Struggling to Tell Snooker from Billiards? This Guide Will Clear It Up!​

Billiards, also known as pool or pocket billiards, first emerged in Europe, later making its way to the United States and eventually reaching China. In recent years, there has been a surge in the popularity of billiards in China. Whether in entertainment venues or narrow street alleys, billiards games are a common sight. This Western sport has been wholeheartedly embraced by Chinese people, becoming a favored form of fitness and entertainment.​
Snooker, or English billiards, is a type of billiards game. The term “snooker” means “hindrance” or “obstacle,” which is why snooker is sometimes referred to as obstacle billiards. In this sport, the sequence of play involves hitting a red ball followed by a colored ball until all red balls are potted. Then, players strike the balls in the order of yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, and black. The player with the highest score at the end emerges victorious.​

Now, the question arises: What are the differences between billiards and snooker in terms of the number of balls, ball size, rules, gameplay, and scoring?​
Number of Balls​
Billiards: Typically, there are fewer balls. Common variants include eight-ball (with a total of 15 balls) and nine-ball.​
Snooker: A larger number of balls are used, consisting of 15 red balls (each worth 1 point) and 6 colored balls of different hues.​
Ball Size​
Billiards: The balls are relatively large, with a diameter of around 5 centimeters.​
Snooker: The balls are smaller, approximately 3 centimeters in diameter.​
Rules​

Billiards: Initially, there were only two balls on the billiards table. In 1775, the French added a red ball, and the British soon followed suit. At this point, there were three balls on the table, and this style of play was named “carom.” Players scored points by pocketing their opponent’s ball or hitting two balls simultaneously, known as a “cannon.”​
Snooker: During a match, players use the same cue ball to strike the target balls. There are 21 target balls in total: 15 red balls worth 1 point each, a yellow ball worth 2 points, a green ball worth 3 points, a brown ball worth 4 points, a blue ball worth 5 points, a pink ball worth 6 points, and a black ball worth 7 points. The standard sequence of play requires players to alternate between potting red and colored balls until all red balls are off the table. Then, they must pot the colored balls in ascending order of their point values.​
Scoring Rules​
Billiards: In both pocket billiards and colored billiards, the primary way to score is by potting balls. For example, in pocket billiards, using the white ball as the cue ball, potting a red ball while the cue ball also goes in scores 3 points, potting a white ball while the cue ball goes in scores 2 points, and if the cue ball pots itself, 3 points are deducted. In four-ball billiards, hitting two balls simultaneously is the only way to score. The first player to reach the predetermined score wins.​
Snooker: The playing sequence is a red ball followed by a colored ball until all red balls are potted, after which players pot the colored balls in the order of yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, and black. The player with the highest score wins. Each red ball is worth 1 point, the yellow ball is 2 points, the green ball is 3 points, the brown ball is 4 points, the blue ball is 5 points, the pink ball is 6 points, and the black ball is 7 points. Additionally, if a player commits a foul, points are generally added to the opponent’s score. Fouls while hitting a red ball result in a 4-point penalty (4 points added to the opponent’s score). If the ball involved in the foul is worth less than 4 points, a 4-point penalty still applies; if it’s worth more than 4 points, the penalty is equal to the value of that colored ball.​
Gameplay​
Billiards: As an indoor sport that combines physical activity, skill, and strategy, billiards offers various playing techniques. Common methods include the straight long shot, diagonal long shot, short shot, center shot, standing shot, and push shot.​
Snooker: The game can be played by two or more players individually or in teams. Players use the white ball to strike red and colored balls alternately, potting them one by one. During a single shot, the value of each potted live ball is added to the player’s score. Once all red balls are potted, players hit the colored balls in the order of yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, and black. Points deducted for a player’s fouls are added to the opponent’s score. The player or team that wins the most frames in the match is declared the winner.​

Table Dimensions​
The standard dimensions for Chinese eight-ball tables are 2850*1560*850mm.​
American-style tables typically measure 2810*1530*840mm.​
Snooker tables have a standard size of 3820*1780*850mm. SPKI Billiards, a manufacturer specializing in mid-to-high-end billiards tables, ensures that its products meet international standards, delivering a tournament-level playing experience. As a direct factory, we offer competitive prices. If you’re in the market for a billiards table, feel free to contact us!