Early Beginnings:
- 15th Century: The earliest recorded billiards game involved a hoop and a target, played on a table covered in cloth. This rudimentary version was primarily enjoyed by European royalty and nobility.
- 16th Century: The game began to spread, with variations emerging across different region.
- 17th Century: Billiards gained popularity in England, where it became a popular pastime among the upper classes.
Evolution of the Game:
- 18th Century: Significant advancements occurred, including the introduction of pockets and the evolution of the cue stick from a simple mallet to a more refined tool.
- 19th Century: The game continued to evolve, with various styles and rulesets emerging.
Carom billiards, a popular variant, gained prominence. - 20th Century: The game experienced a surge in popularity, particularly in the United States, with pool and snooker becoming widely played.
Modern Billiards:
Today, billiards encompasses a diverse range of games, including:
- Pool: A popular variant played on a six-pocket table with fifteen object balls and a cue ball.
- Snooker: A challenging game played on a larger table with fifteen red balls and six colored balls.
- Carom billiards: A family of games where the objective is to carom the cue ball off two object balls.
