Darts, pool and now snooker: have you noticed? So-called ‘old man pub games’ have experienced a shot in the arm lately.
Perhaps it’s Gen Z leading the charge back to old school pubs, as this paper reported back in August 2024, drawn to a sense of community, authenticity, and, it can’t be denied, the low prices that come part and parcel with such establishments.
Then again, it could be wins from the likes of Luke Littler and now Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump (no relation) at the World Snooker Championships 2025 that have inspired people to pick up a dart or a snooker cue.
The very first game of snooker was played in Tamil Nadu, India, in 1875 when British Army Officer Sir Neville Francis Fitzgerald Chamberlain invented it. Its name? Slang for a rookie recruit at Woolwich Military Academy.
Are pool and snooker the same?
While snooker may appear, at first glance, very similar to pool - both are played on felt-lined tables with balls and cues - there is a world of difference to note.
For one, snooker is played on a larger table with 22 balls, compared to pool’s 16. Pockets are smaller in snooker, which means players need more skill to sink a ball. And snooker has a more complex scoring system that involves potting a sequence of red and coloured balls rather than focusing on simple spots and stripes and the final 8-ball, per pool.
Which is harder to play: pool or snooker?
Pool is a simple pub game, but snooker calls for heightened focus, precision and strategy, making it the more challenging of the two to play. The Crucible’s master of ceremonies, Rob Walker, told the BBC that it’s “one of the hardest sports in the world, technically”, which explains why games are typically played in hushed silence. It feels like you can hear a pin drop at televised snooker games to allow players to maintain laser-like concentration.
If you’re up to the challenge of learning snooker, you needn’t go beyond your front door to develop the necessary skills. For those with money, space and eagerness to learn, you can buy snooker tables to set up at home.
Below, we’ve put together a list of the best snooker tables for kids and adults. Some are solely for the game itself, while you can play pool with others. Even if space is at a premium, as it is in most homes, having a snooker table is possible thanks to folding mechanisms that turn the table upright when it’s not in play.
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Gamesson Crucible Snooker Table 6ft
This adult-sized pool table spans six feet, giving teens and adults the feel of a traditional design. Made with a robust steel frame with folding legs to facilitate storage, Gamesson's table comes complete with snooker balls, two cues measuring 122cm and a triangle. The best part is that construction is minimal, so you can start thrashing your first opponent in next to no time.
Buy now £400.00, Argos
Riley 6ft Folding Snooker and Pool Table
Measures: 184 x 95 x 79cm
Weight: 52kg
Why play one game when you can get a table that allows you to play four? Riley's nifty design allows you to play pool and snooker while an extra mat puts table tennis on the schedule. Once you've tired of those, exercise your throwing arm by flipping the vertical folding leg system up to reveal a soft-tip dart board on the back. If that wasn't enough, this table comes with all the accessories needed to play the games: think a set of 1.3/4-inch snooker balls, 1.3/4-inch spots and stripes pool balls, triangles and two (48-inch/122cm) cues.
Buy now £439.99, Amazon
Hy-Pro 6ft Folding Snooker and Pool Table
Bring the snooker hall to your games room with this folding table, which you can also use to play pool. The green felt surface is covered with the usual markings so you can hone the finer points of your game and a set of balls and cues come with the table so you can start playing immediately. Assembly is required but it's straightforward and leaves you with a sturdy table that friends and family will be lining up to play with.
If you prefer a smaller design, a 5ft version is currently on sale for £106, down from £160.
Buy now £187.50, Argos
HLC 5FT Folding Kids Pool Snooker Billiards Table
For pool purists who want to teach kids the game, this pool table keeps things simple. Set on fold-down legs, the MDF design is light enough to move into free space and can be stored under beds or in cupboards when not in use. The table comes with the requisite accessories for play, from brushes and racks to balls and cues. You'll even get some chalk to use on cue tip - talk about the complete package.
Buy now £162.99, Amazon
Hy-Pro 4ft 6in Folding Snooker and Pool Table
One of the cheapest entrants on our list, you can instantly see where the extra money for more expensive options goes. Still, if you're looking for a starter folding table to teach kids the basics, this is a lower-cost buy that won't break the bank. The legs fold up into the base of the table, making storage easy - sling a blanket over it to protect it from dust and make it less of an eyesore.
The budget buy may scrimp on some elements of the design, but not when it comes to accessories: this table comes with 38mm 1.5-inch snooker balls and 6 extra yellow balls for pool games, 2 x 36-inch, two wooden cues, two triangles, chalk, scoreboard and cloth brush.
Sold with a one-year manufacturer's guarantee and suitable for ages 8+.
Buy now £80.00, Argos
SPOTRAVEL 4FT/4.5FT Billiards Table
Got a mini O’Sullivan on your hands? Start them off with this multi-function table that allows them to play billiards, pool and snooker in one. Folding legs and netted pockets make storage much easier. It only comes with pool balls, so if you’re hoping to teach them snooker, you’ll need to source the right set yourself.
Assembly is required, but once done, you’ll have a sturdy table ready to play at a moment’s notice.
Buy now £119.59, Amazon
Riley Traditional 6ft Snooker Table
Your games room will become the place to be once you install Riley’s 6ft snooker table. The handsome oak finish design comes with adjustable and independent leg levellers to create the optimal surface on any floor (just grab a spirit level to help ensure it’s balanced).
You’ll get a set of American pool balls and snooker balls with the 6ft table, allowing you to learn the basics with the former before honing your skills in snooker.
Buy now £499.99, Amazon
Charles Bentley Premium 6ft Pub Style Folding Snooker and Pool Games Table
Turn any room of the house into a games room with this folding snooker table that resembles a professional design save for one helpful addition. The folding legs allow owners to store it vertically, meaning little room is needed to have one in the house. Simply tuck it behind a cupboard until the next time you wish to play.
The 6ft table comes with all the necessary accessories, including six extra yellow balls so you can play English pool with the snooker balls provided.
Buy now £299.99, Robert Dyas
Pureline 6ft Folding Snooker & Pool Table
Made from a strong steel frame, this 6ft snooker table comes in two finishes to suit your space: dark walnut or a lighter oak effect. You’ll get a full set of snooker balls, two cues, a triangle and cue chalk along with a scoreboard, brush and rest stick. Foldable legs are cross-braced for extra strength and drop pockets are finished with a leather-style apron as a nice style detail. As for the cues, keep them safe on storage clips found on the underside of the table.
Buy now £295.00, Liberty Games
Tekscore Compact 4ft 6in Folding Leg Snooker Pool table
This smaller 4ft design is ideal for smaller homes, allowing families to play pool and snooker on a compact scale. No DIY necessary here; the table comes fully assembled so you can play minutes after delivery.
It’s a great beginner's option and relatively low-cost, so won’t burn too large a hole in your pocket if your kids become obsessed with something else in six months time.
Buy now £99.99, Liberty Games
Simba 7ft Pool Table Snooker with accessories
You’ll need to clear the room for this table - it neither folds or can be stored away - but if you’re serious about snooker, it’s perfect. The 7ft design comes with cues of varying length, plus a full set of balls, a brush, a triangle, and more.
It comes almost fully assembled (only the legs need bolting on), but at 145kg, it is on the heavy side, so best to use moving straps and enlist a willing friend or neighbour to help you get it into position.
Buy now £1002.15, Simba Shopping
