Introduction

Advances in the game of billiards and the equipment used to play the game occurred very much in parallel. This brief history is intended to chronicle the links between the two and give an appreciation of some of the difficulties encountered by early players.

1600

Although there are many theories about the origin of billiards, the only indisputable fact is that virtually nothing is known for certain about the game before the 17th century. The earliest detailed account comes in "The Compleat Gamester" by Charles Cotton in 1674. In this book Cotton says that billiards was being played throughout Europe and was especially popular in England where there were few towns without public tables. A diagram in this book shows an oblong table with six pockets, being essentially the same proportions as modern tables, although probably smaller in size.

In the 17th century the game of billiards was very different to the modern game, being played with only two balls which were pushed along the table by a "Mace" (also known as a "mast") By the end of the 17th century, balls were generally made from ivory which had largely replaced the wooden balls previously used.

An ivory arch, called a "port", was positioned on the table at the pyramid spot and an ivory peg called a "king" on a corresponding spot at the other end of the table. The main purpose of the game was to pot the opponent's ball and keep your own out of the pocket, which became a "hazard". Additional scores or forfeits associated with passing through the arch or hitting the "king". A game consisted of 5 up by daylight, or 3 up by candlelight. The game was initially played on a bare wooden board, with cloth covering for tables beginning to appear from around 1660.

1700

By 1734 the 5th edition of Cotton's book records that the "port" and "king" were no longer in use and that cues were being used in addition to the mace.

In 1775, a publication called Hoyle's Games, makes reference to the introduction of a red ball to a version of the game played in Continental Europe. This was called Carambole, with the red being the "carom". This was later corrupted to the modern term "cannon". The game was played with the red placed on the Pyramid spot. The players led from the baulk spot and it was not permitted to play back into baulk, as with the present rules. Both red and white balls were re-spotted when potted, but a player did not continue after making a score, so the concept of making a "break" was unknown at this time. The introduction of the red ball is credited by Hoyle as coming from France where they also played on a table with six pockets.

The French eventually discarded pockets in favour of the cannon game in the late 19th century.