History of Pool
Pool or Billiards has been around for a very long time. Evolved from a game of croquet, the game of Pool used to be a favoured sport of the French nobility and British aristocrats during the 1400s. This version of Pool was played on a stone table with a hole in the centre and cloth covering. By the 18th century the game had taken off and became a favoured pass time for many people. A game that used to be exclusively played by Kings and Noblemen, Pool has an illustrious history that spans centuries.
“Cue” to the Industrial Revolution
The Pool cue that is widely used today did not exist before the 1600s. So, the game used to be played with long maces. The mace, however, were very inconvenient to use if the ball was next to the rail. Hence, some players eventually started using the flat surface at the other end of the mace to strike the ball during these situations. The tail end of the mace was called a queue. Eventually this became dominant practice and the cue was developed.
Consequently, the industrial revolution brought in multiple changes to the game that put it on a different plane. Slate became the popular material for pool table beds instead of wood. This helped the tables gain more durability. Billiard cushions also went through a rapid change as vulcanised rubber began to be used. The process of adding chalk in order to increase the friction between the cue tip and the billiard ball was also started during this time. This allowed the players to be able to add trick shots into the game by putting different spins on the cue balls.
Different Versions
By 1850s, the game of Billiards had already evolved into the current form. Ivory was not in use anymore to make the billiard balls, various plastics and artificial resins are used for this purpose today. This was standardised across the globe. However, alternatives of the game still persisted. American 4 ball Billiards was a very popular sport in the 1870s. Points were scored by the act of making caroms or pocketing balls. A carom is the act of hitting more than one object ball with your cue ball. The game of straight rail which does not involve pocketing balls was a direct descendent of this form of Billiards. The English version of Billiards was played with 6 pockets and 3 balls. This style of play eventually led to the invention of snooker. A defensive and offensive style of Billiards that is loved across the world.
An Attachment to War
Pool championships held annually became extremely popular. Cigarette cards were printed of the champions of the game. Billiards became the popular recreational activity for troops during the second world war. Professional billiard players toured the military outposts and did exhibitions. However, by the end of 1956, billiards and the popularity it enjoyed had slowly started to vane.
Revival
Two films, one “The Hustler” which released in 1961 and the second “The Colour of Money” released in 1986, are important reasons why Billiards is popular today. These films brought Billiards back to the mainstream consciousness and did a wonderful job ofmaking it popular again. That popularity the game enjoyed in the 1960s sustained itself and translated well into the 21st century. Today, Billiards is one of the most popular sports that people indulge in for recreation. This is also why PLaY has a dedicated Pool area for our passionate patrons.