If you love both pool and snooker but can never decide which to play, we've got the answer: Poolker.
Poolker is a hybrid cue sport that takes the best elements of both games and combines them into something fresh, fast, and seriously addictive. It's played on a standard pool table but uses snooker-style scoring and ball order — giving you the tactical depth of snooker with the accessibility of pool.
How Did Poolker Come About?
Poolker was born out of a simple question: why choose? Pool tables are everywhere — in pubs, clubs, and homes across the UK — but snooker players often find standard 8-ball pool too simple. Poolker bridges that gap perfectly.
The Basic Rules
Here's what makes Poolker unique:
- Setup: Standard snooker ball layout on a pool table — 10 reds plus the 6 colours
- Potting order: Reds first, then colours in sequence (Yellow, Green, Brown, Blue, Pink, Black)
- No forced fouls: Unlike snooker, hitting the wrong ball first with the cue is NOT a foul — this keeps the game flowing
- Cushion rule: Every shot, a ball must hit a cushion after contact (international rules)
- Fouls: Ball in hand anywhere on the table. Off the break, ball in hand must be behind the baulk line
- Scoring: Red=1, Yellow=2, Green=3, Brown=4, Blue=5, Pink=6, Black=7
- Winning: Highest score when all balls are potted wins the frame
Why You'll Love It
Poolker is perfect for players of all abilities. Beginners find it more forgiving than snooker thanks to the no-forced-fouls rule, while experienced players will love the tactical challenge of snooker-style scoring on a pool table. It's also a brilliant way to practise your positional play and cue ball control.
Track Your Game with Our Free Scorecard
We've built a free interactive Poolker scorecard right here on the Mega Break website. It tracks ball counts, scores, frames won, and even has a rotate-to-landscape prompt for mobile users. Try the Poolker Scorecard here.
Get the Right Gear
To play Poolker properly, you'll want a quality cue that performs well on a pool table. We recommend a 9.5mm or 10mm tipped cue for the best control across both reds and colours. Browse our full range of cues to find your perfect match.
Got questions about Poolker or want to share your scores? Get in touch — we'd love to hear from you!