Pool and snooker both use cue sticks for hitting a ball into a box. The games are similar in many ways, but they have important differences. These differences can help determine which game is best for your needs.
Both pool and snooker are tabletop cue sports. Although they have similar rules and equipment, their play objectives and play styles are very different. In a nutshell, pool consists of eight or ten balls whereas snooker has fifteen red balls. The number of balls you'll use will depend on which pool you're playing. Snooker is much more complex than pool.
Snooker is a game where you try to get as many balls as you can while keeping your opponent's balls out of your hands. Each red or non-red ball you keep in your pocket earns you a point. You are not given points if you miss a shot. If you do manage to keep the red and non-red balls, however, you get three or six points.
A snooker table looks similar to a pool table except that it has pockets either side. But the balls and table are much bigger. For instance, in Europe and the UK, snooker tables are usually around 6 feet long, while pool tables are typically only 5 feet.
Like pool, snooker has a very strict scoring system. To earn a point, you must pocket a particular ball in a specified order. The frame ends once all the red balls are accounted for. Players are then free to continue shooting until they miss their shot. The rules could vary depending upon where they are located. Some players might choose to call-pocket. This is a great method to learn the game since you have the option of choosing the pocket ball.
Snooker cues are lighter and thinner than pool cues. They also have smaller tips. Because snooker requires you to play on a larger table, it can sometimes be more difficult for you to pocket your balls. It also requires more precision.
A player can progress from 8-ball level to 9-ball. There are many variations of pool that will suit any level of play. Most people prefer the 8-ball version.
Snooker can be more competitive than pool. With the green call, players try to score as many points as possible in a short time. The player with the highest number of points wins.
Snooker as well as pool are fast-paced and require sharp reflexes. However, the scoring system is more stringent in snooker. Even if players pocket all the balls in a sequence, fouls can be committed even if they don't pocket a striped, non-red, or other ball.
It doesn't matter how you choose to play, the game of snooker can be very entertaining. The game is popular in both the UK as well as the USA.