Why is snooker called so?

Snooker derives from the game of billiards and was first played with ivory balls.in the late 1800’s. The name snooker itself was a nickname for the army cadets in India where the game was first played by the British army. Billiards and this crude alternative were then merged to form snooker.

Unlike billiards, snooker is a largely potting game and was first became a game when the Billiards Association and Control Club was formed in 1919. This later become the WPBSA which now governs the game across the world.

As snooker progressed so ivory was replaced by bakalite and now a durable resin that reduce kicks.

The green baize itself has become thinner to increase the speed of the balls and table heaters introduced to keep the slate under the cloth at a constant temperature to reduce humidity.

The equipment itself has changed with long extensions replaced with screw on buts and cues are either made of ash wood or maple.