Snooker scoreboard vs pool scoreboard: key differences
Last updated: March 2026
At first glance, a snooker scoreboard and a pool scoreboard look like the same thing: a wooden board on a wall with sliding markers. In many games rooms and pubs, you will see a single board being used for whichever game is being played. But the two types of scoreboard are actually designed around quite different scoring systems, and understanding the difference helps you buy the right one.
The core difference: what is being scored?
The fundamental difference comes down to how each game is scored.
Snooker is a points-accumulation game. Every ball has a fixed value (red = 1 point, through to black = 7 points), and players accumulate running totals across a frame. A snooker scoreboard needs to display numbers from 0 to at least 100, updated incrementally throughout the frame as individual balls are potted.
Pool (both British 8-ball and American 9-ball) is typically not scored by points at all. British 8-ball is a target game — you are assigned either spots or stripes, and you win by potting all your balls plus the 8-ball. American 9-ball is won by legally potting the 9-ball. Neither involves keeping a running numerical score in the way snooker does.
This creates a fundamental design question: what is a pool scoreboard actually counting?
What does a pool scoreboard track?
Because pool does not have numerical point scoring, pool scoreboards typically track one or more of the following:
Legs/frames won: The most common use. A pool scoreboard counts how many games each player has won in a session or match, typically from 0 to 9 or 0 to 11. This is a wins counter rather than an in-game score.
Balls remaining: Some pool scoreboards, particularly for league 8-ball, track how many balls each player has left on the table. This gives both players a quick visual of the game state without counting the clusters on the baize themselves.
Combined wins and balls: More detailed pool scoreboards may have separate tracks for games won and balls remaining, giving a full picture of the match at a glance.
The physical differences
Scoring range
A snooker scoreboard needs a range of 0-100 (or more) because individual frame scores can reach three figures. The scoring range needs to be granular — moving one point at a time — because points in snooker come in increments of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7.
A pool games-won counter only needs to count to 9 or 11, making the scale much simpler. Pool scoreboards designed for ball-counting only need to go from 0 to 7 (for 8-ball) or 0 to 9 (for 9-ball).
Number of tracks
Snooker scoreboards for home use typically have 2 or 4 tracks — one or two per player. The extra tracks allow for frame counting (how many frames won in a session) in addition to the in-frame score.
Pool scoreboards vary more widely. Simple match counters may have just two tracks. More detailed versions have four tracks — one for games won and one for balls remaining, per player.
Size and readability
Because snooker scoring updates frequently during a frame (every time a ball is potted), and because snooker rooms are often larger spaces, snooker scoreboards tend to be wider and designed for easy reading from across the room. Pool tables are generally smaller and sit in tighter spaces, so pool scoreboards can get away with being more compact.
Can you use a snooker scoreboard for pool?
In practice, yes, many people do — and it works reasonably well in both directions.
Using a snooker scoreboard for pool: A snooker scoreboard tracks numbers from 0 upward, which works fine for counting frames won in a pool match. You simply use the rail as a wins counter: player A wins game one, slide the marker up to 1; player A wins game two, slide it to 2. The fact that the scale goes to 100 rather than 9 is irrelevant.
Using a pool scoreboard for snooker: This is trickier. A pool scoreboard designed only to count legs won (0-9) cannot track the in-frame numerical score that snooker requires. You would need a pool scoreboard with a 0-100 range to do this, which starts to look identical to a snooker board.
The combination scoreboard
Some manufacturers sell "snooker and pool" combination boards that attempt to serve both games on a single board. These typically feature:
- A 0-100 or 0-99 sliding rail for snooker scoring
- A separate 0-9 or 0-11 track for pool frame counting
- Four tracks total to cover both players for both functions
In my view, this is the most practical solution for a games room that has both a snooker table and a pool table — or a combination table that is used for both games. Rather than buying two separate boards, one well-designed combination board handles both needs.
Design and aesthetics
The aesthetic differences between snooker and pool scoreboards are less clear-cut than the functional differences. Both tend to use similar construction materials — wood, MDF, or plastic — with sliding brass or plastic markers.
That said, snooker scoreboards tend to have a more formal, traditional appearance: dark wood finishes, brass fittings, and a design language that references the gentlemen's-club heritage of the game. Pool scoreboards in pubs and home games rooms are often more casual — and sometimes branded with pub or beer logos, particularly in league play.
Which should you buy?
If you only play snooker: Buy a dedicated snooker scoreboard. The best options for UK home use start from around £18 for a wooden board and top out around £130 for a premium Peradon mahogany.
If you only play pool: A simple frame counter that tracks legs won is all you need. Most snooker boards will double up for this without any issue.
If you play both games regularly: Look for a combination board with separate tracks for snooker scoring and pool frame counting, or buy a snooker board with four tracks and adapt the secondary tracks for pool frame counting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use one scoreboard for both snooker and pool?
Yes. A snooker scoreboard with a 0-100 range works perfectly as a pool frames-won counter. You simply slide the marker up by one each time a player wins a game. The reverse is not always true -- a pool-only board counting to 9 cannot track snooker's in-frame point scoring.
Do I need a separate scoreboard for 8-ball pool?
No. British 8-ball pool does not use numerical in-game scoring. The only thing you need to track is games won, and any snooker scoreboard handles this perfectly. A dedicated pool board is only necessary if you want ball-remaining tracking alongside games won.
What is the best scoreboard for a games room with both tables?
A 4-player snooker scoreboard is the most versatile option. Two tracks handle snooker frame scoring, the other two handle pool games won -- or all four can be used for doubles in either game. The Funky Chalk Solid Wood 4 Player at £89.95 is a strong choice for this setup.
Is snooker scoring harder to track than pool scoring?
Snooker scoring updates more frequently -- every time a ball is potted -- and involves variable point values (1-7 per ball). Pool scoring is simpler since you only count games won at the end of each game. But once you understand the snooker system, using the scoreboard becomes second nature. Our guide to how snooker scoring works explains the full system.
Bottom line
The key difference between a snooker scoreboard and a pool scoreboard is that snooker involves continuous numerical scoring during each frame, while pool typically does not. A snooker scoreboard needs a 0-100+ range for in-play score tracking. A pool scoreboard only needs to count frames or games won, typically from 0 to 9 or 11.
A decent snooker scoreboard doubles as a pool scoreboard perfectly well. The reverse is not always true. If you are equipping a games room with both games in mind, a snooker board with multiple tracks covers all bases without needing to buy two separate boards.
For a deeper understanding of snooker's scoring system, our guide on how snooker scoring works covers point values, breaks, and fouls in detail. If you have decided on a snooker board, see our wooden snooker scoreboard comparison for the best traditional options. For a full breakdown of every scoreboard available in the UK, see our complete guide.
This article covers UK-style British 8-ball pool as well as American pool formats. Scoring conventions may differ in other regional variations.