Billiards is a game whose creation has often been attributed to the British, with Snooker having been created by British Army officers stationed in India during 1874 to 1875. Pool, or “pocket billiards” is the american version of the game and is the most widely played cue sport in the world today.
Snooker still offers an enjoyable variation and even today convinces their eight-ball enthusiast cousins across the pond to make snooker their billiards game of choice.
Snooker tables are very similar to pool tables in that they have six pockets in which to sink the balls. The only real differences are that snooker tables have thinner cushions and more smoothly curved pocket openings. The snooker balls are what really differentiates snooker from pool in that they are noticeably smaller than regular pool balls. Ball sizes are approximately 2-1/16″ in diameter compared to 2-1/4″.
Snooker balls are nut numbered, unlike their pool ball counterparts and a typical set of snooker balls will consist of 15 red balls, 6 coloured balls and the white cue ball which you use to strike the target balls. Coloured snooker balls consist of green, yellow, brown, pink, blue and black and each is worth a different set of points. The player who scores the most points wins
When you feel that the time has come to invest in a snooker table of your own, you may be daunted by the array of different size variations that will be available to you. The regulation competition size snooker table is the 12′ x 6′ and has 8 legs to support the extra weight. You will require a minimum room size of approximately 22′ x 16′.
The height of the table from the floor to the top of the cushion rail should measure 34″. For the true British snooker-hall experience, this is the preferred size.
But if 12′ x 6′ is a little too big to fit in your family game room, tables also come in 10′ x 5′, 9′ x 4.5′, 8′ x 4′, and 6′ x 3′, always twice as long as they are wide. All of these size options allow for realistic play. Still, if space is really limited, tables are also available in 4′ x 2′ and are often made as fold-away tables or table-top versions.
Over the course of the last few years, the popularity of snooker has continued to grow. Already widely played in Great Britain and Ireland, the snooker bug has even reached China and other Far East countries, as well as the United States. You can even find snooker in mainstream video gaming consoles, such as Nintendo Wii’s WSC (World Snooker Championship) Real 09. Still, it will take many years to beat the real thing!
