In snooker, what is the maximum penalty value for a single foul?

In snooker, the maximum penalty value for a single foul is seven points.

A foul awards points to the opponent, with the value determined by the relevant ball. The penalty is at least four points, but it rises to seven when the foul involves the black ball or another situation in which seven is the highest applicable value. For example, striking the wrong ball when the black is the ball on can produce a seven-point penalty.

This is different from the maximum break, which is a scoring achievement rather than a foul ruling. It is also different from the minimum foul penalty of four points, a commonly tested basic rule.

The referee awards the penalty immediately, and the incoming player may continue from the resulting position or ask the offender to play again when the rules permit. The foul points do not count toward the offender’s break.