How Pool Evolved from Royalty to Bar Rooms

504Billiards

504Billiards

New member
Hey everyone,

I recently put together a short 2-minute video covering the history of pool — from its early outdoor origins to how it became the game we know today. It includes old photos, drawings, and clips of legends like Mosconi and Efren.

I’d really appreciate any feedback on the video — what worked, what didn’t, or anything you think could make it better. Also open to ideas for future videos — anything you'd like to see covered in the world of pool?

Thanks!
– Mark (504 Billiards)

 
Nice video. So now we know why green is traditional. Quiz?..How did the “Pool Room”
get it’s name?
 
One pocket table.

One Pocket.jpeg
 
504Billiards said:
Hey everyone,

I recently put together a short 2-minute video covering the history of pool — from its early outdoor origins to how it became the game we know today. It includes old photos, drawings, and clips of legends like Mosconi and Efren.

I’d really appreciate any feedback on the video — what worked, what didn’t, or anything you think could make it better. Also open to ideas for future videos — anything you'd like to see covered in the world of pool?

Thanks!
– Mark (504 Billiards)

Click to expand...
I think the correct word would be devolved, instead of evolved.
 
very nice, but

i don’t think you can call it
the history of pool
if it’s under 2 minutes long

semantics? idk, you asked for feedback

you mention kings, royalty, and the elite? which is it?

and what’s the point? who is your
target audience? people who’ve
never heard of mosconi?

(i’ve been around a long time,
maybe this is for newer players.
i’m left asking-why? why was this made?
if 20 people click on it do you get paid?)

✌🏽(peace sign emoji)
 
504Billiards said:
Also open to ideas for future videos — anything you'd like to see covered in the world of pool?
Click to expand...
yes in your video you mention that the game shifted from royalty to the common man in the 1800’s

how about going into that transition with more depth and information

for example begin when leather tips were the norm and end before you get to mosconi





edit: i just noticed i learned something from your video which being a left handed shooter i think is important- ruth mcginnis was a lefty! guess i spoke too soon)
 
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markjames said:
if 20 people click on it do you get paid?)
Click to expand...
I got a piece of V10 for being the first. I love kick backs😂
I'd like to know more. Was there really a guy named Sausage? Were the Spitoons hand made. Were they copper or cheap tin? Did the room have bathrooms or did players go outback?
 
GoldCrown said:
Nice video. So now we know why green is traditional. Quiz?..How did the “Pool Room”
get it’s name?
Click to expand...

I read billiard tables were brought in gambling houses to help pass the time while waiting for results of betting. Gamblers would 'pool' their bets and the concept of parimutuel, aka pool betting was invented. Back in the 19th century when someone said they were going to the pool hall, it was a gambling parlor. Later, the billiard became more popular and pool stuck as a name. Manufacturers try to disassociate from the gambling past (pool) by calling our tables pocket billiard tables.

The Billiard Encyclopedia by Paul Rubino and Victor Stein covers the history in detail.
 
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GoldCrown said:
Nice video. So now we know why green is traditional. Quiz?..How did the “Pool Room”
get it’s name?
Click to expand...
Thanks for the response.... Love the added quiz... As far as the pool room name, I remember I read this at some point, but don't remember the exact details... Something to do with being in a room with gambling, possible horse racing, if I remember correctly and the money was called pooling so they ended up calling the game pool. Please feel free to correct me on this and let me know the correct answer if I have it wrong....
 
markjames said:
very nice, but

i don’t think you can call it
the history of pool
if it’s under 2 minutes long

semantics? idk, you asked for feedback

you mention kings, royalty, and the elite? which is it?

and what’s the point? who is your
target audience? people who’ve
never heard of mosconi?

(i’ve been around a long time,
maybe this is for newer players.
i’m left asking-why? why was this made?
if 20 people click on it do you get paid?)

✌🏽(peace sign emoji)
Click to expand...
Thanks for the detailed feedback. I appreciate it, heres the thought process on my approach:

  • Length & Title: I know the “history” label might suggest a long, comprehnsive look, but I aimed for a short piece to spark interest. It’s meant to be an entry point, just something quick that makes people curious to learn more.

  • Content & Tone: I mentioned kings, royalty and the elite to capture different eras and show how pool started in prestigious settings, then transitioned to a game for everyone.. It’s a bit of both a nod to its prestigious origins and its evolution into a popular, accessible sport.

  • Target Audience: My hope was to reach both longtime fans (like you) and newer players. For veterans, it might evoke nostalgia or even spark discussion on what really defines pool history. For newcomers, it’s an introduction to some of the legends like Mosconi.

  • Purpose: I made it out of passion for the game, not for clicks or payment. If 20 people click on it, that’s still 20 conversations and connections about pool history and that’s valuable in itself.

I’d love to hear any more thoughts you have, or ideas for how to expand on the subject. Thanks again for your input!
 
markjames said:
yes in your video you mention that the game shifted from royalty to the common man in the 1800’s

how about going into that transition with more depth and information

for example begin when leather tips were the norm and end before you get to mosconi





edit: i just noticed i learned something from your video which being a left handed shooter i think is important- ruth mcginnis was a lefty! guess i spoke too soon)
Click to expand...
Thanks for the feedback! I appreciate the suggestion.

And great catch on Ruth McGinnis being left-handed! I had to go look at it and google it, just to confirm for myslef. It’s a cool detail that deserves a shout-out. I'll be sure to highlight that if ever used in future content.


Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts!
 
GoldCrown said:
I got a piece of V10 for being the first. I love kick backs😂
I'd like to know more. Was there really a guy named Sausage? Were the Spitoons hand made. Were they copper or cheap tin? Did the room have bathrooms or did players go outback?
Click to expand...
Haha, love the questions and the V10 love! I dont have all the answers on Sausage or whether the Spitoons were copper or just tin knockoffs, but I may have to dig into it. Bathrooms? Who knows maybe players enjoyed some “backyard breaks” to keep the game spicy (LOL)! Thanks for the fun feedback!
 
That was a good introduction for the length of the video. Usually the leather tip is attributed to François Mingaud who does seem to have perfected it in the early 1800s. He got a lot of notice by being the Venom of that time and he published the first book of fancy shots.

For those interested in more of the history of cue sports, one of the best books to read is William Hendricks' "History of Billiards". It's been mentioned here several times. I think it includes a whole chapter on the transition to a sport for all. The book was basically Hendricks' graduate thesis in history. He was the 1964 national collegiate pool champion.

Interesting briefer histories are in "Pool" by Mike Shamos and "Billiards" by John Grissim.

There is also a subforum on the history of billiards:

Billiard and Pool History in the U.S.

From the players and matches, to the tables and cues they used, to the cities and halls they played in, this is the place to talk about it. The official discussion forum of The Chicago Billiard Museum.
forums.azbilliards.com
 
book collector said:
I think the correct word would be devolved, instead of evolved.
Click to expand...
When it was exclusive to the upper crust, billiards was played with a mace on a wooden bedded table….the game has definitely evolved…..
The ones who could afford a billiard table back then are the Neanderthals of the games.
……and I feel Mingaud was most important to this evolution.
 
I would be interested in a societal analysis of why billiards devolved from a truly revered competition sport, to an inane barroom pastime.
 
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