Do you love the game of pool? If so, or even if you don’t, I’m sure you will appreciate these 15 custom pool tables that will blow your mind.

These images are real, they have not been photoshopped.

Even though precise early history of the game is mysterious, billiards is believed to have been played in a variety of forms for many centuries. Initially enjoyed as a lawn game, the more modern versions of billiards or pool are commonly recognized as being a French version of traditional billiards games. Pocket billiards, otherwise referred to as pool, is the game which is typically played in Canada and the United States. Several variants of pool also exist such as nine ball and eight ball as well as some others.

The Source Of Billiards

Although the precise origin of the game isn’t known precisely, it’s widely acknowledged that one of the earliest and most recognisable forms of billiards originated in the 15th century in France. In the past, billiards enjoyed amazing success mentioned in Shakespearian plays as well as enjoyed by politicians, scientists, and celebrities alike. Mary, Queen of Scots was known to have been laid to rest in her billiard table cloth. Louis XIV of France, Napoleon, Mozart, as well as George Washington were amongst some of the most famous and enthusiasts of the game.

Early Days Of The Game

It wasn’t until the late 17th century that the cue was created, it is presumed that before this date, players used a mace to strike the ball. The cue was introduced simply because striking the ball using a mace when against the rail proved difficult and cumbersome. Following the turn of the 19th century, the game really became popular in England and the equipment along with the rules quickly evolved to a level that we would now consider more familiar.

Progression Of Billiards In England

Chalk and leather cue tips were introduced in the first half of the 19th century in a bid to enhance the friction while striking the ball and consequently to be able to spin both the cue ball as well as the contact ball. Spin grew to become referred to as “English” in the United States because the concept of spinning the ball was first used in England and then brought over to the United States and taught to players here.

Additional Developments In Billiards

It was also in the first half of the 19th century, following the industrial revolution, when the two-piece cue was introduced. Slate was also intruduced and became the predominant material used to create the bed of the playing surface; something that has continued through to present times due to the quality that slate offers to the shot. In 1845, following the discovery of rubber vulcanization, rails were produced from this incredible new material; again, this is a practice that has continued since.

Modern Pool Evolution

15 ball pool is generally thought to be the forerunner to the modern 9 ball pool which is predominantly played in the US. Fifteen balls were numbered sequentially from one to fifteen and players amassed a score equal to the sum of the balls they sank. The first player to reach 61, or more than half of the 120 total on the balls, was announced the winner.

What Exactly Do You Play?

Today, the game of eight ball pool, which is typically played in Europe, originated around 1900 while nine ball pool was first introduced in 1920. Billiards now refers to basically any kind of table game that utilizes balls and cues such as eight ball, nine ball, and many variations of pool and traditional billiards games including three ball billiards.

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