Welcome to how to play snooker for beginners
Below is all you need to know about the snooker table, Balls and cue at the bottom of this page is a link to our 1st of 3 great easy to follow lessons.
The Table
The standard full size table
measures approximately
twelve foot by six
foot.
All tables differ marginally.
Pockets are a uniform three and
a half inches across, with the
amount of undercut deciding how
readily the pocket will accept
the balls.
All tables play differently,
with temperature and humidity
affecting the way that a table
runs. Some have new cloths with plenty
of nap, whilst other tables have
worn and shiny cloths.
Cushions vary as well - some are
lively and respond effectively
when contacted, whilst others
may be 'dead' providing little
response. Cushion heights can
vary marginally as well, making
shots off the cushion more
difficult at times.
There are six spots and a 'D'
marked out on a standard snooker
table.n point value order these spots
are; YELLOW (2) - GREEN
(3)
-
BROWN (4)
-
BLUE (5)
-
PINK(6)
and
BLACK (7).
The fifteen REDS
are situated in a triangle
immediately beneath the pink.
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The Balls
A standard set of balls for the snooker table consists of
15 reds, 6 colours and 1 white / cue ball.The standard
measurement of each ball is 2 1/16 inch in diameter.
Historically, snooker balls were made exclusively from heavy
ivory. Thankfully, these quickly became a thing of the past
and were replaced before the Second World War by lighter
Crystalate balls made from the crushed shin bones of cows
Crystalate balls were subsequently replaced by Super
Crystalate balls, made from entirely synthetic material.
These were then replaced by the Aramith balls utilised in
today's game
Aramith balls are ideally suited to the demands of the
modern game, as they are more reactive to spin and power
shots, thereby presenting greater opportunities for enhanced
cue
ball control
The Cue
Owning and playing with your own cue
is essential if you are hoping to
progress and develop your ability at
snooker. The cue is the most
important element in your game and
should be chosen carefully to suit
your own needs and requirements.
This may seem like common sense, but
it is surprising how many people
choose to play with a variety of
cues and are then confused as to why
they fail to improve. I have known
decent amateur players with numerous
cues, swopping and changing as the
mood takes them, often to the
detriment of their overall game
All cues play differently and it
takes a while to familiarise
yourself completely with your chosen
cue. Only regular practice with the
same cue will provide the repetition
necessary for you to become
completely at one with your snooker
cue
The normal length of a cue is in the
region of 58 inches, with the best
cues made from ash or maple. Ash
cues tend to have a heavier grain,
which is more visible than maple.
This grain can assist your sighting
when cueing down on the shot and
enables you to hold the cue in the
same position for each shot. Maple
cues have a more subdued grain.
The recommended weight is around 17
ounces and the cue should feel
balanced, particularly in the shaft.
Weight is often inserted into the
butt of the cue approximately 12 to
18 inches from the base, which is
why the shaft often feels heavy.
Tip sizes vary, but the standard
size is 10mm. Some play with a
9millimetre tip and others with an
11mm, but for players new to the
game a larger tip size is
recommended. A ferrule should be
attached to the end of the cue,
which the tip attaches to. The
ferrule prevents the end of the cue
from splitting and protects the cue
when replacing a tip.
Caring for your cue is vital because
of its importance to your game. In
addition a cue may last for years if
properly looked after.
Avoid leaving your cue in extreme
temperatures, both hot and cold.
Keep the cue clean with a damp cloth
and wash your hands before you play.
Never stand the cue up against a
wall, as eventually this may cause
it to warp.
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How to play snooker for beginners
