Snooker can seem very confusing to a new agility handler, but once you learn the rules of the game, it can be a fun addition to your standard courses. In Snooker, a dog must gain a certain number of points in a set time frame to clear the round. How these points are acquired is largely up to the handler. In this post, I will focus on Snooker in UKI, but the rules are similar across agility organizations.
The goal in Snooker is to gain as many points as possible in a set amount of time. Points are gained by taking obstacles. You need at least 37 points to clear a Snooker round.
You can find the full UKI Rulebook here.
Important Terminology
There are a few words you should know before attempting to learn about or play Snooker. I will elaborate on each of these more below.
- Game – Any class that requires the dog to earn a set number of points to clear the round.
- Opening – The first half of the Snooker run.
- Closing – The second half of the Snooker run.
- Point Obstacles – Obstacles worth more than one point. These are also called color obstacles.
- Red Jumps – Jumps worth one point that must be taken at certain times.
- One directional – obstacles that can only be taken from one side.
- Bi-directional – obstacles that can be taken from either side.
- Game over – Your turn in the ring is done and you may no longer acquire points, but any points previously earned remain valid.
- Finish obstacle – The obstacle that ends the game. You should ALWAYS take the final obstacle. It is not worth points.
- Starting obstacle – The obstacle that starts the game. You must take the starting obstacle to begin the game. It is not worth points.
Snooker Introduction and Primary Objective
Agility snooker takes after the billiard game, but if, like me, you haven’t played the billiard game before, that information is not particularly helpful. If you have played billiard Snooker before, leave a comment explaining how they are similar or different!
To have a qualifying Snooker run, a dog must gain at least 37 points.
Points are gained by taking obstacles. Obstacles are worth different points based on their difficulty and location. The obstacle points will be noted on the course map.
Snooker points will be gained over two different stages, the opening and the closing. Each section has different rules and objectives. When preparing for your Snooker run, it’s often helpful to start with the closing, then determine your opening.
Snooker Closing
The closing in Snooker is very similar to a standard course. It requires the dog to complete 6 numbered obstacles in numerical order. However, the first obstacle will be number two and the last will be number 7. Each obstacle is worth points based on the number it is assigned. For example, the first obstacle with a number two assigned is worth two points, the obstacle with a three assigned is worth three points, and so on.
A few important notes about the closing:
- You must complete the obstacles in order.
- All obstacles are one directional, as noted by the number, unless stated by the judge. Bi-directional obstacles will have the number in the middle of the obstacle.
- If you are able to complete all 6 obstacles in the closing, you will gain 27 points (2+3+4+5+6+7 = 27).
- If you fault on an obstacle (dropped bar, refusal, missed contact, of course, etc.), the game is over.
- If the game ends, proceed to the finish obstacle. You should always take the final obstacle to secure your points.
- You are not required to complete all six obstacles to clear the round or place. You only need to secure 37 points.
A Snooker closing requires a dog to complete six obstacles in order, from two to seven, to secure all 27 points.
The image to the right shows a sample closing map. The tunnel is the first obstacle in the closing. It is worth 2 points. The jump is next, worth three points, followed by the A-frame (4 points), jump (5 points), weaves (6 points), and jump (7 points). To gain all points, a dog must navigate all obstacles in order without any faults. Finally, they must cross the finish line, labeled with an F.
If a dog receives a fault, the judge will blow their whistle to demonstrate the game is over. The dog should then proceed directly to the finish obstacle. For example, let’s say a dog successfully completes the tunnel and first jump (2+3 = 5), but misses the contact zone on the A-Frame. The judge will blow their whistle to signal the game has ended. The dog/handler then move directly the jump with an F. The dog finishes the closing with 5 points.
Snooker Opening
The Snooker opening is a bit more confusing than the closing. The Snooker opening requires a dog to alternate between red jumps and point obstacles. A dog must complete at least three or four red jumps, depending on the course, before beginning the closing.
The order is as follows:
- Red Jump
- Point Obstacle
- Different Red Jump
- Point Obstacle
- Different Red Jump (not previously taken)
- Point Obstacle
Point obstacles may be taken more than once, but each red jump can only be taken once. If a dog knocks a bar on a red jump, another red jump must be taken before attempting a point obstacle. Point obstacles may be any obstacle (jumps, tunnels, weaves, A-Frame, dog walk, or teeter).
Each red jump is worth one point. Point obstacles will be labeled with their point value. You are free to design your course in any way, but you must alternate red jump and point obstacle.
You need at least 10 points in the opening to clear the round.
Important notes about the opening:
- Obstacles may typically be taken in any direction, regardless of where the number is located.
- Red jumps may be taken in any direction.
- Each red jump may only be taken once.
- Point obstacles may be taken as many times as desired.
- You need at least 10 points in the opening. To achieve this, you may do any combination other than red jump, two point obstacle, red jump, two point obstacle, red jump, two point obstacle (9 points total).
The map to the right demonstrates an example Snooker course. It includes both red jumps, worth one point, and point obstacles, worth points two through seven. The start and finish obstacles are denoted by an S and F.
There are many ways to tackle this opening. Here is one example:
- Starting jump
- Red jump near the weaves (1 point)
- Weaves (6 points)
- Red jump near the finish line (1 point)
- Tunnel (2 points)
- Red jump near the start line (1 point)
- A-Frame (4 points)
- Begin the closing with the tunnel, denoted with a two.
This sequence would give us 15 points, significantly more than the 10 needed to clear the round, assuming we gain all 27 in the closing.
Sequences in Snooker
Often times, Snooker courses will include a series of obstacles that include A and B, or A, B, C. These are considered one obstacle. To gain the points, a dog must complete all the obstacles in the series. Typically, in the opening, the series may be completed in any order (A,B,C or C,B,A), but must be completed in alphabetical order in the closing. The sample map below shows a series of obstacles worth 7 points. To gain 7 points, both jumps must be completed, from the correct side, starting with A.
Snooker Strategy
For a beginner, the best Snooker strategy is start with the first obstacle in the closing, then work your way backward.
For example, in the course above, the first closing obstacle is the tunnel. Taking the red jump near the start line sets us up nicely to take the tunnel. The obstacle closest to that red jump, is the A-Frame. From there, the tunnel is likely the best option. If we take the tunnel, we are near the red jump close to the finish line. That puts us in position to take 7B and 7A, which puts us within striking distance of the red jump near the weaves. Starting with the red jump near the weaves, we are near the start line. So our opening would be red jump, 7A, 7B, red jump, tunnel, red jump, A-frame. Then we would begin the closing with the tunnel, followed by a jump, A-frame, jump, weaves, jump, jump. Course set!
Remember, Snooker is supposed to be fun. So try not to stress and enjoy yourself!
If this is your first agility trial, be sure to check out my other article on what to expect at your first trial!
[…] These classes require the dog to acquire a certain number of points to clear the round. This post, discusses Snooker in depth. I’ll cover Gamblers in a future […]