Snooker vs. Billiard — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 8, 2024
Snooker is played with 22 balls on a large table, focusing on strategy and precision, while billiards, or carom billiards, uses 3 balls on a smaller table, emphasizing angles and rebounds.
Difference Between Snooker and Billiard
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Snooker is a cue sport that requires players to pot a sequence of colored balls in a predefined order, played on a table that is typically 12 feet by 6 feet. It's known for its strategic depth and precision, with players scoring points for each ball potted according to its color. On the other hand, billiards, specifically carom billiards, involves only three balls (two cue balls and one object ball) and is played on a table that usually lacks pockets. The objective is to hit both the object ball and the other cue ball with the player's cue ball in a single shot.
The rules of snooker include a combination of red balls worth one point each and colored balls worth more points, requiring players to alternate between potting a red ball and a colored ball. Billiards, however, focuses on caroms—striking the two other balls with the cue ball—and does not involve potting balls into pockets. This fundamental difference in objectives showcases the unique strategies and skills required for each game.
Snooker tables are larger and equipped with pockets at the corners and sides, demanding great precision and control over the cue ball's distance and direction. In contrast, billiard tables are typically smaller, have no pockets, and are surrounded by cushions that players use to perform carom shots, emphasizing the importance of understanding angles and rebound dynamics.
The equipment used in snooker and billiards also varies. Snooker uses a set of twenty-two balls, including fifteen reds, six colors, and a cue ball, whereas carom billiards uses just three balls, making the equipment and setup simpler but the gameplay no less complex. This difference reflects the distinct nature and challenge presented by each cue sport.
Despite these differences, both snooker and billiards require a high level of skill, concentration, and tactical thinking. Players must be adept at planning their shots, predicting the outcome, and controlling the cue ball, whether they are navigating the larger snooker table or mastering the intricate rebounds of billiards.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Objective
Pot balls in sequence for points.
Execute carom shots by hitting both other balls.
Table Size
Larger (12 x 6 feet).
Smaller, size varies.
Balls
22 (15 reds, 6 colors, 1 cue ball).
3 (2 cue balls, 1 object ball).
Scoring
Points for potting balls.
Points for caroms.
Table Features
Has pockets.
No pockets, surrounded by cushions.
Skill Focus
Precision in potting and break building.
Mastery of angles and rebound control.
Compare with Definitions
Snooker
A cue sport with strategic play.
In snooker, players carefully plan their breaks to control the table.
Billiard
Scoring through carom shots.
A point in billiards is scored for each successful carom shot made.
Snooker
Involves a variety of balls.
Snooker uses fifteen red balls, each worth one point, and six colored balls with varying points.
Billiard
A cue sport emphasizing rebounds.
In billiards, scoring is achieved by caroming the cue ball off both the object balls.
Snooker
Focuses on sequence and precision.
Snooker requires players to alternate between potting red and colored balls.
Billiard
Played on a smaller table.
Billiard tables are smaller than snooker tables and have no pockets, focusing on cushion shots.
Snooker
Played on a large table.
The standard snooker table is 12 feet by 6 feet, demanding precision in long shots.
Billiard
Skills in angles and strategy.
Players must master the use of angles to succeed in carom billiards.
Snooker
Scores through potting balls.
Each successfully potted ball in snooker adds to the player's score based on its color.
Billiard
Utilizes three balls.
Carom billiards is played with two cue balls and one object ball, without any pockets on the table.
Snooker
Snooker (pronounced UK: , US: ) is a cue sport that was first played by British Army officers stationed in India in the second half of the 19th century. It is played on a rectangular table covered with a green cloth (or "baize"), with six pockets: one at each corner and one in the middle of each long side.
Billiard
Of, relating to, or used in billiards.
Snooker
Pocket billiards played with 15 red balls and 6 balls of other colors.
Billiard
See carom.
Snooker
To lead (another) into a situation in which all possible choices are undesirable; trap.
Billiard
A shot in billiards or snooker in which the cue ball strikes two other balls; a carom.
Snooker
To fool; dupe
"Snookered by a lot of malarkey about drilling costs, a Texas jury ... added $3 billion of punitive damages" (New Republic).
Billiard
(attributive) Pertaining to the game of billiards.
A billiard table; a billiard ball
Snooker
To leave one's opponent in the game of snooker unable to take a direct shot without striking a ball out of the required order.
Billiard
A dynamical system in which a particle alternates between motion in a straight line and specular reflections from a boundary.
Snooker
A cue sport, popular in the UK and other Commonwealth of Nations countries.
Billiard
1015, a thousand billion (long scale) or a million milliard.
Snooker
The situation where the cue ball is in such a position that the player cannot directly hit a legal ball with it.
Billiard
Of or pertaining to the game of billiards.
Snooker
(intransitive) To play the game of snooker. en
Billiard
Of or relating to billiards;
A billiard ball
A billiard cue
A billiard table
Snooker
(transitive) To fool or bamboozle.
Snooker
To place the cue ball in such a position that (the opponent) cannot directly hit the required ball with it.
Snooker
To put (someone) in a difficult situation.
Snooker
To become or cause to become inebriated. en
Snooker
A form of pool played with 15 red balls and six balls of other colors and a cue ball
Snooker
Fool or dupe;
He was snookered by the con-man's smooth talk
Snooker
Leave one's opponent unable to take a direct shot
Common Curiosities
Are snooker and billiards played on the same table?
No, they are played on different tables. Snooker tables are larger with pockets, while billiard tables are smaller and lack pockets.
How do you score points in snooker and billiards?
In snooker, points are scored by potting balls into pockets in sequence. In billiards, points are scored through carom shots.
Can the skills required for snooker be applied to billiards?
While some skills overlap, such as cue ball control, each game has unique aspects that require specific strategies and techniques.
What's the main difference between snooker and billiards?
The main difference lies in their objectives, table size, and ball arrangement, with snooker focusing on potting balls and billiards on carom shots.
Can billiards help improve my snooker game?
Playing billiards can improve aspects of your snooker game, particularly in areas like shot precision and control.
What equipment is unique to snooker?
Snooker uniquely uses twenty-two balls, including fifteen reds, six colors, and a cue ball.
Is there a world championship for both snooker and billiards?
Yes, there are world championship tournaments for both snooker and billiards, highlighting the global popularity and competitive nature of both cue sports.
Which game is more difficult, snooker or billiards?
Difficulty is subjective and can depend on a player's skills and preferences; both games require high levels of skill and precision.
What makes a successful snooker or billiards player?
Success in both games requires a combination of technical skill, strategic thinking, mental discipline, and continuous practice.
What is a "carom" in billiards?
A carom is a shot in which the cue ball hits the two other balls in one stroke, scoring a point.
Which game has a higher strategy component?
Both games have significant strategy components, but snooker may offer more complexity due to the variety of balls and scoring opportunities.
Are there any famous players known for both snooker and billiards?
While some players excel in both, most professionals specialize in one game due to the distinct skills and strategies required.
How do the cultural perceptions of snooker and billiards differ?
Cultural perceptions vary, with snooker often seen as more popular in countries like the UK and billiards in places like France and the Netherlands.
How long does a typical game of snooker vs. billiards last?
The length of a game can vary widely based on the players' skill levels; snooker matches can last longer due to the higher number of balls.
What's the best way to learn snooker or billiards?
Learning from a coach, practicing regularly, and studying professional matches are effective ways to improve in either game.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Malnutrition vs. Undernutrition
Next Comparison
W vs. MAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
