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The Origins of Snooker
Snooker was born in colonial India in 1875. Back then, British officer Neville Chamberlain, stationed there, came up with new rules by combining two popular billiard games. The word snooker was originally military slang, meaning something like "rookie" or "newbie."
In the early 20th century, Snooker became a pastime of English aristocrats. Over time, it steadily gained popularity across the globe. The first World Snooker Championship was held as early as 1927 – and it was won by the legendary Joe Davis.
But the real public interest in Snooker ignited in the 1970s, when television (specifically the BBC series Pot Black) began broadcasting matches. From that point on, the once-quiet gentlemen’s game turned into an electrifying show for mass audiences.
Modern Snooker Tournaments
The World Snooker Championship trophy is the symbol of the sport’s highest achievement. Today, the World Snooker Championship is the most prestigious competition in the Snooker world. This annual tournament takes place in Sheffield, England, at the iconic Crucible Theatre, and brings together the 32 best players on the planet.
The format is a knockout system: 16 top-ranked players are seeded directly, while the remaining 16 battle their way through qualifiers. The championship matches are famous for their length and tension – the final stretches up to 35 frames, and the winner walks away not only with a hefty prize but also a permanent place in Snooker history.
No wonder the World Championship, along with the UK Championship and The Masters, forms Snooker’s Triple Crown – the sport's three most coveted titles.
Besides the World Championship, the UK Championship is one of the biggest ranking tournaments, open to all professionals and considered one of the season’s most prestigious events.
The Masters, in contrast, is an elite invitational tournament featuring only the top 16 players in the world rankings. Winning all three Triple Crown events is a feat reserved for the sport’s true legends – these tournaments define the pinnacle of excellence in Snooker.
Thanks to these tournaments, Snooker has evolved into a global sport.
Final matches are watched by millions around the world. For example, over 300 million people tuned in to the 2016 World Championship final – with around 210 million viewers in China alone.
