Six-Red vs Fifteen-Red Snooker: Which Should You Play?
Six reds gives you a smaller opening pack and a shorter route to the colours. Fifteen reds gives you the standard full pack and more opportunities to build a break. Snooker Rivals lets you choose either when creating a table.
What changes when there are fewer reds?
| Starting format | Six reds | Fifteen reds |
|---|---|---|
| Reds at the start | 6 | 15 |
| Colours | Six | Six |
| Red-and-colour pairs available | 6 | 15 |
| Clearance using a black with every red, excluding fouls or free balls | 75 points | 147 points |
| Useful when | You want a smaller pack or a shorter format | You want a full-length format and longer break-building opportunities |
The totals come from eight points for each red-and-black pair, followed by 27 for the final colours: 6 × 8 + 27 = 75, or 15 × 8 + 27 = 147. Those are reference clearances, not a promise that every frame reaches that score.
The scoring sequence is familiar
In both Snooker Rivals room choices, start with a red and then a colour while reds remain. After the last red and its following colour, clear yellow through black in order. Ball values stay the same. The beginner scoring guide explains the sequence with an example.
Choose six reds for a smaller first frame
A smaller pack gives you fewer reds to negotiate before the colour clearance. It can be a useful way to learn the controls or fit a frame into a shorter session. It still needs thoughtful safety and cue-ball control. A frame can take longer if both players are learning, so there is no fixed duration.
For practice, choose one achievable goal: leave a shot on a colour after a red, build a break of ten, or reach the colour clearance with the white under control. Repeat that goal before trying a bigger break.
Choose fifteen reds for the full pack
Fifteen reds gives you more scoring opportunities and more traffic on the table. A pot can be straightforward while the route to the next red is blocked. Work on choosing a useful colour and keeping the white away from awkward positions.
You do not need to aim for a century immediately. Try making two red-and-colour pairs in one visit, then build from there. The spin guide introduces follow, screw and stun for position.
Create the table you both expect
- Open Play and choose the free-entry room options.
- Create a table and choose six or fifteen reds.
- For a private match, share the room code or invitation link with your friend.
See the friends guide for room setup and the mobile guide for phone controls.
Sport rules and the alpha game
Official six-red competition includes specific rule variations beyond simply removing nine reds. Consult the current WPBSA rulebook for competition play. The comparison here describes the room choices in Snooker Rivals; it does not claim that every tournament variation is implemented in the alpha.