If you’re new to cue sports, it’s easy to confuse snooker with pool. Both games involve striking balls with a cue on a felt-covered table. But in reality, snooker and pool are two very different games — with unique rules, equipment, strategies, and cultures. This article breaks down the key differences to help beginners understand what sets them apart.
1. Table Size and Design
Pool tables (especially 8-ball or 9-ball tables) are generally much smaller, ranging from 7 to 9 feet in length. They use wide pockets and standard green or blue cloth.
Snooker tables, on the other hand, are massive — 12 feet long — with much narrower pockets and slower cloth. These factors make potting balls in snooker far more challenging.
Beginner tip: If the table looks enormous and the balls look tiny, you’re probably looking at a snooker setup.
2. Balls and Ball Sets
In pool, the most common games (like 8-ball and 9-ball) use 15 object balls and 1 cue ball. The object balls are colorful, numbered, and often striped or solid.
In snooker, there are 22 balls:
15 red balls
6 colored balls (yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, black)
1 white cue ball
All snooker balls are smaller than pool balls and have specific point values.
3. Rules and Scoring Systems
Pool is usually won by pocketing balls in a specific order or combination. For example, in 8-ball, you must sink all your striped or solid balls, then the 8-ball.
Snooker is a frame-based scoring game. Players must alternate potting reds and colors to build points. A single frame of snooker can last over 30 minutes — even longer in pro matches.
Fun fact: A “maximum break” in snooker is 147 points — a rare and celebrated feat.
4. Strategy and Gameplay
Pool tends to be faster-paced and more aggressive. Players aim for precision shots and quick table control.
Snooker demands deep strategy, patience, and defensive play. “Safety shots” — deliberately leaving your opponent in a bad position — are a major part of the game.
Snooker also involves much more cue ball control over longer distances, making positional play more complex.
5. Culture and Global Reach
Pool is more widely played recreationally, especially in bars and pool halls across the U.S., Europe, and Southeast Asia.
Snooker, though less common in casual settings, enjoys a strong professional scene, especially in the UK, China, and parts of Asia. It’s often televised with major international tournaments.
Conclusion: Which One Is for You?
If you prefer fast, social games and want to pick up skills quickly, pool might be your sport of choice. If you enjoy precision, strategy, and longer matches with a mental challenge, snooker could win your heart.
Both games offer unique experiences and share the same core joy: mastering a cue and outwitting your opponent.
Ready to try both?
Why not challenge yourself to a game of each — and discover which cue sport you truly enjoy!