<P> Because players receive points for fouls by their opponents, snookering one's opponent a number of times in a row is a possible way of winning a frame when potting all the balls on the table would be insufficient to ensure a win . </P> <P> If a player commits a foul, and the opponent considers that the position left is unattractive, he may request that the offender play again from the resulting position . </P> <P> A free ball is a player - nominated substitute for the ball on when the player is snookered by a foul . This is because the snooker in this case is produced by a foul and thus not considered legitimate . As such the player is allowed to pick any ball as a free ball, which is then effectively treated as the ball on, thereby voiding the illegitimate snooker . Once the free ball shot is taken legally, the game continues normally (although, if the offending player was asked to play the shot again, then the free ball is void, having to resolve the self - inflicted snooker). </P> <P> For example, as illustrated in the provided picture, if the ball on is the final red, but is snookered by the black due to a foul, the player will be able to name the blue as the free ball . He could then pot the blue as if it were a red for one point . The blue will then be respotted, a nominated colour ball will be on, and normal play will resume . </P>

When is a free ball awarded in snooker