Undoubtedly pool is one of the most amazing games which people love playing. In fact, it has become hugely popular amongst kids too. But what’s even more fascinating is that it has an amazing history. Read this article to know how billiards has developed over the years and become a modern-day game that kids enjoy. These days you can easily find a pool table for kids too.
The History Of Pool Tables
In Northern Europe during the 15th century, billiards started as a lawn game that resembled a lot with croquet. And over the years, it has undergone different phases and modified into this modern-day pool game which is enjoyed by women, men, and kids. During the early years after its inception, this game was mostly played either by the royals or the nobles. This is why till the beginning of the 1800s it was called the “Noble game”. But there is also evidence that from 1600 onwards, the common people also adopted this game. Even its mention is found in Shakespeare’s Anthony and Cleopatra.
How The Game Got Its Name Billiards
Gradually years after that the game was brought indoors and was played over a wooden table. The table had green cloth to signify grass and a border surrounding the edges. Many say that the term billiard has got originated from the French word “billart” which means a wooden stick or perhaps “bille” which means a ball.
Mace To Cue
During the initial phase of this game, a wooden stick called a mace was used for shoving the balls in the pockets. And it was in the late 1600s that, the cue was introduced. The mace had a large head, making it difficult to maneuver when the ball was near the rail. So, cue became the best alternative. Gradually, chalk began to be used at the cue’s tip, giving it more friction. During the 18th century back in Europe again, leather got introduced on the cue tip for greater friction.
The Pool Table
Originally, the pool table was given flat walls called banks that worked as rails for preventing the balls from rolling over. As the players understood that the balls could be bounced over the rails, they began to make deliberate shots like that. And this was how bank shot got introduced. From 1835 to 1850, the pool table underwent multiple modifications and gradually developed its modern form. The format of the game too got more concise along with specifically structured balls.
as it began to get more popular worldwide, it became a professional sport. And this led to further modifications in the sizes of the tables and the different game formats.
How Pool Tables Modified Over The Years Till Today
Over the years along with different modifications, there have been given various sizes to the tables too. A professional pool table measures about eight feet having eighty-eight inches in length and forty-four inches in width. Home users use pool tables measuring between seven to eight inches too depending on the size of the room. To make it further easier to access, foldable pool tables are found in the market too. the pool tables these days not only come only from wood but also from a variety of materials such as slate, steel, and other materials. These are durable and lightweight. There are a variety of game formats too in this modern pool game such as:
- Racked Games
- Rotation Games
- Eight-Ball
- Straight Pool
- Sixteen-Ball
- Bank Pool
- One-Pocket
- Obstacle Games Or Hybrid Carrom
- Artistic Pool
There are pool tables for kids too. It resembles adult pool tables but is more lightweight and smaller in size measuring about six feet. The cue for kids is also much shorter in length too. It has lesser balls for the game. And as years progress, the pool tables keep modifying for enticing new customers from around the world.