Ah, pool, the sport where you can easily look like one of the slickest people on the planet. Especially if you’re rocking a nice suit or a fancy dress. Also, anyone remembers the magic 8 ball in the 70s? Here at BrossacBraderie, we will give you an idea of the past of this popular sport and its derivations that are still popular today!
The Beginning of Pool
Pool started off in the 15th Century in Nothern Europe, that being in the late medival times. The original name, which is Billiards, came from the word “billart”, the french word for sticks or “bille”, a ball. The balls were pushed into the pockets, rather than hit with sticks called maces. The cue was invented in the late 1600s, the leather cue tip coming in the 18th century, introducing spin.
The pool table originally had flat walls for rails that used to be called banks, since they resembled the banks of a river. Than, the players recognised that you can bounce it off these banks, hence the name “bank shot”. In 1850, during the industrial revolution, the modern pool table had come to light. This also had the development of vulcanisation of rubber as well as the standard 2:1 ratio for pool tables and the use for slate instead of wood becaame popular.
The Break of Pool into its offshoots
Traditional pool through the ages sprung off into multiple offshoots. The two most popular derivations today are “Snooker” and “8 ball pool”. Snooker is the one that is closest to the original form, however increasing the number of balls from 3 to 22, allowing for more advanced strategy. The British are the ones most in love with this game.
8 ball pool started in the 1900s, an alteration from pyramid pool. The famous seven red, seven yellow and one black ball was introduced in 1925 by Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company. It also sprawled into other forms, such as blackball, Chinese eight-ball, nine ball and backwards eight-ball. Some of its fame can also be attributed to the miniclip game, 8 ball pool and the famous 70s american toy, the magic 8-ball.
Nowadays, pool is a popular recreational sport, with many competitive aspects to it. A sport to be enjoyed by all, hosting a range of benefits to everyone. However, it can be very tedious to find a pool table sometimes. Luckily, we have one in store.