Basic History Of The Pool Table - written by Annie Deakin

Billiards is a type of game played on a pool table. This game table has a flat surface created from slate, usually quarried. Felt that is usually colored blue or green covers the tabletop to make a smooth playing surface. Cushions that surround the table are used for strategic play by the player.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, pool tables was better known as billiard boards. The court of Louis XI in France originated the game by bringing in large pieces of grass and laying them on the table. It was just a short time later that local furniture crafters were commissioned to create standard stationary tables stuffed with straw and covered in cloth. These tables became popular among aristocracy. Not only did the furniture makers create the beautiful tables, they also made up the accessories to go along with them.

In 1840, the tables began to be made of slate instead of the previous cloth covered straw. The table was finally smooth and even. Even now you will find that high quality tournament tables still use slate as a base surface. But the transition from grass to straw to slate was not that smooth. Master craftsman and furniture maker John Thurston tested various fillers for the tables including feathers, shredded fabric and even hair. His first set was presented to Queen Victoria.

Regulation pool tables for tournament play are rectangle in shape and may vary in size from 7ft to 9ft in length. All tables have six pockets, one in each corner and one on either side of the long rails in the middle. These are more commonly known as corner pockets and side pockets. Pockets on the tables are commonly on the outside and can be made of either plastic or leather. However, there are tables with inner troughs that carry the dropped balls through the table into the well to be used in the next game. These are usually found in bars or pool halls and are coin operated machines.

All tables used for any tournament play must, by regulations, be created from slate that is at least 1 inch thick. These are quality tables but many times tables of a lesser quality may be found with slate, though it is not as thick. Also, wood and synthetic materials have been used for the table surface. In all cases, the table is covered in a colored felt.

Special markings on the table in the shapes of diamonds adorn the rails. Not only are these shapes beautiful, they serve a purpose. They are used to help players make key bank shots. The tables also have spots on them which mark where the cue-ball and ball rack is to be placed.

Different pool tables are made for different styles of games. Snooker is a good example. This game is played on a bigger table, but the thing about snooker is that the pockets are made smaller to make the game more challenging during tournament play. Also, instead of the sharp corners, they are more rounded assuring a more accurate shot from the player. However, the number of pockets are still the same, six.

Games like 9-ball and 8-ball are played on the standard table and are the most common games. In 9-ball, the object is to get the balls into the pockets in numerical order with 9 being last. In 8-ball, each player has a designated group to shoot for, either the stripes or solids. The 8 is the last to go in. Anyone hitting this ball in before the last shot forfeits the game.