SAEDNEWS: Snooker is a game that has seen significant growth, particularly in China and India, and has now become a globally recognized sport. Here's an overview of the game and its rules.
Snooker is a sport derived from other cue sports like billiards. It was introduced as a sport in the 19th century. The first competition dedicated to snooker occurred in 1916, and the first international match took place in 1927. The sport became widely popular in the 1970s and 1980s, gaining a massive following.
In snooker, players use a cue and a white ball to pocket a set of colored balls into six pockets on the table. This must be done according to specific rules, or no points are awarded. A single round of play is called a "frame." The player who wins the most frames in a match wins the game.
A frame ends when all balls are pocketed or one player concedes.
A match ends when one player wins the majority of frames, rendering the opponent unable to catch up. For example, in a 19-frame match, the first player to win 10 frames is declared the winner.
Snooker was originally governed by the same rules as English billiards from the late 18th century until the early 20th century. It is played on a large rectangular table with six pockets, using three balls initially.
Historically, snooker enjoyed the same cultural status in England as baseball in America, and competitive snooker events were regular occurrences. The game spread to America, though its exact introduction is uncertain, with some theories suggesting it was brought by English and Indian migrants.
Snooker is a two-player game played on a defined rectangular table measuring 180x370 cm, covered with green cloth. The table has six pockets: four at the corners and two at the midpoints of the longer sides.
Baulk Line: A line near one end of the table where the green, brown, and yellow balls are placed.
D Spot: A semi-circular area from which players start.
Balls: Made from phenolic resin, measuring 52.5 mm (2.7 inches) in diameter.
15 red balls, 1 black, 1 pink, 1 blue, 1 brown, 1 green, 1 yellow, and 1 white cue ball.
Balls are placed in specific positions at the start of the game, with reds forming a triangle and colored balls positioned strategically.
Scoring is based on pocketing balls, with each ball having a specific point value:
Red ball: 1 point
Yellow ball: 2 points
Green ball: 3 points
Brown ball: 4 points
Blue ball: 5 points
Pink ball: 6 points
Black ball: 7 points
Players must first pocket a red ball, followed by a colored ball.
After pocketing a colored ball, players return to pocketing reds, repeating this pattern until all reds are gone.
Once all reds are pocketed, the remaining colored balls (excluding reds) are returned to the table in order of increasing value.
The sequence must follow from the lowest to the highest value until all balls are cleared. Snooker combines strategy, precision, and technique, making it a unique and engaging sport. Mastery requires practice, skill, and a deep understanding of its rules and gameplay.
