Ever heard someone mention a “kiss” in snooker and thought romance hit the Pool Table? Short answer: a kiss is when two balls touch during a shot, usually by accident. It can completely change the outcome, either ruining a break or creating a golden opportunity. Keep reading to see how pros use, avoid, and even master this unpredictable moment.

Defining the "Kiss" in Snooker
When the Cue Ball Makes Contact with a Second Object Ball
In snooker rules, a kiss happens when the cue ball unintentionally brushes another object ball after striking the intended one. It may sound minor, but it can change everything, the pace, the angles, and even the result of the frame.
The Key Difference Between a Kiss and a Cannon
Many new players confuse what is a kiss in snooker rules with what is a cannon in snooker. A cannon is deliberate: the cue ball is aimed to strike two object balls in succession. A kiss, however, is usually a surprise touch that wasn’t planned.
The Intentional Kiss: A Mark of a Skilled Player
Using a Kiss to Nudge Another Ball into a Potting Position
Top players sometimes deliberately create a kiss, using it to reposition another ball into a better potting line. This level of skill separates an amateur from what you call someone who is good at playing pool, a real cue master who knows how to control even the tiniest interactions.
Playing Safe by Using a Kiss to Hide the Cue Ball
Strategic players also use the kiss to play safe, tucking the cue ball behind another to snooker their opponent. While it’s not illegal to snooker in pool or snooker, it requires clever planning and an eye for detail.

The Unintentional Kiss: When Things Go Wrong
How an Unlucky Kiss Can Ruin a Pot or End a Break
Imagine lining up the perfect pot, only for the cue ball to clip another ball on the way through, that’s an unwanted kiss. These accidents often ruin high breaks and can hand control to your opponent in an instant.
Famous Examples of Fortunate and Unfortunate Kisses
Just like the golden break rule in 8-ball pool, kisses can flip a match upside down. Some of the most famous frames in snooker history were shaped by lucky or unlucky kisses—one ball nudging another at just the right (or wrong) time.
The "Plant": A Special Type of Intentional Kiss
How a Plant Works: Potting a Ball by Striking it with Another
A plant in snooker is when one ball is deliberately struck into another so the second ball drops into a pocket. It’s an intentional kiss, executed with precision. Done well, it can swing momentum back in a player’s favour.
The Difference Between a Plant and a Double
Unlike a plant, a double sends the ball to a cushion before rebounding into the pocket. Both are crowd-pleasers, but they’re entirely different techniques within snooker terminology wiki and snooker phrases.
Is a Kiss Considered a Foul in Snooker?
Clarifying the Rules Around Kisses
Good news for players: kisses are not fouls. As long as the first ball struck is the correct one under snooker rules, a kiss is part of normal play.
The Difference Between a Kiss and a Foul "Push Shot"
A push shot is different. That’s when the cue tip remains in contact with the cue ball for too long. By contrast, a kiss is ball-to-ball contact, not a cueing error.

FAQ: The Kiss in Snooker
What is a cannon in snooker?
A cannon is when the cue ball deliberately contacts two object balls in one stroke. It’s a scoring tactic, unlike the surprise of a kiss.
What does it mean to be "kissing" in snooker?
“Kissing” means two balls are already touching. Under snooker touching ball rules, the referee will declare it, and the player must then strike away without causing a foul.
Can you deliberately play a kiss?
Yes, skilled players can. Much like why it’s called a Chinese snooker or why snooker players tap their finger on the table for focus, the kiss is part of the game’s culture. A deliberate kiss can open up scoring chances, create safety play, or disrupt an opponent’s rhythm.