Many people have this misconception that pool, snooker and billiards all three are same when it comes to their rules playing level etc, but in today’s article i will be going to tell the that what are the differences between pool snooker and billiards but before that let us first understand the history or origin of all the three games seperately so that you can get a good idea about all of them so let’s get started with their history first.
Pool History
The history of pool is way similar to billiards as the game is root of billiards.As we move forward with the differences of all the three games you will get in depth idea of how pool becomes an extended version of billiard and what are the differences between pool snooker and billiards.
The word pool has been generally used in betting games like as in casino’s and betting parlours where many people pool their money in order to win big,but this game is nothing to do with betting or some money related but this game has been played since ages.In previous times pool tables are mostly found in the horse racing area where the horse betters generally pass their time while the race was going onn and in this way the origin of pool game happened.
Billiards History
Billiards game was first similar game of the fifeteenth century game named croquet,which is very popular in the nothern side of the europe continent.The croquet game was mostly played by wealthy people or people who are considered as rich at that time and thus this game evolved from that time till now and has been taken a huge change by becoming an indoor sport from an outdoor sport.
Billiards name was taken from the french language word called as ‘bille’ which means a ball and wooden sticks which are used to play the game.
Many changes have been there in the game from changes of table to the changes in rules of this game billiards game has evolved a lot as compared to any other game of this type.
Snooker History
Snooker is the youngest sport of all the three sports.Snooker was first termed by a liutenant who’s name is Neville Chamberlian who wanted to change certain things in the game named ‘black pool’ where their were only a black ball and 15 red balls,he introduced 5 more colors in the game and named the game as snooker which comes from the newbies of the RMA(Royal Military Academy) that are called ‘snookers’.
Snooker has not undergone much changes overtime because it has been discovered recently few years back and also many people think that it is a complete sport and does not need much modification.
What is Billiards
Many people think that billiards is a game which is also known as carrom or carambola billiards,but the truth is that it is a sport which comprises of cue sticks and 3 billiard balls which the player have to strike.The key difference between carrom and billiards is that the tables have cushions all around and only three balls are on the table.
Summary of Billiards game
Billiards is a game which has a table with cushions all around it and there are no pockets on the table and only 3 balls are in use while playing billiards.
What is Pool
Pool is often confused as billiards because of some reasons i have told you above.Pool is a game which more popular in the US including the australia.Pool is a minor version of snooker.
Summary of Pool game
Pool game has 16 balls in total which comprises stiped balls and solid balls in which each player has to pot their chosen balls as fast as they can in order to win the game.
16 balls include 15 object balls and one cue ball.Pool table is very different from snooker or billiard tables,Pool table has six pockets whereas billiard tables don;t have any pockets and snooker table when compared to pool table the major difference between both of them is the size of the tables.
You can find snooker table upto 12feet but pool tables are not found big in shape and sizes.that is why they differ from each other.
What is snooker
Snooker is the most popular sport as compared to billiards and pool.In snooker their are 6colored balls,cue ball,and 15 red balls in this game you have to make the maximum score in order to win the game
But how snooker game works:
In snooker player has to first pot a red ball which has 1 point and they only he or she can play any color they want.
Yellow ball holds 2 points.
Green ball holds 3 points.
Brown ball holds 4 points.
Blue ball holds 5 points
Pink ball holds 6 points
Black ball holds 7 points
The maximum break in snooker is 147 which means a player has to pot black ball after every red and all the 6 colors at last in order to make a 147 break.Making a 147 break is very hard for anyone,it requires years of practice and a calm attitude while playing the game.
Summary of Snooker
Snooker has been gaining too much audience these days because of its competitive edge as compared to rest of the above games.
In order to master snooker you have to practice continuosly for years and years,practice drills, right mentor etc
Key differences in all the three games
Difference on the basis of rules
Firstly let us talk about the billiard game,In billiards you have to continously strike the other two balls with the cue ball to gain points,No need to pot any ball just striking the cue ball with the other two balls is the main objective of the game.
Now in pool as i have told you that there are 16 balls in total which consist of 7 striped balls,7solid balls,1 black or the 8th ball and last the cue ball.The main objective in this game is to pot the solid balls f you have selected solid in the first chance and vice versa but atlast to win the game you have to pot the 8 ball which is the winning ball of the game to win the game.
At last about the snooker,In this game you have to score more points by potting colored balls on every red you take.
I hope i have cleared your doubts regarding what are the differences between pool,snooker and billiards.
Difference on the basis of table
Billiards and pool are normally played on a seven feet table.But in professional tournaments the size of the billiards table is bigger than of the pool table,it can goes upto 8-9 feet.
Now in snooker game the size of the table varies for example the english variant of the snooker table is 12feet but the american variant is around 10 feet in its length.
Billiard tables as i have already mentioned above do not have pockets but both snooker and pool tables have pockets in them.
Difference on the basis of accessories
On the basis of accessories all the three games differ from each other.
If we see the cues of all the three games you will find that billiards and pool generally have same type of cues with wider tip but in snooker the cues are not wider from tip and also the length of the pool cues and billiard cues is less than the length of the snooker cues.
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FAQS
Q1)Is pool and snooker table the same?
Snooker tables often have larger, lower-set frames than pool tables, but they also have smaller pockets. The length of a full-size UK snooker table is 12 feet and 6 feet, which is twice as long as a 6 foot pool table. The cloth used on pool tables is also used on snooker tables.
Q2)Which is easier pool or snooker?
Snooker players have better mechanics than pool players, which is a clear-cut and accurate response. Because snooker tables are bigger and have smaller pockets, these mechanisms have developed over time and are now necessary. Therefore, the most important skill in snooker is “accuracy.”
Conclusion
I hope that i have cleared all your doubts regarding what are the differences between pool snooker and billiards but i you have any other query regarding any difference you can click here.
