A billiard table is that on which cue sports are played. The three main types of Billiard table are Carom billiard tables, Pocket billiard tables and Snooker tables. It is thought that the word Billiard derives from the French word for the sticks of wood used to play the game, billiard. Billiards was originally played on a lawn and resembled that of croquet and was gradually then brought indoors to be played on a table made of wood and covered in green material to represent the grass. The tables since have a surface of quarried slate and then green material and all have a surround of soft cushioning. Known as the rails they kept the balls on the table and during the development of the game the’ bank shot’ was created. Players realised they could determine shot outcomes by the position along the rails or banks with which they shot the ball with the aim of hitting another specific ball the rails
The stick used to hit the balls was called a mace which had one end holding a large head and the other end ‘the queue’ quite tapered. The tapered end was used to hit the ball when it sat close to the cushion. There was a time when only men were allowed to use the smaller end of a mace as it was imagined that a woman may slip with it and tear the covering of the table. From this was made the modern day ‘cue’.
English billiards was most frequently played from the 1770 to 1920 and then came snooker and pool (pocket billiards). Hugely popular and played nation wide snooker and pool are two different cue games governed by the World Pool-Billiard Association and the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. A snooker tournament can be seen on any given day in Brittan. The World Confederation of Billiard Games (WCBS) is the name given to the umbrella organisation that covers all billiards (Carom, pocket and snooker).This was created in Bristol, England in 1990 as another step closer to being considered for recognition in as an Olympic sport. In 1998 this was achieved.
The ‘Knoxville Bear’ was a man from Knoxville, Tennesse called Eddie Taylor. He was of the greatest bank and one-pocket players known and promoted billiards in Boys Clubs of America for most of his career. In 1987 this all round tournament champion, twice over, was inducted to the Sports Hall of Fame in his home town of Knoxville.
Straight pool champion Ray Martin holds 3 world titles and is now an author on and teacher of his subject. His book ‘The ninety-nine critical shots in pool’ is a look at the skill and precision necessary to excel in this game.
The first American book written on billiards ‘Billiards without a master’ was written by Michael Phelan. This man was famous for his huge involvement in the American game of billiards. He patent many designs of table and cushions, is famed as an inventor, manufacturer and avid billiard player. His rooms in New York are said to have set a trend for billiard room style and atmosphere. In 1859, Michael Phelan won the first ever stakes match in the game of billiards.