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By the 18th century, many variations of billiards could be found, and the game gained popularity as academies where it could be played began popping up. And around Paris, they popped up like mushrooms. By the end of the 18th century, there were more than 800 of them around the French capital. The table evolved as well. Colored engravings show the introduction of the green playing surface, and the appearance of cushions and of cues to replace mallets.
The 19th century would see the balls take their current form. It was also during this time that the sport spread outside of Europe. Arriving in the US around 1800, billiards began to develop much quicker than it had in the Old World. Full-scale international competitions were created there and billiards became a popular leisure activity. Two versions of the game could be found at the time: pool, and carom billiards, also known as French billiards. Billiards continued to evolve, mainly due to the improving equipment. French billiards as it’s played today is thought to have been created in 1850.
These days, billiards is played by millions of people around the world in its French, British, and American versions (pool). Another form of billiards is also played today: artistic billiards. Trick shots are difficult shots that require serious precision.
