Short answer
A full-size snooker table is much bigger: its playing area is 3,569 × 1,778 mm, against 2,540 × 1,270 mm for a 9 ft pool table. Snooker uses 22 balls of 52.5 mm, narrow rounded pockets and a napped cloth; pool uses 16 balls of 57.2 mm and wider pockets. With standard cues a snooker table needs a room of about 6.6 × 4.8 m, a 9 ft pool table about 5.5 × 4.3 m.
Side by side
| Snooker (full size) | Pool (9 ft) | |
|---|---|---|
| Playing area | 3,569 × 1,778 mm | 2,540 × 1,270 mm |
| Balls on the table | 22: 15 reds, 6 colours, cue ball | 16: 15 object balls, cue ball |
| Ball diameter | 52.5 mm | 57.2 mm (2¼ in) |
| Pockets | Narrow, rounded cut | Wider, straight cut |
| Cloth | Napped wool cloth, the ball runs differently with and against the nap | Worsted, napless cloth, fast and even |
| Room with 147 cm cue | about 6.6 × 4.8 m | about 5.5 × 4.3 m |
The snooker figures are the full-size table of the snooker governing body; the pool figure is the 9 ft tournament bed. Smaller snooker tables exist for homes, but the tables we list online today are full size.
How each game plays
Snooker is a long, positional game: small balls, tight pockets and a big table reward long potting and planning. A frame can take half an hour.
Pool is quicker and easier to start: bigger pockets, a smaller table, 8-ball or 9-ball in a few minutes. For a family room or a mixed group, pool is usually the one that gets played every day.
A simple test: if the people who will use the room already play snooker, they will want snooker. If not, start with pool.
The cues are different too
Snooker cues are usually one-piece or three-quarter jointed, with ash shafts and tips around 9 to 10 mm for the smaller ball. Pool cues are mostly two-piece with maple or carbon shafts and tips of 11.8 to 13 mm. Each game plays best with its own cue; our pool cue guide explains weight, tip and shaft.
Tables and prices
Our full-size snooker tables start at AED 24,699.99; tournament 9 ft pool tables start at AED 20,404.
Knight ShotKnight Shot Buffalo 12ft Commercial Snooker TableSnooker, 12 ftAED 24,699.99 
RassonRASSON Sword II Tournament Snooker Table 12ft. (Black / GreySnooker, 12 ftAED 30,573.38 
RassonRASSON Strong II Tournament Snooker Table 12ft. (Black / GreySnooker, 12 ftAED 40,880.97 
RassonRASSON Acurra Tournament Pool Table 9ft. Strong BlackPool, 9 ftAED 20,404
PredatorPredator Apex Pool Table 9ft with Drop PocketPool, 9 ftAED 35,775
Knight ShotKnight Shot Knight IIPool, 9 ft homeAED 11,556 See all snooker tables, balls and cloth or all pool tables.
Questions we get in the showroom (5)
Is a snooker table bigger than a pool table?
Yes. A full-size snooker table plays on 3,569 × 1,778 mm; a 9 ft pool table on 2,540 × 1,270 mm. The snooker table is about 1 m longer and 50 cm wider.
Can you play pool on a snooker table?
Not properly. The pockets and the napped cloth are made for 52.5 mm snooker balls; pool balls are 57.2 mm. Buy the table for the game you will play most.
Which is easier for beginners, pool or snooker?
Pool. The pockets are wider, the table is smaller and a game is short, so new players enjoy it from the first night.
How much room does a snooker table need?
With standard 147 cm cues about 6.6 × 4.8 m: the 3,569 × 1,778 mm playing area plus a cue length on every side.
How much does a snooker table cost in the UAE?
Our full-size snooker tables start at AED 24,699.99 (Knight Shot Buffalo, 12 ft). Rasson tournament tables run from AED 30,573.38. Prices include 5% VAT.