Amateur snooker

For Small Boy and Jay-D - two of the game's best characters.

Snooker, like golf, is difficult. But unlike golf, where attempting difficult shots can heighten the enjoyment, snooker should be played conservatively to prevent the game from becoming frustrating and to improve your chances of success.

Don't be overly ambitious. This applies to all aspects of the game - choose a safety or a shot-to-nothing over a difficult pot; don't twat the cue ball; sacrifice position on the next shot if it makes your current pot substantially more difficult; and avoid the use of side-spin on anything more than a simple tap-in.

Essentially, play to your limits and don't try to emulate the professionals you see on the telly.

Some other rules:

Don't celebrate a fluke; do apologise
Don't play the foul-and-a-miss rule, just be honest and gentlemanly
Always re-spot the colour for your opponent so he can maintain concentration
Never share either chalk or a cue - both are essential pieces of a player's attire which need to be held at all times, they are an extension of the body
Don't answer your phone or go to the toilet during a frame
Don't talk or move during your opponent's shot, standing in your opponent's eye-line is ok, but don't do it deliberately
Pot the reds and screw back, for the yellow, green, brown, blue, pink and black