The original song, Snooker Loopy by Chas & Dave and The Matchroom Mob, was released in 1986. It featured the popular Chas n’ Dave duo and prominent snooker players of the time. It became a UK Top 10 hit, peaking at No. 6 on 25 May 1986.
As this piece is being written at the end of April, we are amid the 2025 World Snooker Championship in Sheffield. Perky is reminded of the Snooker Loopy performance and is curious as to why the game of snooker enraptures millions of people as the World Championship TV coverage progresses. Very many of these viewers do not play the game but are continually ‘glued’ to the television screen throughout the two weeks of competition, which always culminates on the May Bank Holiday Monday. What is it that gives rise to the mass appeal of such a game that is relatively pedestrian?
This question may be answered by considering that there is something inherently captivating about the quiet drama of snooker. Unlike other ‘high-octane’ sports, snooker’s allure lies in its slow-burning tension, precise skill, and psychological warfare played out across the baize.
Perky feels that part of snooker’s appeal is its almost hypnotic rhythm. Matches can stretch over hours, yet the audience remains fixated. Each shot is a calculated move in a complex puzzle, demanding mental acuity as much as technical prowess. The silence between shots only heightens the anticipation. Will the player attempt a bold pot or opt for a cagey safety? This mixture of strategy and execution plays out like a chess match, but with a visual elegance that is both accessible and deeply engrossing.
Another reason for the game’s enduring popularity is the personalities involved. From legends like Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan, to rising stars and unpredictable challengers, snooker is rich with characters whose journeys are followed with soap opera-like intensity.
The World Championship at Sheffield’s iconic Crucible Theatre serves as the perfect stage, with its intimate setting and intense spotlight, magnifying every emotion, including triumph, frustration, and resilience.
Television coverage, too, has played a significant role in popularising snooker. With high-definition visuals, close-up replays, insightful commentary (John Virgo et al), and now AI-enhanced analytics, even casual viewers can grasp the nuances of the game. The tension builds slowly but surely, and by the time the final balls are cleared, fans feel like they have witnessed a true contest of wills.
It may be argued that snooker’s mass appeal ultimately lies in its unique blend of calm and chaos, of elegance and grit. It invites viewers/spectators to pause, concentrate, and marvel at human precision under pressure. And during these two weeks each spring, people are reminded that, even in a fast-moving world, there is still room for a game that rewards patience, thoughtfulness, and mastery.