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“Snooker is a game of simple shots played to perfection”

JOE DAVIS | FATHER OF SNOOKER

A Brief History of Snooker Through an American Lens

The game of snooker was developed by the British military in the 19th- century while stationed in India and is now a sport played worldwide. Colonel Neville Francis Fitzgerald Chamberlain (No, not that Neville Chamberlain) combined two popular 19th-century billiard games into one that was protosnooker. After further refining the game, Chamberlain named it “Snooker.”  Snooker was a derogatory and tongue-in-cheek term used by military officers towards first-year cadets failing to make a color ball after potting a red ball. Later he quipped, “We are all snookers at this game!”

Word began to spread about the game of snooker when it caught the eye of John Roberts, British Billiard Champion, at the time.  In 1885, John Roberts enjoyed the game so much, that he told Chamberlain he would introduce the game to England and help popularize it. The game spread and developed further leading to a steady rise in popularity and exposure.

 In 1927, Joe Davis, an early snooker ambassador, and player established the first snooker championships. This was his first step in leading the 30’s and 40’s as snooker’s educator, performer, and champion. Joe Davis quipped when asked to describe the game of snooker, “Snooker is a game of simple shots played to perfection.” 

Joe Davis traveled far and spent countless hours teaching snooker mechanics and strategy. His goal was to turn people into snooker players and by communicating the simple elements of technique and repeatable gameplay his goal was achieved. He certainly turned a lot of people into snooker players, but, champions?  Not so much.  He kept that moniker for himself.  Davis won every world championship he ever played in (15 titles). However, he did come close to losing when his younger brother nearly beat him in the last championship finals Joe Davis ever played in. 

Snooker’s golden era was from the late 60s through the early ’80s.  Popularity grew because of the flashy play on newly colorized television sets as well as the increasing standard of play producing more accurate and precise players. Watching a talented snooker player on a break can be mesmerizing and satisfying.   

In 1980, Canada produced their first, and the only North American Champion, Cliff Thorburn. The standard of play at this time was incredible, so this achievement cannot be overstated.  Alex Higgins, Steve Davis, Jimmy White, Ray Reardon, etc. were all near or at their prime.  To come out on top of all those at the end of the marathon and brutal tourney that is The World Snooker Championship (WSC) is pretty amazing. Also, in 1983, become the first player ever to shoot a maximum break during a Snooker World Championship. A maximum break in that kind of pressure cooker takes mental and physical toughness. 

In the 90s and '00s, the popularity of snooker gave way a little, but this was also the time that produced some of the world's best players to ever come out of snooker, Stephen Hendry, and Ronnie O’Sullivan. Both set a standard that is still being challenged today. They both showed the world that precision play was key to creativity and bold shots. It was being proven on the baize that simple shots are the building blocks to complex strategies.  As Joe Davis said at the beginning, "...simple shots played to perfection."  

Today we see snooker growing rapidly in China and other Asian countries. China has produced many players with top talent that are winning tournaments many times a year. Ding Junhui, Marco Fu, and Liang Wenbo are beloved snooker players that compete at the top of the professional pack. In addition, STAR Snooker Tournament Tables are based and manufactured in China.  STAR makes the official World Snooker Tour tables to meet the exacting standards of professional snooker players around the world. BAIZE has four of the same tables for you to use!

North America is also taking an interest. Canada has a growing snooker community with more and more players joining snooker associations. Further, America has seen recent interest in snooker with clubs and academies opening up across the country. New clubs are or have opened in recent years in Phoenix, LA, Las Vegas, and Seattle. This adds to established clubs on the east coast and Texas. The North American era may be on the horizon.

Finally, we cannot end this brief history without commenting on the obvious… There is a huge gap in snooker’s history: The US contribution. Where is it? It is just not there. Pick a reason for this, any reason, it does not matter or change the fact that US snooker players have not been represented in world snooker. BAIZE wants to help change this with training and meaningful tournaments. We know that American women and men can play snooker at a high level when given the chance, and BAIZE will work to grow this amazing sport in the US.