English Snooker Balls are not Numbered

Similar to the game of billiards, the game is played using a cue and 22 snooker balls: one white cue ball, 15 red balls worth one point each, and six balls of different color: yellow (2 points), green (3), brown (4), blue (5), pink (6) and black (7). The red balls are initially placed in a triangular formation, and the other colored balls on marked positions on the table known as “spots”. Players execute shots by striking the cue ball with the cue, causing the cue ball to hit a red or colored ball. Points are scored by potting the red and colored balls (that is, knocking them into the pockets) in the correct sequence. A player receives additional points if the opponent commits a foul. A player wins a game of snooker by scoring more points than the opponent. A player wins a match when a predetermined number of frames have been won.

Non-professional snooker and English billiards around the world are governed by the International Billiards and Snooker Federation. The balls used in Snooker are determined in two portions of the rule book.  The equipment section provides physical specifications for the balls and the definitions section dictates how many of each colored ball will be used.

Section 1. Equipment
2. Balls

The balls shall be of an approved composition and shall each have a diameter of 52.5mm with a tolerance of +/- 0.05mm and:

(a) they shall be of equal weight within a tolerance of 3g per set
(b) a ball or set of balls may be changed by agreement between the players or on a decision by the referee.

The correct value for the balls are as follows

• Red – 1
• Yellow – 2
• Green – 3
• Brown – 4
• Blue – 5
• Pink – 6
• Black – 7

Section 2. Definitions
4. Balls
(a) The White ball is the cue-ball.
(b) The 15 Reds and the 6 colours are the object balls.

References:
International Billiards and Snooker Federation – ibsfnews.com
Photo – http://www.cameralabs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12741&view=previous

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