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Level 2 – Pre-intermediate
Snooker
The game of snooker is similar to billiards, as it is played on a big, rectangular table covered with green cloth and having six pockets. There are fifteen red balls, six coloured balls and a white cue ball on the table at the start. Two players take it in turns to knock the balls into the pockets by hitting them with the cue ball, which they strike with a wooden 'cue'.
What are the origins of snooker?
It developed from billiards relatively recently. Billiards probably came to Britain from France and Spain during the 16th century. Some people think that billiards started in Northern Europe as a game similar to croquet and which was played outdoors on grass. But because of the frequent bad weather it was soon moved indoors and played on a table! Billiards became very popular in pubs in Britain. However, in the 18th century it was banned because the people who played the game in pubs also drank a lot of alcohol, so it had a very bad reputation at that time.
Who plays snooker?
Today it is a very popular pub game again, but now it has an excellent reputation. It is also a major TV game which attracts millions of viewers. It is most popular in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the Commonwealth countries. However, more and more countries are becoming interested in the game.
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Answer the questions below to check how well you understand the text.
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C2 Mastery
