
Cornilleau Espana

Our company

Our company  
  • Contact
 My account
shopping_cart Cart 0
Country: Spain 
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Belgique
  • Canada
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hrvatska
  • Hungary
  • Kazakhstan
  • India
  • Italy
  • Mexico
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • România
  • Russian Federation
  • Schweiz
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Africa
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Thailand
  • Ukraine
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
en 
  • English English
  • Català Català
  • Español Español
  • Menu
  • PING PONG
     
    Ping Pong Tables
    • Outdoor tables
    • Indoor tables
    • Institutional Tables
    • Competition tables
    Rackets
    • Outdoor Rackets
    • Indoor rackets
     
    Competition
    • Blades
    • Rubbers
    • Luggages
    • Players accessories
    • Textiles
     
    Accessories
    • Covers, protections and cleaner
    • Balls
    • Posts and Nets
     
  • Pool tables
     
    Pool table
    • Hyphen Outdoor
     
    Pool Accessories
    • Tabletops
    • Pool Cover
    • Outdoor cue stick
    • More +
     
  • Spare parts
  • Tips
     
    Right choice
    • How to choose your ping-pong table ?
    • How to choose your ping-pong racket ?
    • How to choose your table tennis rubber ?
    • How to choose your table tennis blade ?
     
    Improve your game
    • Learn how to play ping pong with a champion
    • What are the different game formats in ping-pong?
    • Playing ping-pong at school
    • The history of table tennis
    • Playing beer pong
     
    Product care
    • How do you maintain your ping-pong table?
  • Our brand
  • Contact
  1. Home
  2. The history of billiards

The history of billiards

It’s difficult to really nail down the exact origins of billiards because so many different versions of the game exist. What’s certain is that it evolved through many early forms to become the game we know today.

BILLIARDS WAS ORIGINALLY PLAYED WITHOUT A TABLE

The general consensus is that in the beginning, billiards was played on the ground. The method of play varied by country in Europe, but the basic idea was always the same: drive your ball through a port (hoop) using a cue that was much like today's croquet mallet.

BILLIARDS COMES TO THE TABLE IN THE MIDDLE AGES

The creation of the first billiards table is attributed to Louis XI of France in 1469. He asked to have a waist-high table made so that he could play without aggravating his bad back. A stone covered with a cloth was placed on these first rudimentary tables. The game evolved little by little, but only nobles were allowed to play.

Even as time wore on, billiards remained a game for reserved for the upper classes. Engravings depicting the game from the 17th century attest to this fact, in particular one which shows France’s famous Louis XIV playing. The rules had not yet evolved to those of today.

BILLIARDS BECOMES A GAME FOR THE MASSES

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.

our other tips:

How to play billiards? Material and position

How to play billiards? The rules of American billiards

How to care for your billiards table

24h/48h  Shipping

SHIPPING
24h/48h

10 years Guarantee

GUARANTEE
10 years

Payment secure

PAYMENT
100% Secure

Customer Service

CUSTOMER SERVICE
Monday to Friday
from 8an to 6pm

Our Other Sites

Our Other Sites  
  • Cornilleau
  • Sportsmadison
  • Facebook Sportsmadison
  • Issuu Cornilleau
  • G+ Cornilleau Spain
  • Facebook Cornilleau

Buy online

Buy online  
  • Shipping at home
  • Secure payment
  • Guarantee
  • Return Policy
  • Customer Service
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Social networks privacy

About us

About us  
  • Our brand
  • Our expertise
  • 5 reasons to choose Cornilleau
  • How to choose your ping-pong table ?
  • How to choose your ping-pong racket ?

Get our latest news and special sales

including assembly videos, tips on the use and care of my products, tutorials, great offers and exclusive advantages on our new stuff.

  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
Trustpilot test

Informations

Informations  
  • Terms and conditions
  • Legal Notice
  • Cookies Policy
  • Contact
  • Sitemap

© 2023 Cornilleau