Are you up for a game of snooker? In the United States, there are plenty of people who have not heard of this fantastic game based on billiards. All over the rest of the world, players choose snooker as the game of choice in billiards halls and pool rooms. And on the telly in England, it is the most watched sports program. So Americans are somewhat behind in recognizing this game.

Snooker began as a simple variation of the game of pool. It was originally called "pyramid pool", and was merely a different version of "life" or "black" games already in use. In 1875, Sir Neville Chamberlain modified the game, and it took off in popularity. English soldiers loved to play the new game, and it enjoyed a steady increase in popularity up to the present day's peak in modern England.

Learning to play snooker can seem complex to beginners, but the basic rules are fairly simple. The most complicated step is setting the table:

* Snooker tables are full sized billiards tables measuring 6 feet by 12 feet.

* Snooker balls make up a set of 22. Fifteen red balls are the minions of the game, while the white cue ball is used to strike with. And one ball of each of 6 colors: blue, brown, black, pink, green, and yellow.

* The green, brown, and yellow balls are placed side by side (to remember the order, use the acronym "God Bless You") at one end of the table, approximately six inches apart. The blue ball is placed in the exact center of the table. The pink ball is set between the blue ball and the top cushion at the far end of the table. The black ball goes on a marked spot located at about 12 3/4 inches from the top cushion.

* The 15 red balls are grouped into a triangle, with the aid of a racking device, and then are placed just behind the pink ball. Come close to the pink but don't touch it.

Once the balls are properly set, the game can begin. The breaking player strikes the triangle of red balls. When a player sinks a red ball, he or she is then free to shoot and sink any one of the six colored balls. The yellow ball is worth two points, the green is worth three, the brown ball is worth four, the blue is five, the pink is six, and the black is worth seven points. When a colored ball has been sunk, the point is scored and the ball is retrieved and re-spotted on the table.

Snooker also comes in several different varieties, which are fun to try after one has mastered the main game. Snooker is not dreadfully hard to learn, but the rules can drag down newcomers somewhat, so it is always best to find an expert who can explain the rules and show you how to count the points and replace the balls onto the table.

For more than a century, snooker has been a beloved sport in England and many other countries. And with good reason! It is fun, easy to play, and yet demanding of skills as one progresses. If you already own a regulation sized pool table, why not get a set of snooker balls, and add a new game to your repertoire?