The game of billiards has an exceptionally rich history, evolving from a lawn game quite similar to what is known as croquet today, and dating as far back as the 1300s. Over the centuries it developed from a popular pastime into three highly competitive disciplines: carom, pool and snooker.

Play began outdoors ... with a single ball and a crooked still! Only much later was it moved indoors: to a wooden table covered in green cloth simulating the grass. Initially, the balls were shoved rather than struck with the mace, the blunt instrument which could have been at the origin of the game's contemporary name: the French 'billart' is a mace. But etymologists are in dispute: 'les billes', balls in French, could have been at the roots as well.   

In any case, the proper cue was developed in the late 1600s. And the equipment became increasingly sophisticated in the 1800s due to the industrial revolution. By 1850 billiards had essentially evolved into the current forms.

Carom, pool and snooker have three pieces of basic equipment in common. Each is played on a table, with or without pockets, which is covered in cloth. Each discipline uses a cue which varies in length and a determined number of different colored balls. The skill lies in moving the balls around the table, and points are scored by either potting the balls or deflecting them off as many edges as possible.

Eventhough carom, pool and snooker are derived from the same game, they have developed distinct identities, each creating its own rules and world governing body. Today, all billiard sports collaborate harmoniously for the future of the game and its continued expansion throughout the world.

Billiard sports are played in approximately 150 countries spanning the five continents. The number of registered players is estimated at well over 100 million. All disciplines are enjoyed by a global television audiences made up of male and female, young and old viewers.

Billiard sports made their debut in The World Games 2001 Akita. The World Games 2009 Kaohsiung feature billiard sports for the third consecutive time. And record crowds could turn out once more to watch the world's best players in action. Pool, in particular, enjoys enormous popularity in Taiwan.

 Billiard sports at The World Games 2005

Billard sports events on the Official Sports Program of The World Games 2009 Kaohsiung:

Carom (Men); Pool (Men, Women); Snooker (Men)