The word "snooker" has military origins, being a slang term for first year cadets or inexperienced personnel. One version of the events states that Colonel Sir Neville Chamberlain of the Devonshire regiment was playing the new game when his opponent failed to pot a ball and Chamberlain called him a "snooker".
It thus became attached to the billiards game bearing its name as inexperienced players were labelled as snookers. And the Chinese snooker is named after that.
It thus became attached to the billiards game bearing its name as inexperienced players were labelled as snookers. And the Chinese snooker is named after that.