Billiards History

At present, there is no concrete evidence pointing to the origin of the actual date and place of where billiards was first invented. However, there are plenty of speculation and stories as to how billiards came to be.

Some believed that the combination of the French words ‘billes’ (spherical object) and ‘art’ (arts) soon evolved into what people today call ‘Billiards’. It is important to note, however, that the game was not invented in France.

Another explanation can be found in a story about William Kew, a pawnbroker, whose friends played a game using brass balls at what they referred to as ‘Bill’s Yard.’ Whatever the case may be, the links provided below present in different light, a few versions of Billiards history that taken singly or as a whole, would provide you with a clear and comprehensive idea of how the game spread and developed. You will certainly find these of interest:

Billiards Origins
Tripping through Billiard History
Billiard Sports Brief History
The Legends & The True Stories
Snooker History
The billiard encyclopedia: An illustrated history of the sport
Pool: History, Strategies, and Legends
William Hendricks' History of billiards