Why is it that we call something that has absolutely nothing to do with water a Pool Game? Billiards
and pool
are two words that are often interchanged because they refer to games played on similar-looking tables with a cue and balls. However, what many people may not realize is that they actually have different meanings.
The evolution to what we in America know as Pool has been long and drawn out. The sticks were initially called maces and had a rather large tip. Players, when faced with a tight shot, would turn the stick around and shoot with the smaller end or 'queue' which means the tail end. Eventually, the size of the sticks decreased and we began to refer to them as a 'cue'. Fifteen-ball billiards was developed in America. The act of putting 'English' on a ball was developed in, of course, England in the 1820s when the leather tip was perfected. The English refer to this technique as 'side', only in America is it alluded to as 'English'.
Somewhere around the mid-19th century, gamblers used to “pool” their money on horse races at certain betting locations. The idea was to give the gamblers something to do between horse races. These locations generally had billiard tables installed in them, which were then called "pool-rooms". Over time, this term got refined to "pool", which then became synonymous for the game itself. It has gone from being an unsavory parlor activity to a sport of great popularity.
At Greenbriar Woodlands, any resident interested in playing or learning how to play are welcomed to join us! Our Club members play every afternoon as well as Wednesday evenings. There is a nominal fee for tournament entries.
Contact the current President, listed in our Phone Directory.