History of Pool Games

Billiards is considered as the umbrella of all other games like pool or pocket billiards. You will often see the typical American playing eight-ball games in pool halls, private rooms, restaurants, or even on the internet. This game is known all over the world. But do you know its history?



Among the indoor games is billiards. Basically, these are the games played on a rectangular felt-covered table, balls, and a stick. Billiards dates back to the fifteenth century. Back then, the term billiards was used for all the games but in the eighteenth century, pool games were being recognized.



Pool games and billiards originated from an outdoor sport called croquet. The upper class French people were the ones who played this game in the fourteenth century. Billiards then was the indoor version of this game. The felt on top of the pool or billiards table represents the lawn.



It was only in the nineteenth century that billiards was introduced in the United States. Before, the one pocket game was incredibly popular and it was followed by the four-ball games. After that, carom billiards became popular and so did a similar game called straight ball.



The modern pool game dates back to the end of 1800's. Pool rooms back them allowed players to play fifteen-ball. Betting was also natural during that time. For many years, fifteen ball or straight pool ruled the pool game arena. But after the 8-ball was introduced, more people were interested in the new pool game.



Pool rooms were mostly open at night but thanks to Michael Phelan who happens to be a legend in billiard games, now it is being played even in broad daylight. He was the one who established the very first billiard game championship in the US. Aside from that, he also published the rules and table etiquette for playing billiards. He was responsible for the popularity of this sport at present.



Now, you know the history of pool. It all began with croquet and then an indoor game called billiards. This gave way to the introduction of pool games which many people enjoy today. By knowing the history, you will not be confused between the words billiards and pool. These words are two different things although they do have similarities.



There are many pool games being played at present like straight ball, nine-ball, eight-ball, etc. Thanks to the upper class French people and Phelan, people from different age groups can now have a different yet fun game to indulge in.