subject: How To Play The Game Of Snooker [print this page] How To Play The Game Of Snooker How To Play The Game Of Snooker
The game of Snooker is a cue sport with its roots dating to the late 19th century. It is usually played on a green baize covered snooker table measuring 12 * 6 ft. The table has 6 pockets one in each corner as well as a one in the centre of each long sided cushion. The game is played with 21 balls - 15 red and 6 colours yellow, green, brown, blue, pink and black. The object of the game is to outscore your opponent by using the white ball and a snooker cue to pot all of the different balls.
The game of snooker originated in the late 19th century and came from a similar game - billiards which was played by British officers stationed in India.
In the late 1920's we the World Snooker Championship began and was organized by Joe Davis who was a very popular player back then. Snooker then grew greatly in popularity throughout the 20th century. Today snooker has become a very popular sport in this country and also has a massive following in China and far eastern countries.
The objective of the game is to score as many points as possible by potting balls in sequence. Each player takes their turn at the table until they miss a shot or foul. Each player has to first pot a red before potting a colour which must be nominated. After all the red balls are potted then the colours must be potted in sequence: yellow, green, brown, blue, pink and then black. If a player misses a ball or fouls it is then the opposing players turn.
A foul is if any of the following are met:
A ball is touched or moved with any part of the body or cue except the tip.
The cue ball does not make contact with the ball attempted
The white ball is potted unintentially also referred to as "in off"
The cue ball goes off the table
An un-nominated colour is potted or hit.
There are many different types of snooker equipment needed to play snooker:
A cue - snooker cues can vary a great deal. Almost all cues are ash made (however some are maple) All cues require a leather tip and all must be longer than 3ft.
A snooker table 12ft long and 6ft wide. All competition standard snooker tables are this length however you can buy home tables which can be as small as 4ft long.
Snooker balls In competition all games are played with 15 reds and 6 colours.
Chalk, a scoreboard and rests are also very useful but not essential items.
