People are finally realising why snooker tables are green despite ball issue

01 May 2023 , 18:09

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Luca Brecel faces off against Mark Selby in the World Snooker Championship final

The eyes of the sporting world turn to the Crucible on Monday night, as the World Snooker Championship reaches its thrilling conclusion.

For two weeks every spring Sheffield plays host to the sport’s biggest stars as they battle to become world champion. In 2023, it will be Luca Brecel taking on Mark Selby, with the Belgian in complete control going into the Bank Holiday evening session.

Last year, more than 4 million people tune into the final, which saw Ronnie O’Sullivan beat Judd Trump to become a record-equalling seven-time champion of the world. And while the absence of the Rocket in the latter stages will have an impact on figures, plenty will still be tuning in for the crowning moment.

The fortnight marks a rapid rise in popularity of the sport, with snooker halls in their highest demand of the year. It could mean a few turn to the game for the first time, with amateurs learning the ropes.

And with a raft of new players, some basics of the sport will be covered - including the most basic of all ‘why is a snooker table green?’. The answer to that question is one rooted in the game’s long and varied history.

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It isn’t lost on anyone that the baize resembles a sports field, despite it being an indoor sport. But it wasn’t always the case, with billiards originally played outside - mainly by the wealthy aristocracy - in a sport which would look not too dissimilar to croquet.

King Louis XI of France is credited with taking the game indoors and is said to be the first person to own a pool table. That proved a popular move and after the outdoor game went by the wayside, the green ‘lawn’ table remained.

The green tables became common place at the end of the 19th century

There is another theory however, which saw the sport adopt a uniform colour after an incident in the 1870s. At that point, it is claimed tables varied in colours, including a garish orange which wouldn’t have been kind on the eyes after 20 or so frames.

The orange also made it difficult to track the ball and caused a few disagreements between players. One such occasion was during a match between Arthur Terry and Riland Metcalfe in 1871, with Terry charged with “occasioning violent harm” against his opponent after the row.

Terry was found guilty for his role, but it is claimed he was able to walk free after the judge agreed the colour of the table was also at fault.

The magistrate recommended that "henceforth the cause of harmonious play would be advanced if the snooker tables were manufactured in standard green, giving strong contrast to the red of the ball."

That certainly makes sense, with the green ball a different enough shade to have no issues. Although it does take away an excuse for those budding to become the next O’Sullivan when they miss a red hovering over the pocket.

And to prove that even the greatest player to ever pick up a cue can get frustrated, the Rocket has hinted he could hang up his chalk if results don’t improve. O’Sullivan was dumped out by Brecel in the quarter-final stage, and although he remains world number one, he has refused to rule out retirement.

“I’ve got to have a better year than I have this last year,” he told Eurosport in his capacity as pundit for the channel. “Otherwise you won’t be seeing me!”

Ben Husband