The Snooker Shoot Out is a professional event played under a variation of standard snooker rules.
It uses a fixed frame time limit, a shot clock, and additional rules designed to keep play continuous and produce a decisive result.
Because of these changes, the Shoot Out plays very differently from a normal multi-frame match.
What is the Snooker Shoot Out?
The Snooker Shoot Out is played entirely over single-frame matches.
Each match is decided in one frame, with a strict time limit and modified foul and tie-break rules.
Frame time limit
Each frame lasts a maximum of 10 minutes.
- The match clock runs continuously once play begins
- If the 10-minute clock expires, the player with the higher score wins the frame.
- If the scores are level, a blue ball shoot-out is used to determine the winner.
Shot clock
A shot clock applies throughout the frame.
- First 5 minutes: 15 seconds per shot
- Second 5 minutes: 10 seconds per shot
- The clock resets after every shot
If the striker does not play the shot in time, a time foul is called.
Break-off and order of play
Players lag to determine the order of play.
The winner of the lag decides who plays first.
Mandatory shot outcome
On every stroke, at least one ball must:
- Strike a cushion, or
- Enter a pocket
Failure to do so is a foul.
Fouls, penalties, and ball-in-hand
The miss rule does not apply in the Shoot Out.
After any foul:
- The incoming player receives the cue ball in-hand
- In-hand means the cue ball can be placed anywhere on the table
- There is no option to ask the opponent to play again
For key Shoot Out infringements (such as time fouls and failure to hit a cushion or pot a ball), the penalty is typically:
- A minimum of five points, or the value of the ball on, whichever is greater
Tie-break
If scores are level at the end of 10 minutes, the match is decided by a blue ball shoot-out.
- The blue is placed on its spot
- The cue ball must be struck from on or within the lines of the D
- Players make alternate attempts to pot the blue
- The winner is the player who pots the blue more times than the opponent from an equal number of attempts – typically in a sudden-death format
How the Shoot Out differs from standard snooker
Key differences include:
- Single-frame matches only
- 10-minute frame limit
- 15-second then 10-second shot clock
- No miss rule
- Ball-in-hand anywhere on the table after fouls
- Must pot a ball or hit a cushion every shot
- Blue ball shoot-out if tied
Common misunderstandings
A tied Shoot Out frame is decided by a respotted black
If the scores are level at the end of 10 minutes, the winner is decided by a blue ball shoot-out.
Ball-in-hand means within the D
In the Shoot Out, ball-in-hand after fouls allows the cue ball to be placed anywhere on the table.
The miss rule applies
There is no miss rule in the Shoot Out.