Why are the World Championship snooker tables heated?

Question

What effect does this have on how the table plays

Answer 1

The under-table heater ensures the table is kept warm and dry.

This keeps it running quick and consistently.

This makes a very noticeable difference,even on an english pool table. It makes a lot of difference on the bigger table used for snooker (due to the longer distances involved in the shots).

Answer 2

I think its to do with keeping the playing surface a constant temperature so that the balls and the cloth play the same throughout the match/tournament, different temperatures would cause slight contraction ( cold ) or expansion ( warm ) of the balls and table, this would make the playing conditions differ slightly  during the match/tournament, proffesionals are that precise and accurate they notice the differance and i think thats why under table heating was introduced

Answer 3

Heating the table keeps the cloth and rails dry.  This makes the table play faster and more consistent throughout the entire tournament.  Then players don't have to keep making as many adjustments in each game depending on how the table is playing or the humidity level in the room, which is also dependent on how many people are in the room.

Answer 4

thats a good question i play a lot of snooker and never heard of them being heated it will be intresting to find out why

Answer 5

So the players don't get cold balls...have you ever played snooker with cold balls...?

Answer 6

it warms the cloth and makes the balls run faster and truer..all professional standard tables no have heating.