History of Pool: From Lawn Game to 8-Ball

History of pool, in short: billiards began as a lawn game similar to croquet in 15th-century Northern Europe, moved indoors onto a green-cloth table, and grew into the pocket games we call pool. The name "pool" comes from a collective bet, and eight-ball, the most played pool game today, was invented shortly after 1900.

Below is a timeline of how the table, the cue and the games changed, plus why vintage pool style is still popular. Like the retro look? See our vintage billiard shirts.

Where did billiards come from?

The Billiard Congress of America (BCA) explains that billiards "evolved from a lawn game similar to the croquet played sometime during the 15th century in Northern Europe and probably in France. Play was moved indoors to a wooden table with green cloth to simulate grass." (BCA) That is why pool cloth is still traditionally green.

PoolTables.com adds that the word "billiard" is derived from French, "either from the word 'billart,' one of the wooden sticks, or 'bille,' a ball." (PoolTables.com)

History of pool timeline

Sources: PoolTables.com and BCA.

From mace to cue

Early players shoved the balls with a wooden mace. When a ball sat near the rail, the mace head got in the way, so players flipped it and used the handle. PoolTables.com explains: "The handle was called a 'queue' meaning 'tail' from which we get the word 'cue.'" Around the turn of the 18th century the leather tip arrived, which made spin possible. Spin is still called "English" in the United States; the British call it "side."

Why is it called pool and not billiards?

The BCA says: "The word 'pool' means a collective bet, or ante. Many non-billiard games, such as poker, involve a pool but it was to pocket billiards that the name became attached." In the 19th century a poolroom was a betting parlor for horse racing, and pool tables were installed so patrons could pass the time between races.

How pool games evolved

The dominant American game until the 1870s was American Four-Ball Billiards, played on a large four-pocket table. Then came Fifteen-Ball Pool, also called "61-Pool," where each ball scored its number and the first player past 61 won. According to the BCA, "Eight-Ball was invented shortly after 1900; Straight Pool followed in 1910. Nine-Ball seems to have developed around 1920."

Learn today's rules in our guides to 8-ball pool rules, 9-ball rules and how to rack pool balls.

Pool's golden age and vintage style

From 1878 until 1956, the BCA notes, championship tournaments were held almost every year, and "players were so renowned that cigarette cards were issued featuring them." That long history is why vintage looks, from distressed prints to old-school flag graphics, are still popular on league shirts today.

Our vintage billiard shirts use retro and distressed designs and can be personalized with a name or team name. Check each product page for styles and sizes.

FAQ

When was pool invented and by who?

No single inventor is known. Billiards grew from a 15th-century lawn game in Northern Europe; pocket games called pool took shape in the 1800s, and eight-ball was invented shortly after 1900.

Why is it called pool and not billiards?

"Pool" means a collective bet. In the 1800s poolrooms were horse racing betting parlors with pool tables, and the name stuck to pocket billiards.

Is billiards originally from America?

No. The BCA traces it to Northern Europe, probably France. It most likely reached America with Dutch and English settlers.

Why are pool tables green?

The game moved indoors from the lawn, and green cloth was used to simulate grass.