How much does it cost to play?
In the Snooker Island World Championship, there was some mention of the cost of going to play snooker these days. So I thought it might be interesting for us to share how much we pay to play in various parts of the world.
I had never really given it much thought before, here in Chongqing. I hadn't asked the rates, had just paid whatever they said at the end of the session. Yesterday, I decided to find out the price.
As far as I've seen in China, there are three levels of club people go to. I was in Xi'an for work a few years ago and went to a very fancy place where you get a referee assigned to your table for the duration of your session. Wish I could remember how much we paid for that, but I don't remember it being extortionate. Something like 80 or 100 yuan per hour (about 10GBP).
Then there are the 'street' places, which predominate across China. I've played on some really horrendous surfaces over the years when I haven't been able to find somewhere better. One that sticks in the memory was a table that sank towards the middle. These places tend to be about 10-15 yuan per hour (1.00-1.50GBP)
The club I've been going to recently is a pretty average level. Decent tables, full of smoke, pop music playing in the background. They have one match table, 7 ordinary tables, and 4 pool tables. I've only played on the match table once, when the others weren't available. It is 60 yuan per hour (7 pound-ish). The ordinary tables that I usually play on are 40 yuan per hour. About 4.50 GBP.
I had never really given it much thought before, here in Chongqing. I hadn't asked the rates, had just paid whatever they said at the end of the session. Yesterday, I decided to find out the price.
As far as I've seen in China, there are three levels of club people go to. I was in Xi'an for work a few years ago and went to a very fancy place where you get a referee assigned to your table for the duration of your session. Wish I could remember how much we paid for that, but I don't remember it being extortionate. Something like 80 or 100 yuan per hour (about 10GBP).
Then there are the 'street' places, which predominate across China. I've played on some really horrendous surfaces over the years when I haven't been able to find somewhere better. One that sticks in the memory was a table that sank towards the middle. These places tend to be about 10-15 yuan per hour (1.00-1.50GBP)
The club I've been going to recently is a pretty average level. Decent tables, full of smoke, pop music playing in the background. They have one match table, 7 ordinary tables, and 4 pool tables. I've only played on the match table once, when the others weren't available. It is 60 yuan per hour (7 pound-ish). The ordinary tables that I usually play on are 40 yuan per hour. About 4.50 GBP.
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chengdufan - Posts: 12491
- Joined: 08 July 2016
- Location: Chongqing
- Snooker Idol: Xiao Guodong
- Highest Break: 25
- Walk-On: Europe - The Final Countdown