Stylish suits, smokey rooms, and a whiskey bottle next to the table; there was a time when we considered snooker as the game of class that only a few men could play.
These men inspired many and showed how elegant the game is and how mesmerizing the shots can be!
We wanted to learn the game, to make those cool shots, and to show off our skills.
However, not everyone is aware of how much dedication and patience this game requires, and how hard the rules and terms of this sport can be.
As a result, when a beginner starts to play snooker, it doesn’t take much time before he quits.
To solve this problem, in this post, we’ll cover everything a beginner needs to learn about snooker.
So, without any further delay, let’s dive right into our topic.
The Basics of the Snooker
Snooker terms
Bolt: the bottom half of the table
Balk: the top half of the table
Balkline: Line separating the balk and bolt of the table
The D: the D shape on the top of the table
Pack: the triangle of red balls
Frame: each round of snooker game
Maximum: top scores a player can achieve (147 points)
Break: total points scored in a single turn
Century: Scoring 100 points in a single turn
Free ball: you can hit any ball after your opponent makes a foul and leaves you unable to hit the ball you needed to.
Potting: putting the balls in snooker pockets (side holes)
Equipment
Like every individual sport, snooker requires a unique set of tools.
The equipment includes:
Essential Tools
- A cue, a wooden stick by which you hit the white ball
- A cue ball and 21 object balls
- Snooker table
Extra Tools
- The rest – helps in reaching the cue ball at a longer distance
- The cue extension – makes the cue longer
- The spider – helps in bridging the cue when you have to hit the ball from a height at a longer distance
- Chalk- prevents the cue tip from slipping
Snooker Ball Values
Typically, a snooker game consists of 22 balls on the table (1 cue ball and 21 object balls).
The white ball or the cue ball helps in potting the other balls.
The fifteen red balls are each worth 1 point when potted.
The other six balls include the yellow ball worth 2 points, green 3, brown 4, blue 5, pink 6, and black worth 7 points.
The Gameplay
The Setup
The game begins with a typical setup of the balls in their proper positions.
- Place the white ball anywhere in the D section.
- Place the green, brown, and yellow balls at the balkline.
- Place the green on the left, brown in the middle, and the yellow at the right.
- Place the blue ball in the middle of the table, between the brown and the pink ball.
- Place the pink ball 36 inches from the bottom, keeping it in line with the top red ball.
- Place the black ball 14.75 inches from the bottom.
- Place the red balls in a tightly packed triangle; the top ball should be right behind the pink ball.
The Breakoff
As the name implies, we have to break off the position of the balls, specifically the red balls.
However, we have to release the least amount of balls so that our opponent does not have a clear shot on any ball.
The Middle Game
After the break-off, your opponent takes the turn and tries to pot in a red ball.
A player continues his turn until he fails to pot a ball or commits a foul.
Some things to keep in mind during the middle game are:
- You have to alternate between potting red and colored balls. For example, if you pot a red ball in one shot, you must pot a colored ball in the next one.
- Once potted, the red balls stay in the pocket while the colored ones are placed back on their original position.
- The game continues this way till all the red balls are in the pockets.
The End Game
After putting all the red balls into the pockets, you have to pot the colored balls.
However, this time we will not take the colored balls out of their pockets.
The ball with the least value is potted first, then the second least, and this sequence continues till the black ball is potted.
In the end, we sum up the values of the balls potted by each player, and the person with the higher score wins.
Fouls of the Snooker
The most common fouls that occur during the game are the following:
- The cue ball ends up in the pocket or jumps off the table; your opponent receives 4 points in each case.
- You didn’t touch any ball after cueing; your opponent gets 4 points.
- You hit or pot a ball you didn’t intend to; your opponent receives 4-7 points depending upon the value of the ball.
For example, if you pot the pink ball instead of brown, 6 points will be awarded to the opponent.
Tips to Improve Snooker as a Beginner
Learn the Technique
Snooker is a sport of pure skill.
As a beginner, your priority should not be to pocket as many balls as possible, but to learn the proper technique behind each skill.
The better way to learn any technique is to break it down into smaller steps and then master each step one by one.
Practice
Ever wondered what helped Joe Davis to become the undisputed king of the World Snooker Championships? Or What made Ronnie “the rocket” champion of snooker?
Yes, practice, practice, and practice!
Have a Snooker Table in Your Home
Having a snooker table available all the time ensures daily practice and consistency.
Consequently, this is one of the most vital components that can change your game from an unskilled beginner to a snooker master in the shortest amount of time!
Choose the Cue Wisely
If you want to play with your full potential, your snooker cue should be in sync with your playing style.
The snooker cues come in a different size, weight, and material.
Some people prefer a lighter cue, while some owe their games to the heavier ones. Ultimately, it comes down to your natural preference.
So, choose your partner with care, and it will help you get more points in every single game.
If you want to know more about the snooker cues, then head over to the top snooker cues of 2020.