WHAT IS SNOOKER GAME
What is Snooker?
Snooker is a cue sport played on a rectangular table covered with green cloth (baize), using a cue stick and balls. It originated in the 19th century among British Army officers in India and has since become a popular professional sport, especially in the UK, China, and Europe.
Key Features of Snooker
- Table:
- Larger than a pool table (12 ft × 6 ft).
- Has 6 pockets (one at each corner and two in the middle of the long sides).
- Balls:
- 1 white cue ball (used to strike other balls).
- 15 red balls (worth 1 point each).
- 6 colored balls with different point values:
- Yellow (2), Green (3), Brown (4), Blue (5), Pink (6), Black (7).
- Objective:
- Players take turns potting (pocketing) balls to score points.
- The player with the highest score at the end wins the frame (a single game).
- A match consists of multiple frames (e.g., best of 9, 17, or 35 in major tournaments).
Basic Rules
- Starting the Game:
- Players decide who breaks (starts) by a coin toss or lag shot.
- The first shot must hit a red ball.
- Scoring Sequence:
- Red & Color Alternation:
- A player must first pot a red (1 pt), then a color (chosen by the player, points vary).
- The colored ball is then placed back on its original spot.
- This continues until all reds are potted.
- Final Phase (Colors Only):
- After all reds are gone, players must pot the colors in order (yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, black).
- Red & Color Alternation:
- Fouls & Penalties:
- Hitting the wrong ball, missing all balls, or potting the cue ball (scratch) results in a 4-7 point penalty (depending on the foul).
- The opponent gets the next turn.
- Winning:
- The player with the most points when all balls are potted wins the frame.
- If scores are tied after all balls are potted, a re-spotted black (black ball shootout) decides the winner.
Snooker vs. Pool (8-Ball, 9-Ball)
| Feature | Snooker | Pool (8-Ball) |
|---|---|---|
| Table Size | 12 ft × 6 ft | 7-9 ft |
| Balls | 21 (15 reds + 6 colors) | 16 (1 cue + 15 object balls) |
| Scoring | Reds (1) + Colors (2-7) | Solids & Stripes (1-7, 9-15) |
| Complexity | More strategic, longer games | Faster, simpler rules |
Famous Snooker Players
- Ronnie O’Sullivan (Fastest maximum break: 147 in 5 mins 8 secs)
- Stephen Hendry (7-time World Champion)
- Judd Trump (Modern aggressive player)
- Ding Junhui (Top Chinese player)
Why Play Snooker?
✅ Improves focus, strategy, and precision.
✅ More challenging than pool due to tighter pockets and table size.
✅ Popular in professional tournaments (World Championship, UK Championship).
Would you like details on how to play, strategies, or famous matches? 🎱