snooker

views updated May 11 2018

snook·er / ˈsnoŏkər/ • n. a game played with cues on a billiard table in which the players use a cue ball (white) to pocket the other balls (fifteen red and six colored) in a set order. ∎  a position in a game of snooker or pool in which a player cannot make a direct shot at any permitted ball; a shot placing an opponent in such a position: he needed a snooker to have a chance of winning the frame.• v. [tr.] subject (oneself or one's opponent) to a snooker. ∎ fig. leave (someone) in a difficult position; thwart: I managed to lose my car keys—that was me snookered. ∎ fig. trick, entice, or trap: they were snookered into buying books at prices that were too high.

snooker

views updated May 18 2018

snooker Game usually for two players, played on a billiards table, using 15 red balls, 6 coloured balls – yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, black – and 1 white cue ball. Each player in turn attempts to knock a red ball into a pocket; if successful, the player may then try to pot a coloured ball; if successful again, the player may go on to another red and another colour. The turn ends when no ball is potted or when a penalty is incurred. Colours potted are returned to their positions on the table until all the reds have been potted; the colours are then potted in ascending order of value and remain off the table.

snooker

views updated Jun 08 2018

snooker XIX. of unkn. orig.