Snooker is an intellectual billiard game where the rules are specific, where experienced players calculate their actions several moves ahead. The aim of the game is to score as many balls as possible and get as many points on your account as possible within the rules of the game. Is snooker a sport? That’s right, it is a form of pool and involves a certain amount of skill without any physical injury.
Snooker as a professional sport is currently managed by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. The World Snooker Championship was first held in 1927. Joe Davis, a key figure and pioneer in the early development of the sport, won fifteen consecutive World Championships between 1927 and 1946.
The snooker players ranking are updated after the end of the Championship League. It can be viewed on the official World Snooker website. The top five for the 2024 season include such players as:
- Mark Allen;
- Judd Trump;
- Kyren Wilson;
- Luca Brecel;
- Ronnie O’Sullivan.
The current world number one Ronnie O’Sullivan, nicknamed ‘Rocket’, is snooker’s biggest star. The Romford native is known for his incredible strokes, fiery temper and ability to play with both hands. He has won seven World Snooker Championships to date.
What is the snooker game history?
The game itself originated in the second half of the 19th century in India during the British Raj. In the 1870s billiards was popular among the officers of the British army and at that time several variants of the game were invented. Classic billiards remained more popular until the 1930s of the 20th century when finally snooker took over, mainly due to the efforts of the legendary Joe Davis. The advent of television soon increased the popularity of the sport and the World Snooker Championship has been one of the most popular programs since the early 1970s.
How to play snooker, what are the rules of the game?
Snooker is played with 15 red balls, 6 colored balls and 1 cue ball. The objective is to get the red ball into the hole first, then the colored ball, then the red ball, then the colored ball and so on. This sequence of red and colored balls continues until all the balls are in the hole. If you fail to get the correct ball into the hole, it is the opposing player’s turn.
The World Snooker Governing Body WPBSA is responsible for administering the official rules of the games, snooker and billiards.
If we talk about equipment used in snooker, it is a separate and important detail of any game and tournament. A standard set of snooker balls consists of 15 red, 6 colored and 1 white – bit. The balls must be made of a material approved by the Association. Additional equipment required by the players for a full game is located on a special rack under the board.
How are snooker scores?
Players get one point for a red, after which they must choose a color for the next shot. Black is worth seven points and is the most valuable color, followed by pink (six), blue (five), brown (four), green (three) and yellow (two). The snooker ball points and order are extremely important, so you need to know them perfectly or you won’t be able to be the best. This is the basis of any sports game, so you can find your trump card in front of your opponent and win.
What is the difference between pool and snooker?
The difference is quite big, snooker is more difficult than pool, that’s a fact. Snooker requires complex technique to hit accurate shots. Strict rules and long matches are only suitable for professionals. Pool is characterized by a faster pace of play as the game is played on a smaller table and there are fewer balls to hit. Snooker is more tactical, where you have to hit a ball (red or colored) and set the cue for the next shot, it is a slower and more difficult game.
What varieties of snooker are there today?
The popularity of snooker has led to the game having many variations. Therefore, everyone can choose the right style and look for themselves in this exciting sporting game. The variety of snooker is divided into such as:
- American Snooker;
- Power Snooker;
- Sinuca Brasileira;
- Six-red Snooker;
- Snooker Plus;
- Snookerpool;
- Snookerpool Rapide.
Each view is beautiful in its own way and helps to enhance your skills in the game. If you want to become a professional and not just an amateur, you should choose the most suitable type of snooker and train with strong players. The object of snooker is to score more points than your opponent by hitting certain balls with the cue.
For example, the English Amateur Tour is the flagship national amateur snooker events, open to all and qualifying for the European Billiards and Snooker Championships.
Schedule 2024/25
- August 31 – September 1 | Event 1 – Landywood Snooker Club, Walsall;
- October 26-27 | Event 2 – Northern Snooker Centre, Leeds;
- November 16-17 | Event 3 – The 200 Club, Manchester;
- November 30 – December 1 | Event 4 – Frames Sports Bar, Coulsdon;
- January 4-5 | Event 5 – Landywood Snooker Club, Walsall.
If you want to know and keep up to date with the latest snooker news, it is advised to visit https://www.wst.tv/. There is everything you need for amateurs and professionals of this game. The schedule of upcoming most prestigious snooker tournaments and the list of ranked players, as well as the opportunity to buy tickets for the brightest events of this year.
Are women playing snooker professionally?
Snooker is considered a traditionally male sport, but in recent years we have seen an increase in the number of women playing at an elite level. However, women playing snooker still face many challenges on their journey in the game. Let’s start with the most professional female snooker players at a professional level. Their journey provides inspiration and optimism for the future of women playing snooker. We would like to recognize these particular female snooker players for their achievements and awards:
- Rhianna Evans;
- Nutcharut Wongharuthai;
- Ng On-yee;
- Maria Catalano.
Rhianna Evans, the greatest snooker player of all time, has been in the competition since she first entered the women’s arena 20 years ago. Born in Blackpool in 1984, she first picked up a cue at the age of 12 and showed an innate aptitude for the game from an early age.
- Winner of 10 Women’s World Snooker Championship titles between 2005 and 2019, the most of any player.
- First ever woman to compete in the 2010 World Snooker Championship Main Draw, defeating Nigel Bond 10-9 in the final qualifying round.
- Currently ranked 50th in the world snooker singles rankings, making her the highest-ranked woman in the history of the sport.
She is a five-time winner of the World Women’s Billiards and Snooker Association’s Player of the Year award.
Who is playing snooker today?
Today every amateur or interested in snooker has a great opportunity to find out who is playing in the elite competition. There are channels with live broadcasts and accurate snooker schedules for you. Official snooker sites provide the most accurate and reliable information about players, scores, ratings, statistics of face-to-face meetings and so on. These sites list the players and their names who are or will be playing in the various competitions and additional information about each.