What Is the Difference Between Billiards, Pool, and Snooker?

Have you ever walked into a game room and seen a big green table with balls on it? You might call it “pool,” but did you know it could also be “snooker” or “billiards”?

Many people think these three words mean the same thing. But they are actually three completely different sports! It’s like comparing baseball, cricket, and softball. They all use a bat and a ball, but the rules and equipment are totally different.

If you want to know the difference between pool and billiards or snooker vs pool, you are in the right place. This guide will explain everything you need to know in a way that is super easy to understand.

The Core Definitions: What Are They?

Before we look at the tables and balls, let’s define what each game actually is.

What is Pool (Pocket Billiards)?

Pool is the game you probably know best. It is the one you see in bowling alleys, arcades, and pizza shops.

• The Main Feature: It has 6 pockets (holes) where you try to sink the balls.
• The Balls: It usually uses 16 balls (solids and stripes).
• The Goal: To knock your balls into the pockets and finish by sinking the black 8-ball.

What is Snooker?

Snooker is like the “big brother” of pool. It is very popular in the United Kingdom and China.

• The Main Feature: The table is huge! It also has 6 pockets, but they are smaller and tighter.
• The Balls: It uses 22 balls that are smaller than pool balls.
• The Goal: To score points by potting red balls and colored balls in a specific order. It is a game of extreme skill and patience.

What is Billiards (Carom)?

Here is where it gets tricky. The word “billiards” is often used as a name for all these games. But technically, Billiards refers to Carom Billiards.

• The Main Feature: The table has NO pockets. That’s right, zero holes!
• The Balls: It uses only 3 balls.
• The Goal: You don’t try to sink balls. Instead, you try to bounce your cue ball off the other two balls to score a point. It is a game of geometry.

Snooker vs. Billiards vs. Pool: Equipment Differences

The biggest reason these games are different is the equipment. Let’s look at the difference between snooker and pool tables and balls.

1. Table Size and Dimensions

Imagine trying to play ping pong on a tennis court. That is how different these tables are!

• Pool Table: These are the smallest. A standard bar table is 7 feet long. A professional tournament table is 9 feet long.
• Snooker Table: These are giants! A full-size snooker table is 12 feet long. That is almost as long as a Volkswagen Beetle car! Because the table is so big, you have to be a very good shot to hit a ball at the other end.
• Billiards Table: These are usually about 9.3 feet long (slightly bigger than a pool table) but remember—they have no pockets.

2. The Balls (Size and Quantity)

If you held a pool ball and a snooker ball, you would feel the difference immediately.

• Pool Balls: There are 16 balls (1 white cue ball, 7 solids, 7 stripes, 1 black 8-ball). They are big and heavy (about 2.25 inches wide). They make a loud “clack” sound when they hit.
• Snooker Balls: There are 22 balls (1 white, 15 reds, and 6 special colors like yellow, green, and pink). They are smaller and lighter (about 2.1 inches wide).
• Billiards Balls: There are only 3 balls (1 red, 1 white, 1 yellow). These are actually the biggest and heaviest of all, because they need to bounce around the table a lot.

3. Pockets and Rails

• Pool Pockets: The pockets on a pool table are wide and have angled openings. They are “forgiving,” which means if your aim is a little bit off, the ball might still go in.
• Snooker Pockets: These pockets are mean! They are narrow and have curved edges (called shoulders). If you don’t hit the ball perfectly into the center of the pocket, it will bounce right out.
• Billiards: No pockets at all! The rails (edges) are often heated to make the balls roll faster and smoothly.

4. Cues (The Sticks)

• Pool Cue: Has a thick tip (about 13mm). It is strong and heavy to hit the heavy pool balls hard.
• Snooker Cue: Has a tiny tip (about 9-10mm). It is designed for precision accuracy.
• Billiards Cue: Is stiff and short to help transfer spin to the ball.

Gameplay and Rules Comparison

Now that we know the gear, how do you play?

Pool Rules (8-Ball)

This is the most common game.

1. You break the balls (smash them apart).
2. If you sink a solid ball, you are “solids.” If you sink a stripe, you are “stripes.”
3. You must sink all your group’s balls.
4. Finally, you sink the black 8-ball to win.

• Vibe: Fast, fun, and exciting.

Snooker Rules

This is a points game.

1. You must hit a Red ball first (1 point).
2. Then you must hit a Colored ball (2 to 7 points).
3. You keep alternating: Red, Color, Red, Color.
4. When all reds are gone, you sink the colors in order (Yellow, Green, Brown, Blue, Pink, Black).
5. The player with the most points wins.

• Vibe: Slow, strategic, and quiet.

Billiards (Carom) Rules

This is a geometry game.

1. You hit your cue ball.
2. It must hit ball A.
3. Then it must hit three rails (cushions).
4. Then it must hit ball B.
5. If you do that, you get 1 point.

• Vibe: Technical, difficult, and impressive.

Difficulty Level: Which is Hardest?

• Easiest to Start: Pool. Because the pockets are big, anyone can get lucky and sink a ball. It is great for beginners.
• Hardest to Master: Snooker. The table is so big and the pockets are so small that even pros miss shots. It takes years of practice to be good.
• Most Confusing: Billiards. Calculating the angles to hit three rails is like doing math in your head!

Conclusion

So, pool vs billiards vs snooker—which one is for you?

• If you want to have fun with friends at a bar, play Pool.
• If you want a serious challenge and love strategy, try Snooker.
• If you love geometry and physics, try Billiards.

Now you are an expert! Next time you see a green table, you will know exactly what game is being played.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What’s the difference between billiards and pool?

 A: The main difference is pockets. Pool has pockets; Billiards (Carom) does not. Also, pool uses 16 balls, while billiards uses only 3.

Q: Can you play snooker on a pool table?

 A: Sort of. You can put snooker balls on a pool table, but it won’t feel right. The pool table is too small, and the pockets are too big, so the game will be too easy and crowded.

Q: Why are snooker tables so big?

A: It is a tradition from the 1800s. The British officers who invented it wanted a game that required high skill and physical reach.