Someone posted this on fb and I thought it was interesting. Maybe some of our historians on here have some knowledge that’s missing
Playing Pool at the White House
• John Quincy Adams (1825): Installed the first billiard table in the White House. The purchase drew public criticism because it was paid for with public funds.
• Ulysses S. Grant (1869–1877): Relocated the billiard room to the West Terrace, creating a glass-enclosed space to make the room more accessible and functional.
• Abraham Lincoln (1861–1865): Known to have played billiards in the White House; the table during his presidency was located in the basement.
• Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953–1961): Regularly played billiards; during his administration, the table was also kept in the White House basement.
• Richard Nixon (1970): Established a dedicated Game Room on the third floor of the White House, which remains in use today.
• Ronald Reagan (1981–1989): Played billiards recreationally; the game room continued to be used during his presidency.
Summary:
Billiards has been present in the White House since the early 19th century. Over time, the location of the table moved between the basement, the West Terrace, and the third floor, but the game itself remained a recurring recreational activity for multiple U.S. presidents.
Dwight D. Eisenhower is the most consistently documented and most frequent billiards player among U.S. presidents.
• He played regularly, often daily.
• A dedicated billiards table was maintained for his use (including at Camp David).
• Contemporary accounts from staff and visitors describe him as a skilled and serious recreational player, not merely casual.
• Richard Nixon played pool and valued the game enough to create the permanent third-floor Game Room, but there is no evidence he was a stronger player than Eisenhower.
• Ulysses S. Grant and Abraham Lincoln are known to have played billiards, but records describe them as enthusiasts, not standout players by skill.
Conclusion
There is no verifiable way to name a single “best” player, but Dwight D. Eisenhower is the president most credibly supported by historical evidence as the strongest and most dedicated billiards player to have played at or associated with the White House.
Playing Pool at the White House
• John Quincy Adams (1825): Installed the first billiard table in the White House. The purchase drew public criticism because it was paid for with public funds.
• Ulysses S. Grant (1869–1877): Relocated the billiard room to the West Terrace, creating a glass-enclosed space to make the room more accessible and functional.
• Abraham Lincoln (1861–1865): Known to have played billiards in the White House; the table during his presidency was located in the basement.
• Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953–1961): Regularly played billiards; during his administration, the table was also kept in the White House basement.
• Richard Nixon (1970): Established a dedicated Game Room on the third floor of the White House, which remains in use today.
• Ronald Reagan (1981–1989): Played billiards recreationally; the game room continued to be used during his presidency.
Summary:
Billiards has been present in the White House since the early 19th century. Over time, the location of the table moved between the basement, the West Terrace, and the third floor, but the game itself remained a recurring recreational activity for multiple U.S. presidents.
Dwight D. Eisenhower is the most consistently documented and most frequent billiards player among U.S. presidents.
• He played regularly, often daily.
• A dedicated billiards table was maintained for his use (including at Camp David).
• Contemporary accounts from staff and visitors describe him as a skilled and serious recreational player, not merely casual.
• Richard Nixon played pool and valued the game enough to create the permanent third-floor Game Room, but there is no evidence he was a stronger player than Eisenhower.
• Ulysses S. Grant and Abraham Lincoln are known to have played billiards, but records describe them as enthusiasts, not standout players by skill.
Conclusion
There is no verifiable way to name a single “best” player, but Dwight D. Eisenhower is the president most credibly supported by historical evidence as the strongest and most dedicated billiards player to have played at or associated with the White House.
