Baizewick guide
Rest, spider and swan: which snooker rest to use
On a home table, a standard rest and a spider cover most shots. Rests let you play shots you can’t reach with a normal bridge.
The main types
| Rest | Head | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Standard rest | A low cross-shaped head | The cue ball is out of reach with a normal bridge |
| Spider | A raised head | You need to cue over a ball near the cue ball |
| Swan | A long, curved neck | You need to reach over a ball and further across the table |
| Extended rest | A longer shaft or extension | The shot is a long way from the table edge, on larger tables |
How to use a rest
- Put the rest head on the cloth, a comfortable distance behind the cue ball.
- Lay the cue in the groove of the head that gives you the height you need.
- Hold the butt of the cue with your fingers and thumb on top, not with a normal grip.
- Keep your head and arm in line with the cue, and push through smoothly.
- Hold the rest still with your other hand flat on the table.
What a home table needs
- Small tables (6ft–8ft): a standard rest and a spider, often in shorter lengths.
- Larger tables (9ft–12ft): add a swan and an extended rest, or a cue extension.
- Storage: a wall rack or under-table hooks, outside the cueing zone.
Rests and room size
A rest doesn’t reduce the space you need around the table. You still need full cue clearance behind the cue ball. You also need room for the rest’s length when it is laid along the table.