Though billiards in general is a game often associated with the British snooker is a version which was actually created by British officers stationed in India in 1874-75. Pocket billiards or pool is the better-known American version and in fact eight-ball is the most widely played cue sport in the world.

Snooker is still an attractive and enjoyable variation for our cousins across the pond with many continuing to make snooker their alternative game of choice!

Pool tables and snooker tables are very similar in that they both have 6 pockets. The only real differences are that snooker tables have thinner cushions and more smoothly curved pocket openings. Snooker balls are what really differentiates pool from snooker in that snooker balls are noticeably smaller than regular pool balls

In addition snooker balls are unnumbered and consist of 15 solid red balls or “reds” 6 colored balls called “colors” and the white cue ball. The colored balls of yellow green brown blue pink and black are worth different point values. The object of the game is to score more points than your opponent.

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′.

You should ensure that the height of the table from the the top of the cushion rail to the floor should measure 34″. These dimensions should give you the true British snooker hall experience!

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!