Starting on a shoestring budget with a small investment from their own savings, Snap founders Rick Boling and Fred Yates realized immediately that they were going to need professional help if they were to make a go of the fledgling magazine. Though Yates had extensive experience in the billiard world and Boling was a successful magazine journalist and graphic artist, neither had any experience in magazine publishing, circulation or promotion. Nor did they have any salary money to offer, since their investment pool, enhanced by a minimal amount of pre-publication advertising dollars, was barely enough to cover printing costs for the first issue, plus a couple of hundred subscription cards and promotional posters. In view of these circumstances, it seems uncanny that they were able to so quickly assemble a group of experienced professionals to handle all the aspects of publishing with which they were not familiar. Most of these were friends of the founders, willing to take a shot on the upstart publication and work for no pay. And luckily, among these friends were several with exactly the right talents and expertise to round out the core staff of editors and advisors.

First to come on board was Elaine Smith, a writer with several published novels to her credit and a wealth of editorial experience. Elaine took the position of Senior Editor, a title she held throughout the entire life of the magazine. Though she had no billiard experience whatsoever, Elaine was a workhorse and perfectionist, who immediately set out to add some organization and editorial guidance to the somewhat chaotic efforts of Boling and Yates. From the start, she handled most of the article assignments, did all the general editing, and rewrote nearly all the submissions from players, pool rooms, and other supporters, most of whom had little writing experience. Often working from handwritten or poorly typed copy, or even from phone conversations, she also handled the Rail Trails section, which would eventually evolve into the largest section in the magazine. She also wrote many memorable articles herself, and sat in on all editorial meetings, adding her expertise in such matters as planning cover designs, themes for each issue, and the generally humorous feel and personality of the magazine.

Next came Pauline Masterton, a well-known poet and writer, whose extensive world travels and willingness to research subjects with which she had almost no familiarity, led to her take the position of International and History editor. Starting virtually from scratch, Pauline eventually became an expert on the international billiard scene and on the game of snooker, and also wrote some of the more memorable articles ever to grace the pages of The Snap. These included a classic piece on the legendary Johnston City tournaments, and numerous profiles of famous players, cue builders and other industry figures, some complimented by her own sketches of the subjects. She also contributed photography and did artwork and calligraphy for some unique pieces that appeared occasionally.

On the artistic side, the magazine was incredibly lucky to so quickly find two enormously talented individuals to handle photography and original artwork. Richard Pinson was a professional photographer whose talents and sense of humor fit in perfectly with the personality and photographic thrust of the magazine. And, as a bonus, he was a pool player who worked evenings at a local billiard establishment. His cover photography and shots of individual players came to be known throughout the billiard world, and were integral factors in the popularity of numerous issues of The Snap. Richard not only did much of the photography himself, but also coordinated and chose photos taken by other contributors such as Randy Beardsley and an untold number of amateur photographers who submitted photos from local tournaments and other events.

Thomas Pagels was a local artist with an uncanny talent for taking an idea expressed verbally and turning it into a perfect visual representation. Tom served as the magazine's Art Director and, with the exception of English Alice, (who was drawn by Pauline) was the creator of all its cartoon mascots and signature characters. He also hand painted the two full-color posters that have now become highly sought-after collectors items. Tom was assisted in later years by Elanore Crow, who designed the new Snap logo that first appeared on the California issue, and also contributed other artwork and assisted with the redesign of the cover format.

Though the term "Editor" was often applied to many names in the masthead, the fact was that most of those enjoying that title were simply contributors of articles and, in some cases, only ideas, which the real editors would then take and develop into professional quality pieces for publication. The exception to this was good friend of the founders and long-time pool hustler, Benny "The Goose" Conway. The Goose brought a wealth of knowledge and skill to The Snap editorial table, having been a much-feared (though mostly anonymous) road player most of his life, with a pool game on a par with many of the top pros. His knowledge of the various games, coupled with a talent for relating this knowledge in a down-home writing style, made him the perfect candidate for the position of Instruction Editor. In addition to writing his own instruction columns, Benny took ideas and suggestions from several billiard stars and turned them into comprehensive articles, accompanied by table-layout sketches the editors could then refine for publication. Because of his experience on the road, Benny also became an indispensable source of humorous pool and gambling stories, writing several articles and fiction pieces for the magazine.

Other editors and valuable contributors of articles, advice and ideas included:

• Linda Durbin, who started out as the magazine's typist and copy editor, eventually becoming a valuable contributor of articles and fiction and helping out with editorial planning.
  
• Angie Theisen, a Unitarian Universalist minister, essayist and book author, brought a sense of ethics and fair play to the editorial board, often keeping the contributions of a rough-and-tumble collection of hustlers and gamblers from getting out of line. She contributed several important articles, in particular her pieces on the ethics of gambling and gambling addiction that appeared in the last issue ever published.
  
• Cam Campbell expertly and humorously handled the Pool Doc columns, dishing out advice on everything from health topics that applied to pool players, to physical and mental preparation for competition.
  
• Roddy Boling, the magazine's Director of Sales and Marketing in its second year, also contributed artwork, art direction and set construction for several of The Snap's most famous covers.
  
• Terrance Dickman and Steve Smith, who handled the Snooker column early on, before it was taken over by Pauline.
  
• Whit Elfner, whose expertise in the printing industry and production techniques proved invaluable in the early days.
  
• Floyd Baxter and Gene "The Glove" Catron, helped out with the magazine's public and media relations for several months in the early days.
  
• Charles Baxley, who contributed and selected many of the cartoons and humorous fillers seen throughout the magazine.
  
• Randy Goettlicher and John McChesney, writers and editors of the section on Texas pool, who also lent their advice and expertise on tournament promotion and collectible cues.
  
• John Lewis, who contributed articles on the BCA and several other billiard organizations of which he was a part, and also wrote several important editorials.
  
• Suzanne Weinstock, who selected, wrote and/or edited articles on pool in New England.
  
• Alec Dyson Brown, editor of the Senior Snap Shots column that chronicled pool activity among senior citizens.
  
• Tammy Wesley and Jackie Moeller who handled reports from the WPBA and PBTA respectively.
  
• Elisabeth Yates, Regan White, Jeff Naylor, and Kevin Garland who served as office and circulation managers.