2011 (questions with answers)
  • Rules you must understand as a player
    • The Break
    • Frame, Game or Match?
    • Who takes the top scorer
    • Keeping score
    • When is the Frame over?
    • Understanding the 'Miss'
    • Understanding the 'Three Miss Rule'
    • Angled Ball (Pocket hook)
    • Seven Point Fouls
  • How do I .....
    • Rack the balls
    • Respot the colour balls
    • Re-spot the cueball after a Miss
    • Use the Ball Marker
    • Handle the rests and other furniture
    • Organise a tournament
  • So you don't like the call; now what?
  • Some information on the Equipment
    • The cue
    • The Balls
    • The Chalk
    • Videos about the table
    • The Cloth >
      • "Double Shaved"
    • The Spots
    • Scoring Software
    • Pocket Templates circa 1996
  • Guides for the Referee
    • Referees Best Practice by English Association of Snooker and Billiards
    • Referee’s Guide to Positioning by Steve Fletcher
    • Referees Guide to What to Say, and When to Say it by Clive A Brown, January 2012
    • Calling the score
  • Variations of the game
    • The six -red game
    • Snooker Shoot Out
  • English Billiards
  • Links to Videos
  • Other Links
  • Contact

Keeping Score

A game of snooker is usually a series of frames. When a game starts, the players decide, usually by a coin toss, who will play first. The player who plays first keeps his score on the top counter and maintains that position throughout the game.
You do NOT flip-flop the scoreboard after every frame 'to keep track of who broke-off last'. Use a chalk board for that. Too many frames are ruined by players getting confused over who is scoring on top.

When your opponent is at the table, count out his break as he makes it. Wait until the balls on the table have stopped moving, and all balls pocketed have been re spotted if necessary, and then let him and the observers know what his break is so far.
This way, there is no argument about the score when the break comes to an end.