The history of billiards is long and rich. According to the most acceptable version of billiards history, the popular cue sports was originated in 15th century France. Originally, billiard was an outdoor game similar to croquet. In order to enable the French aristocracy to enjoy playing the game throughout the year, the game has moved indoors.

Although the course of the play and the equipment went through several changes, the name Billiards, which apparently comes from the French words bille (ball) and art (arts), has remained the same until our days.

The earliest version of billiard was played on a table covered by a green cloth with a board on the sides. The game used to be played with two balls and a wooden club in which the balls were pushed into the table six pockets. In addition to the pockets, the balls had to be pushed towards the gate or the king, which was made from a small wooden piece.

Since the 17th century, the cue stick had replaced the wooden stick and from the 18th century the gate and the king were no longer involved in the game. By the end of the 17th century, the rules of billiards were written in a book and every city in England offered billiard tables. Billiards was so popular in Europe that it was even mentioned in one of Shakespeare's plays.

However, the biggest rise in the billiards popularity had happened in the United States. The story on the arrival of billiards to America is still unknown, but it is a well known fact that George Washington was a fan of the game who even won a match in 1748.

Michael Phelan, who is regarded as the father of American billiards, is responsible for the boost in the billiards popularity in America at the 19th century. Phelan is the author of the first billiard book in America, which set the standard rules and etiquette of the game throughout the country. In addition, Phelan won the first major billiards match that ever took place in the States.

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