SNOOKER players frequently have to follow a strict dress code as well as the rules of the game.
Fans of the sport may know that players often have to wear a waistcoat while competing in matches, but they might still be curious as to the reasons why.
Why do snooker players wear waistcoats?
Professional snooker players are often seen sporting a waistcoat and bow tie, as well as smart trousers and a long-sleeve shirt.
The traditional look first came to prominence in the 1700s.
The game was born during this time and was originally a variation on the similar pastime of Billiards.
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In the early days of the sport, snooker was played by the British aristocracy and those who wished to participate in the sport were expected to dress smartly and wear a waistcoat and bow tie.
Players are also typically required to wear black dress shoes when competing.
The formal rules around snooker players' outfits has stuck since then.
Some events have relaxed rules regarding dress code, while others have ditched waistcoats and bow ties altogether.
Not all snooker players agree with the old dress code and have called for the attire to be modernised and more casual, though many snooker establishments and competitions do still follow the traditional code.
Speaking to Andy Goldstein on Eurosport's The Break podcast, Northern Irish snooker player Mark Allen made the case for the dress rules to be relaxed.
He said: ''You look at every other sport, young people look at TV and go 'I want to have what they're wearing'.
''And unfortunately snooker's not like that, it could change definitely.
“You could have the three majors kept traditional and keep it the way it is.
"But the other tournaments, I think the Shootout is a great example, the players are just so much more relaxed and the standard of snooker when you are relaxed will go up."
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He continued: "Polo T-shirts are probably more than enough, if people want to wear nice watches or have good tattoos on their arms, people can say 'I'd love to have that'.
"At the minute, we're just stifled in what we can do and I would be pretty confident in saying no one enjoys playing in a bow tie and a waistcoat.”
Fellow snooker star Judd Trump has also called for more casual clothing within the sport.
In April 2021, Trump said: "Snooker is kind of stuck in a rut…not enough is being done on the whole image of snooker.
"I've got the golf on and their clothing is all changing, becoming more lenient for the younger generation.
"I don't want to be stuck in a waistcoat walking to the Crucible, it's not cool to be wearing that nowadays."
He continued: "I think that then I know people younger than me won’t want to be dressed like that either.
"To make new stars and make the game popular again in the UK and bring it back to where it was you need to move with the times.
"Keep the trousers, shoes, just maybe polo shirts or something more relaxed and different...You don't need to be dressed in a five-piece suit every time you go to a game."
Does it matter what colour the waistcoat is?
Traditionally, a snooker player would wear a white long-sleeved shirt and a black waistcoat on top.
But this rule has been relaxed in recent years to allow players to sport different colours other than the traditional white and black.
Different tournaments have different rules regarding dress code and colours.
Why do snooker players wear bow ties instead of ties?
As well as being a staple of tradition, bow ties are often worn in snooker for practicality.
If a player was to wear a traditional long tie, it could get in the way when leaning over the table.
One player who is exempt from sporting a bow tie is Scottish snooker star Stephen Maguire.
The sportsman himself once explained: ''I played with a bow tie for my first few years as a professional but developed a neck condition and that really put me off.
''I went to the doctor and he managed to get a letter to allow me to play without it.
''I have really climbed the rankings since then, so I think that was a significant factor.''
Maguire isn't the only player to be exempt from the game's dress code, as Ronnie O'Sullivan diverts from the footwear rules due to an injury.
The star is often seen playing in trainers instead of dress shoes.
Reigning snooker world champion Luca Brecel played the opening round of his title defence without a bowtie.
SunSport understands the No.1 seed, had a medical exemption because he has been unwell in the build-up to the event.
World Snooker Tour chiefs have accepted his unusual demand and as a result, he will not be fined or sanctioned for missing this key piece of attire.
