Are you curious about snooker tables? From their size to the best materials for construction, this article will give you all the information you need.
You’ll learn the specific measurements for smaller and larger snooker tables and how to choose the perfect piece of furniture for your home or club. Get ready to discover a whole new world of fun!
Introduction
Snooker is a popular cue sport played with 15 red balls, six coloured balls and a cue ball on a baize-covered snooker table. With origins in the 19th century, snooker has developed into an extremely competitive globally-played sport that holds professional competitions and world rankings.
The size of each snooker table is regulated to create a fair and equal playing field for competitors. According to official regulations set out by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), all snooker tables must conform to strict measuring requirements. A typical tournament grade full size tournament snooker table measures 12 ft x 6 ft in playing area, while having an overall size of 16 ft x 10 ½ ft which includes the cushion overhangs at either end.
History of Snooker Tables
The game of Snooker has been around for centuries, with some sources saying it was first played in 1892. However, the modern game we play today is based on a version first devised in the late 1800s that was created by a British Army officer. Since then, Snooker has become one of the most popular cue games and is played all over the world.
The size of a snooker table is based on many factors including its intended use and where it will be located or transported. For example, professional tables used in tournaments must meet World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) regulations for official play. The WPBSA size requirement for a professional snooker table is 12 feet x 6 feet, including the cushions (or rails).
For home tables, there are also various shapes and sizes available depending on space limitations or whether you want to play other games as well as Snooker such as 8-ball or Pool. Smaller versions referred to as ‘cribbage’ tables are usually 6 feet by 3 feet although nowadays smaller models are available . Other sizes include full-sized 9-footers perfect for pubs and leisure centres as well as 15 footers ideal for dedicated snooker halls.
Types of Snooker Tables
Snooker is a timeless game that can be played on different types of billiard tables, but for serious play, a full-size snooker table is suggested. The table size that is considered standard for league play and tournament matches is 12 feet long and 6 feet wide. This means a playing surface area of 72 square feet and each pocket opening should measure 5 inches deep by 4.25 inches in diameter.
For informal use or home fun, smaller sizes are available as well as foldable / collapsible tables that exceed the league specifications when erected but form to a smaller size when disassembled for easier storage needs. Common smaller table sizes are 9 x 4 1/2 ft (45 sqft) or 7 1/2 x 3 1/2 ft (26 sqft). When shopping, note these measurements so you can get the right size to fit your room and pocket needs best!
What Size Is a Snooker Table
Standard snooker tables have dimensions of either 12 ft by 6 ft or 11 ft by 5.5 ft. In the 12 ft table, the exact measurements are as follows: playing area 112 inches long by 56 inches wide (9 ft by 4.7ft). The enclosure surrounding the cushion faces should also be 18 inches deep on all sides.
For an 11ft table, the playing area will measure 99 inches long and 52 inches wide (8.25ft and 4.33ft respectively). Again, the enclosure should be 18 inches deep on all sides of the cushion face.
Both types of standard snooker tables should have a height of 31inches from floor to table top when measured at their centres, or 29 inches when measured one inch in from the cushion edge. The cushions themselves will run along both edges at a height of 5cm from edge to edge when measured with a ruler placed perpendicular to them (i.e., level with them).
The pockets used for a full-sized snooker table can vary in size but typically measure between 3″ x 1½” and 3½” x 1¾”, and are usually faced with leather or a synthetic material such as naugahyde (also spelled naugahide).
Factors That Affect Snooker Table Size
The official size of a snooker table, which were first introduced in 1883, has changed over the years but currently is maintained at a height of 29-31.5 inches (74-80 cm), a length of 11 feet 8.5 inches (3.6 m) and a width of 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m). All professional events are required to use tables meeting these minimum requirements, however; the exact dimensions can change depending on the individual game or tournament being played.
Some factors that may affect the size of the snooker table include:
- Tournament Play: Tables used in international tournaments may vary slightly from the standard dimensions to allow for larger TV cameras or live audience view areas
- Material Differences: Various materials—such as slate, particle board and even cloth—can affect table dimensions ever so slightly
- Room Size: Where possible, choose a size that is proportionate to the room you are playing in as this measures cues arms when taking shots
- Local Rules: Some leagues may have their own local rules where larger measurements are allowed
Benefits of Using a Standard Snooker Table
A standard snooker table is an important part of the game, offering a consistent playing surface that eliminates the effect of unstable flooring or erroneous cue stick play. Additionally, a standard snooker table offers a number of other tangible benefits:
-The correct size – professional tournaments use a full-sized table measuring 12 ft. X 6 ft., allowing players to practice and play on the same table size they will encounter in competitive events. The pockets on the table’s corners measure 4.5 inches in diameter, giving players room to attempt shots with greater accuracy.
-Timekeeping benefits – the snooker balls are aligned easily and quickly on a standard snooker table every time, allowing each player to effectively report their own match times without confusion or error.
-Uniform measurements – with regulation cushions measuring 4 ¼” by 1 ½”, both players can expect to receive clear deliveries from the cushions in an unbiased manner, meaning neither player has an advantage over the other due to inaccuracy in cushion final measurement or erratic rebound points along its length.
By offering such uniformity and consistency in its benefits, a standard snooker table helps to provide players with an enjoyable, fair and challenging experience while they enjoy their favorite game.
How to Choose the Right Size Snooker Table
Choosing the right size snooker table is important for allowing your players to enjoy an optimal gaming experience. The standard size of a snooker table for competitive play is 12 feet by six feet, however there are other sizes available depending on the context of your game.
For instance, a smaller 10-foot by five-foot table may be appropriate if space and budget constraints necessitate it, or if you need a family friendly table size. This also makes it suitable as a starter’s snooker table – great for getting kids into the sport.
The size of the playing area can be scaled up to 14 feet by seven feet to accommodate larger spaces and more experienced players. This sizing allows players to adopt more advanced shots such as “corner-cutting”, thus enhancing their experience and challenging them further.
Bear in mind that the snooker table must have at least 6 inches (15 cm) clearance at each end and along both side walls in order to fit all materials naturally associated with games such as rackets, balls etcetera. Furthermore, consider whether adequate space is provided for spectators to watch without hindering playrs’ movement around the table. An additional 2 feet (60cm) of clear space all around the snooker table should suffice for spectators without obstructing gameplay or impinging on their own comfort during long gaming sessions.
The regulation size of a snooker table is 12 feet long by 6 feet wide. However, there are also smaller regulation tables out there that range from 7.5 to 10 feet in length. The play area on the table should be 35 by 17.5 inches and it should have 5 pockets. The measurements for the actual snooker balls used on a snooker table should all be equal in size and measure 2 3/4 inches in diameter.
When playing a game of snooker, it is important to make sure that you have the right size table for your needs so that you can enjoy the game and easily make shots as intended. A regulation size snooker table will allow for every shot to play out like it should, but smaller sizes are suitable while still providing an enjoyable experience.
