Billiards

English Billiards simply known as Billiards is a cue sport. It was originated in Great Britain and was originally known as the winning and losing carambole game, combining the name of three predecessor games- the winning game, the losing game and the carambole game which were popular in various countries of Europe.

 

This game is played using two white balls (one white ball and one spotted white ball or yellow ball) and a red object ball and a stick called a cue is used to strike the balls.

 

The global governing body of English Billiards is World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) for professionals and International Billiards & Snooker Federation (IBSF) for amateur players.

To score maximum points by pocketing the balls or by hitting cannons and other shots.

General History

English billiards was initially being called 'the winning and losing carambole game', wrapping in the names of its three forerunner games -  the winning play, the losing game and the carambole game - to make a full name.

 

However, all of these games fall under the general category of cue games (which are also called billiards), and have evolved from some similar ball and stick games like jeu de mail and palle-malle, modern trucco, croquet, golf, bocce, and bowls etc.

 

The first world governing body of English billiards was the English Billiards Association which was founded in 1885, UK. However, the Billiards Association and Control Council (later the Billiards and Snooker Control Council) assumed control since the mid-twentieth century.

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Equipment

Billiard Cue

 

The billiard cue originated from its forerunner - the mace, which was a piece of equipment similar to that of a golf club. It was initially used to push the billiard balls, rather than to strike them. However, players began using the modern day design of billiard cues by 1800.

 

Billiard Balls 

 

The early version of the now used modern-day billiards balls were made up of wood and clay. However, the rich also prefered to use the balls made of ivory!

 

Billiard Tables

 

• The billiard tables originally had flat walls for boundaries which were only used to keep the balls from falling from the table. These tables were then named as "banks" because they slightly resembled river banks.

 

• The bed of a billiard table was initially made up of wood until 1835. However, players later started preferring tables made up of slate beds since they were durable and suitable for a much faster and efficient gameplay.

 

• Later then, the billiard tables evolved into its modern form by 1850.

Variants

Straight rail/ straight billiards

 

Straight rail is a variant of billiards which includes an objective of scoring a count or point by hitting both the object balls with the cue ball in a single stroke. Players win when they reach a score count they mutually agreed upon.

 

Balkline

 

Balkline is a variant of billiards which is usually played with two cue balls and a red object ball. A balkline table is a cloth-covered, 5 foot × 10 foot, pocketless table divided by balklines on the cloth into embossed regions called balk spaces.

 

Three-cushion billiards

 

it's widely considered as the hardest form of billiards to master as it includes a player making contact with the other two balls on the table and the three rail cushions simultaneously.

 

Snooker

 

Snooker is also a variant of billiards which is played with one cue ball and twenty-two object balls which are then struck in correct order to accumulate points.