How to Learn Snooker Online
Most Americans are familiar with one of the three basic forms of billiards: 8-ball, 9-ball and straight pool. Less familiar are the disciplines of “carom” billiards, played on a table without pockets, and snooker. Snooker technically is a pocket-billiards game, but the table is larger (usually), the pockets (or “pots”) are smaller and the balls are both smaller and of different colors than standard pool balls. The balls also are not numbered, although they do carry point significance. Snooker parlors are hard to come by in the U.S., but you can learn a lot about snooker online.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Perform a search of “snooker” online. What you’ll find are many web pages dedicated to the game as a sport, that is, pages that follow the game the way American web sites cover the NFL or college basketball. Leagues and standings are listed, player profiles are provided and upcoming tournaments are detailed. There also are sites that provide instructions and introductions to the game.
-
2
Refine your search by typing in “online snooker instructions.” You’ll be presented with dozens of options. Some sites are free; others offer snooker lessons and tips for a fee. Start with a free site to familiarize yourself with the rules of the game. A good primer is “Rules of Snooker” at Billiards World.
-
-
3
Read the Billiards World document. It’s only about three pages long, but offers a good synopsis of the rules, object of the game, equipment and lexicon unique to snooker.
-
4
Find a “History of Snooker” site. It will help you enjoy and appreciate the game more if you can put its roots in perspective. For example, Sir Neville Chamberlain (no relation to the WW II prime minister) coined the term “snooker” in reference to his new invention when a young Royal Military Academy cadet missed a “pot” (pocket). Referring to his lack of experience, Chamberlain called him a “snooker” and adopted the name for the game he conceived while on duty in India.
-
5
View some online snooker videos. You can watch some of the world’s best players as well as get instructions on how to play the game. Visit free sites first. Once you understand the rules and strategies of the game, you’ll be able to appreciate watching some of the game’s great players. Better yet, you can get tips on playing—how to break, what balls you should shoot and how best to leave the ball to set up the following shot and maximize point opportunities.
-
6
Play online snooker games. There are a lot of sites available and, while it’s not the real thing, playing against other people online will help you better understand the game, especially shot selection and strategy.
-
7
Pay for lessons online. Again, there are a lot of sites out there. You can pay anywhere from $49 and up.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Although you may be hard-pressed to find “snooker” halls dedicated solely to snooker, many pool halls provide snooker tables. It’s probably a good place to practice, as there won’t be many fellow snooker players in most establishments.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit snooker balls image by pershing from Fotolia.com
