The "Forgotten History" of English Billiards & Snooker
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The Players,
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Throughout the history of the game there have been many individuals whose contribution
made them household names. Even today people wonder how Joe Davis would have fared
against the modern players.
Yet further back in time some made a far greater contribution, and became more than
merely the greatest players of their respective generations.
John Carr, credited with discovering the side stroke,
Edwin Kentfield, whose suggestions transformed the
equipment to the standards we enjoy today. Captain Francois
Mingaud who perfected the leather tip, and John Roberts
Senior - the "Father of English Billiards".
These players are now generally unknown to the modern generation, yet their stories
are told in rare billiard books hidden in museums and private collections.
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the Games...
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Although many variations of billiard games evolved during the 1800's most enjoyed only
a brief period of popularity before fading into obscurity.
Until around 1900, Pool was perhaps the second most popular
game played in the United Kingdom, but it was not the game that we see played in pubs today.
Snooker gradually overtook pool and finally English Billiards to become the
most popular game, with the first official rules being published in 1901. In its
earliest days the game was known as "Snooker's Pool" or "Snooker
Pool" and while the basic structure of the game has hardly changed, this
set of rules from 1896 is sufficiently different to be
of interest.
"The Spanish (or Skittle) Game"
was just one of many games that required the use of skittles. If you'd like to try
it these skittles can still be bought today.
And here are two of the strangest games, each with their original rules.
The German Pyramid Game The German Sausage Game
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...and the Rest.
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This section covers everything that doesn't fit into the other two categories. The History of Hand Stroke Billiards, could easily have been included in the "Players" section had it originally been titled "The History of Herbert Roberts", as the story seems to be more about him than the method of play. It seems he had quite a talent for playing billiards without a cue. This form of play is now mostly referred to as finger billiards but is rarely, if ever, seen practiced today.
How Billiard Balls Are Made describes how ivory billiard balls were sourced, manufactured, and stored.
Anyone buying a full-sized table and wanting to put it up themselves will find How to Assemble a Billiard Table incredibly useful. Though the article is from 1896, nothing of any note has changed, especially the importance of these words from the author: "If you can secure an expert to erect your table, never do the work yourself."
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