Pool vs Snooker
Pool vs. Snooker
What is the difference between a pool table and a snooker table?
We receive this question quite often and know there are many people who would like to know the difference.  These tables are compared side by side below.  For game rules of either just do an Internet search.
Pool and Snooker are similar in appearance, yet quite different.  The games played on each are also different.
More skill is required to play snooker than pool since the table is larger, the pockets narrower, the pocket lead-in curved and the balls smaller.
Pool is more common in the United States than snooker.  Certain states have a concentration of snooker popularity including Colorado, deep South and the mid-West in the United States.  Once a person plays snooker, they become better at pool since the accuracy is critical to snooker.  Snooker is the game of choice in Canada, Great Britain, Europe, Middle East, Australia and India.  For the most part snooker has become popular in countries where Great Britain has had Colonial interests.
We are proud to offer our interchangeable rail designs for our pool and snooker table plans!  So, if you only have room for one table, you can make two sets of rails for the same table.  In about 2 hours, you can expertly replace your table rails with snooker or pool rails once you have built the rails.  Click on the button at the right to learn more about your options.
Pool
 
Our 9 foot Mission Pool Table is shown         with Snooker Rails.  It requires about 2 hours to change the rails         to switch between Pool and Snooker.
 
Table         Size
 
Officially sanctioned pool tables are         8 (regulation) and 9 feet (tournament).  Bar and coin op tables come in 6 and 7 feet.
We offer 7, 8, 8 plus, and 9 foot pool table sizes in our         pool table plans for         your flexibility.
The official sizes are 10'         (American) and 12' (British) foot tables.
Snooker tables are         sometimes referred to as English Pool tables.
We offer 7, 8, 8 plus, 9 and 10 foot in our snooker table         plans.  American Snooker tables use the same size slate as pool tables.  British pool tables use 11/2"- 2" slate.
Pockets
 
Corner pockets are         smaller than side pockets.
Cushions change direction into the pocket at an         angle.  The         end of the rails at the pocket opening are covered with a pocket facing         which is not seen when covered with the rail cloth.
 
 
Corner Pockets and side         pockets are the same size and are significantly smaller than pool         pockets.
The ball enters the pocket after passing through         a curved gateway         which is a continuation of the cushions.  Unlike pool rails, pocket facings         are not needed.
 
pool pocket at an angle.
Notice         the curved lead into the snooker pocket.
Cushions & Rails
 
Pool cushions come in various sizes.  They         use         good quality K-55 or K-66 profiles which are "V" (or         pyramidal) shaped.
 
American snooker tables have "V" (or pyramidal) shaped cushions.  Stepped rubber or "L" shaped, is used more commonly         on British tables.  Both style cushions play about the same.
Our Snooker Table plans use K-66 profile since         it is easier to         build to achieve the proper curved lead-ins using a commercially         available part called "snooker bends".
 
Alternate sets of rails         (pool or snooker) can easily be displayed and stored as a design element         of your billiard room.
 
 
Our snooker rails are         simply mounted to the wall with removable eye bolts screwed into the sub         rail.  Two wall anchors with protruding screws for each make quick         work removing snooker rails for change over to snooker.  Notice how         level the top rail can be to display our antique snooker ball set!
 
Table Height
 
Height specifications are         measured from an unshimmed corner.  This definition is based on         common sense and no one, to our knowledge, has ever addressed this as a         specification. 
 
American height specifications are         the same as pool table height.
British height specifications are         approximately 2" higher than American specifications.
Our snooker table plans include both height ranges so you can choose         which governing body's specifications you wish to use.
Cloth
 
Green is the traditional standard for pool         tables.  However you may now enjoy         choices of color offered by most cloth manufacturers.  Cheaper         cloth need to be replaced more often and usually "pill" like wool sweaters.  The better worsted (yes, more expensive) cloths         last longer and without quickly degrading such as Simonis 860.
 
Shown         at right are Simonis Colors from their 2005 European Collection.
 
Snooker requires a "faster" or shorter nap (the fuzzy stuff)         cloth, such as Simonis 760.  These are the more expensive wool/nylon blend or 100% wool         weaves.  The good news is that these cloths last a very long time         and should not have to be replaced for at least 5 years with everyday         play.
The traditional color is green.  Due to the high demand for         decorator colors, a few manufacturers have added a wide choice.
Balls
 
21/4" are the standard size balls.
On coin op tables when a mechanical system is used, the cue ball is         larger in order it be returned when scratched.
In pool most games, 15 balls plus the cue ball are used, except for 7         and 9 ball.