Editing Snooker (section)

===Equipment===
[[File:Set_of_Snookerballs.png|thumb|alt=Close-up view of an open snooker ball box with three rows of five red balls to the rear, one row of colour balls towards the front, a white ball to front left corner, a black ball to front right corner, and two chalk cubes at the front between the white and black balls|A complete set of snooker balls]]
[[File:London - Royal Automobile Club - 3024.jpg|thumb|alt=Close-up view of a horizontal scoring band showing the numerals 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, with a ceramic pointer resting above the 10, two cue tips resting against the 12, and a box of chalk sitting on a shelf beneath|A sliding scoreboard, some blocks of cue-tip chalk, white chalk-board chalk and two cues]]
[[File:Snooker player with rest.jpg|thumb|alt=A man playing snooker on a baize-covered table, preparing to strike the white ball using a cue stick that he is holding with his right hand; the end of the cue stick is resting on the cross-shaped head of a long stick which he is holding with his left hand|A shot using a {{cuegloss|rest}}, allowing the player to reach farther down the table]]
A standard full-size [[snooker table]] measures {{convert|12|×|6|ft|cm|abbr=on|1}}, with a rectangular {{cuegloss|playing surface}} measuring {{convert|356.9|×|177.8|cm|ftin|abbr=on|1|order=flip}}.{{sfn|Shamos|2002|pp=227–228}} The playing surface is surrounded by small {{cuegloss|cushions}} along each side of the table. The height of the table from the floor to the top of the cushions is {{convert|86.4|cm|ftin|abbr=on|1|order=flip}}.<ref name="WPBSA_Official_Rules" />{{rp|7}} The table has six {{cuegloss|pockets}}: one at each corner and one at the centre of each of the two longer side cushions.<ref name="WPBSA_Official_Rules" /> One drawback of using a {{nowrap|full-size}} table is the amount of space required to accommodate it, which limits the locations where the game can easily be played. The minimum room size that allows space on all sides for comfortable cueing is {{convert|22|x|16|ft|m|abbr=on|1}}.<ref name="roomsize" /> While [[pool tables]] are common to many [[pub]]s, snooker tends to be played either in private settings or in public [[snooker hall]]s.<ref name="BBC get inspired" /> The game can also be played on smaller tables,{{sfn|Shamos|2002|pp=227–228}} with variant table sizes including {{convert|10|×|5|ft|cm|abbr=on|0}}, {{convert|9|×|4.5|ft|cm|abbr=on|0}}, {{convert|8|×|4|ft|cm|abbr=on|0}}, and {{convert|6|×|3|ft|cm|abbr=on|0}}.<ref name="snoo_Pool" /><!--{{better source needed|date=November 2022}}-->

The [[Billiard table#Cloth|cloth]] on a snooker table is usually a form of tightly woven woollen green [[baize]],{{sfn|Shamos|2002|page=14}} with a directional [[Nap (fabric)|nap]] that runs lengthwise from the {{cuegloss|baulk end}} of the table to the far end near the {{cuegloss|black spot|black ball spot}}.{{sfn|Shamos|2002|page=160}} The nap affects the speed and trajectory of the balls, depending on the direction of the shot and whether any {{cuegloss|side spin}} is placed on the ball.{{sfn|Shamos|2002|page=160}}{{sfn|Peall|2017|pages=1,5}} Even if the {{cuegloss|cue ball}} is struck in precisely the same manner, the effect of the nap will differ according to whether the ball is directed towards the {{cuegloss|baulk line}} or towards the opposite end of the table.<ref name="heritage2008"/>{{sfn|Shamos|2002|page=160}}{{sfn|Peall|2017|pages=1,5}}

A [[snooker ball]] set consists of 22 unmarked balls: 15 {{cuegloss|reds}}, six {{cuegloss|coloured balls}}, and one white cue ball. The colours are one each of yellow, green, brown, blue, pink and black,{{sfn|Shamos|2002|pp=227–228}} although the brown and blue balls were not a part of the original rules.{{sfn|Everton|1986|page=48}} Each ball has a diameter of {{convert|52.5|mm|in|1|order=flip|frac=16}}.<ref name="WPBSA_Official_Rules" />{{rp|8}} At the start of the game, the red balls are {{cuegloss|racked}} into a tightly packed [[equilateral triangle]], and the colours are positioned at designated {{cuegloss|spot (noun)|spots}} on the table. The cue ball is placed inside {{cuegloss|the D|the "D"}} ready for the {{cuegloss|break|{{nowrap|break-off}}}} shot.<ref name="WPBSA_Official_Rules" />{{rp|17}}

Each player has a [[snooker cue]] (or simply a "cue"), not less than {{convert|91.4|cm|ft|abbr=on|0|order=flip}} in length, which is used to strike the cue ball. The {{cuegloss|tip}} of the cue must only make contact with the cue ball and is never used for striking any of the reds or colours directly.<ref name="WPBSA_Official_Rules" />{{rp|9}}

Snooker accessories include: {{cuegloss|chalk}} for the tip of the cue, to help apply {{cuegloss|spin}} on the cue ball; various different {{cuegloss|rests}} such as the {{cuegloss|swan}} or {{cuegloss|spider}}, for playing shots that are difficult to play by hand; {{cuegloss|extension|extensions}} for lengthening the cue; a {{cuegloss|triangle}} for racking the reds; and a {{cuegloss|scoreboard}}, typically attached to a wall near the snooker table.{{sfn|Boru|2010|loc=Ch. "You can chalk that one up to..."}} A traditional snooker scoreboard resembles an [[abacus]] and records the {{cuegloss|points}} scored by each player for the current frame in units and twenties, as well as the frame scores. A simple scoring bead is sometimes used, called a "scoring string" or "scoring wire".<ref name="Scorboard" /> Each segment of the string (bead) represents one point as the players can move one or several beads along the string.<ref name="Scorboard" />

Additional accessories include cue tips of varying hardness to suit player preferences, {{nowrap|anti-slip}} cue grips for better control, and specialized table brushes and cloths to maintain optimal table conditions.