Snooker vs Pool: What’s The Difference Between Pool, Billiards & Snooker?
Posted by Home Billiards on 27th Oct 2022
In the minds of many casual players, the differences between pool, billiards, and snooker are negligible if not nonexistent. While all three cue sports share some similarities, they all have their own nuances and set of rules. In this article, we will explain how each game is its own form of entertainment that requires its own unique equipment to be played in its purest form.
- What is pool?
- What is billiards?
- What is snooker?
- Ball differences
- Table differences
- Snooker vs pool vs billiards comparison table
- Common questions about the differences between snooker, pool and billiards
What is pool?
Originally, pool was a croquet-like game played outdoors, but it has since evolved to be an indoor activity. The game's rules allow for a lot of variety depending on the number of balls in play or if there are teams involved. The most common type is 8-ball pool, which is played with 16 numbered balls, with numbers 1 through 7 being solid colours and numbers 9 to 15 striped. Number 8 is kept black. To win this version of pool, you have to pocket all seven of your designated balls (stripes or solids) and then push the number 8-ball into a called pocket. You also win if your opponent accidentally pots the 8-ball.
Another popular form is 9 ball pool, which uses 9 numbered balls and a cue ball. The winner is the player who pockets the number 9 ball at any point during the game. (The order doesn't matter.)
3-ball pool is a quicker variant of the game that uses three balls. The person who can pocket all three balls with the lowest amount of shots is the winner.
Expert Advice: Learn how to rack a pool table for these games ane more.
What is billiards?
Billiards is the common term for carambola billiards. It's often seen as the same game as pool - and billiards was created in similar conditions to pool - but their differences lie in where the games are played (pool is more known outside of America) and how each game is scored.
Carambola billiards is played with a set of 3 balls: one red and two white, one of which is marked. To know who starts the game, you will have to string, which can be based on an imaginary line (head string) or the number of wins (scoring string). To score points, also known as counts, you have to accomplish one of the following tasks:
- Using the cue ball to hit the other cue ball and then hit the red ball next (2 points)
- Pot the red ball (3)
- Hitting the red ball first and then one cue ball (2)
- Hit the red and the other cue ball at the same time (2)
Just like with most games, the player or team with the highest score wins.
What is snooker?
Snooker was invented in the late 1800s by army officer Sir Neville Chamberlain, and his fellow British soldiers popularized the game throughout Indian colonies. The name of the game was derived from a derogatory term for rookie personnel in the military. It found life back home as a gentleman's sport before becoming a more widespread pastime. Snooker's rules were first established in 1919 and the professional game is governed by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association.
Snooker is played with 15 red balls and six other balls coloured yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, and black. The game is organized into frames, which players win one by one by pocketing more red and coloured balls than their opponent. Each coloured ball has its own value. Snooker's points system goes like this:
- Red: 1 point
- Yellow: 2 points
- Green: 3 points
- Brown: 4 points
- Blue: 5 points
- Pink: 6 points
- Black: 7 points
Repeatedly pocketing red balls isn't allowed. Each red ball should be followed by one of the other coloured balls first before pocketing another red one. Pocketing the wrong ball is called a foul. When fouls occur, you do not earn any points and your opponent immediately gets another turn.
Ball differences
The differences in the balls needed to play snooker, billiards, and pool is not just in the number of them, but in their size.
To play snooker, you need:
- One white ball known as the striker ball
- 15 red balls
- Six other balls, one for the following colours: brown, yellow, pink, black, green, and blue
- Each ball should be 2 1/16 inches in diameter
Billiards requires:
- Three balls, one for each colour: white, yellow, and red
- White and yellow act as the striker
- Each ball should be 2 7/16 inches in diameter
Pool standards differ depending on the type of game you're playing, but the balls do have to be 2 1/4 inches in diameter.
Table differences
The subtle distinction between these cue sports is also apparent in the tables built for these games. Snooker tables are generally larger than pool or billiards tables. The English versions are massive twelve-footers, while the American variants are closer to ten feet long. Snooker tables have six pockets, but those pockets are smaller and narrower than the ones found on pool tables.
Pool tables also have six pockets, but the tables are usually seven to nine feet in length. Seven-foot tables are sometimes known as a bar table, eight-foot tables are called a home or recreational table, and nine-foot tables are referred to as a pro or tournament table.
Billiards can be played on a pool table, but the tables built specifically for the game do not come with pockets. Tournament tables for billiards are usually nine feet long.
Pool, Billiards, and snooker are all great games for kids and adults alike, but it's important to know which game you want to play the most and what size of table best fits your living situation before spending any money.
Snooker vs pool vs billiards comparison table
| Feature | Pool | Billiards (Carom) | Snooker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Evolved from outdoor croquet-like games | Similar origins to pool, but distinct | Invented in late 1800s by British army officers |
| Number of Balls | 8-ball: 16 (15 + cue); 9-ball: 9 + cue | 3 (red, white, yellow) | 22 (15 red, 6 colored, 1 white cue) |
| Ball Size | 2 1/4 inches | 2 7/16 inches | 2 1/16 inches |
| Table Size | 7–9 feet (6 pockets) | 9 feet (no pockets) | 10–12 feet (6 smaller pockets) |
| Pocket Type | Large pockets | No pockets | Small, narrow pockets |
| Objective | Pocket all designated balls, then 8-ball (or 9-ball) | Score points by caroms (striking balls in sequence) | Score most points by potting balls in specific order |
| Scoring System | Varies by game type (e.g., 8-ball, 9-ball) | Points for specific caroms | Points based on ball values (1–7) |
Can you play snooker on a pool table?
You can play a version of snooker on a pool table, but it differs from standard snooker. Pool tables are smaller and have wider pockets, affecting gameplay and accuracy. Players often use modified rules and fewer balls to adapt snooker to the pool table’s dimensions and conditions.
Here's a bit more detail.
While snooker and pool share some similarities, they are two distinct games played on different tables with different rules and equipment.
Snooker is played on a larger table with smaller pockets and smaller balls. The balls used in snooker are also numbered differently and have a different colour scheme. The objective of snooker is to score points by potting balls in a specific order, with each ball having a different point value.
Pool, on the other hand, is played on a smaller table with larger pockets and larger balls. The balls used in pool are numbered from 1 to 15, with seven solid-coloured balls, seven striped balls, and a black 8-ball. The objective of pool is to pocket all of your designated balls and then pot the 8-ball to win the game.
Common questions about the differences between snooker, pool and billiards
What are the main differences in cue sticks used for pool, snooker, and carom billiards?
The main difference between pool cues, snooker cues, and carom billiards cue sticks is their size and tip diameter. Pool cues are 57–59 inches long with a 12–13 mm tip. Snooker cues are thinner at 57–58 inches with 9–10 mm tips. Carom cues are shorter (54–56 inches) with thick 11–12 mm tips and no ferrule.
How does table cloth material affect gameplay in different cue sports?
Table cloth material affects gameplay by altering ball speed, spin, and control across cue sports. Pool uses faster nylon-wool blends for quick shots. Snooker uses finer, napped wool for precision and spin. Carom billiards uses slick, napless cloth to maximize rebound and speed in three-cushion play.
Are there international organizations or governing bodies for each major cue sport?
Yes, each major cue sport has its own international governing body. The World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) governs pool. The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) oversees snooker. The Union Mondiale de Billard (UMB) regulates carom billiards. These bodies set rules, host events, and manage rankings globally.
What are some popular variations or lesser-known types of cue sports besides pool, snooker, and carom billiards?
Popular variations and lesser-known cue sports include English billiards, a mix of carom and pocket play; three-cushion billiards, a carom variant requiring three rail contacts; and artistic billiards, focused on trick shots. Others like bumper pool, Russian pyramid, and Chinese eight-ball offer regional and stylistic diversity.
How do professional players train differently for pool, snooker, and carom billiards?
Professional players train differently for each cue sport by focusing on sport-specific skills. Pool players emphasize shot variety, speed, and position play. Snooker training centers on long potting, precision, and safety play. Carom players focus on angles, spin control, and three-rail calculations through repetitive drills.
Conclusion
Home Billiards is here to satisfy your cue sport table needs. Not only do we sell pool tables, we can also customize them to suit your preferences and budget to perfection.
If you'd like to try before you buy, stop by our billiards store in Vancouver and visit the showroom to see some of our merchandise in-person and talk through your decision process with our helpful staff. We provide free delivery and installation of pool tables to anyone in the Greater Vancouver area.