The history of billiards is a topic of much discussion, as it is unknown where the game originated or when. It is known that billiards existed as long ago as the 1600’s throughout Europe. The game looked in some ways the same, and in others quite different from what we know today. The pocket table was likely similar in proportion to those used today, but games were often played with three balls made of ivory or wood. It is believed that by the 1660s tables were covered with cloth. Cues were not yet used but a mace or a mast was used.

The game continued to be referenced in the 1700s and cues began to replace the mast or mace. The game had different variations. The French introduced a game using a red ball unlike the games played in England.

By the 1800s many variations of the game were being played, and the game in America was developing. A four ball game was most often played in America, while the English were still most commonly playing a three ball game. Ivory had replaced wooden balls almost entirely by this time. Tables were most often still made of wood by cabinet-makers, but some marble tables existed as well. The cue went through some transformations during the 1800s. By mid-1800’s the cue became weighted and were leather tipped.

Around 1840, the first slate billiards tables were made and by the late 1870s, with some changes in the thickness and the sizes of the pieces, slate became the standard for pool table construction. By the end of the 1800s, the table, cues and balls were very similar to what are used today.

Because billiards evolved as a sport in many far reaching communities, the history of billiards includes many varieties of the game that were localized in different areas. The Billiard Association in the late 1800s through the early 1900s was responsible for standardizing the game and equipment.

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