Snooker tables are so big that a pot down the diagonal runs over 13 feet—an enormous distance to roll a five-and-a-half-ounce ball across napped cloth and expect it to hold its line.

Snooker is a popular billiard sport/cuesport. The full version of snooker is played on a 12 foot by 6 foot table with six pockets. There is a pocket on each corner of the table and in the middle ...