Like others who have already responded, I think this question is beyond doubt at this point.
Because of the distances (6x12), the small pockets, and the small balls in snooker, as well as the scoring system which emphasizes potting as many shots as possible and deemphasizes restraint, having a sniper-rifle-esque directional control of the CB coming off the cue is just absolutely essential. You have to be able to hit the CB within an infinitessimal fraction of a degree of directional margin of error, over and over again with extreme consistency, to rise to the top of snooker. To develop that ability, they start working at a very young age (younger than 10 is the norm, from what I understand) on an ideal set of fundamentals, which are purpose-built for accuracy.
Pool players, with very few exceptions, do not expend that kind of effort on accuracy of CB direction, because it is a less crucial factor in pool. Manouvering the ball in and out of tight position zones, powering the ball up and down table, precise speed control off 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 rails when the situation requires it, and breaking clusters while simultaneously playing position, are all skills pool players focus more on than caring whether their CB hit the OB a quarter of a millimeter to one side or another from where they intended, because in pool that quarter of a millimeter is not going to make or break them.
Anyway, my point is that there is a skill that's absolutely crucial to snooker that needs to be developed early in life, that very very few pool players have. Pool does not have, in my opinion, any one skill that if you're a little tiny bit deficient in that area, you have no hope to compete. Therefore, snooker players can parlay their great potting ability and excellent control of english (even if not for the same kind of positional routes you find in pool), into a highly competitive pool game. Pool players, no matter how good they get at controlling the cluster of reds, playing safeties to baulk, or ensuring good angles on the black, are invariably going to be held back by some accuracy deficiency they didn't eradicate from their stroke when they were 7 years old, and get beaten by the myriad snooker players who did.
-Andrew
)/ Peach 1
