The game of Billiards has quite an old and rich history. Though, no exact time frame can be mentioned about the invention of the game, several evidences indicate that the starting point of the history of Billiards was in the medieval times. According to some people, the game of Billiards was developed from a game that might be called as "Ground Billiards" and the game was being played in Northern Europe and probably in France. Some people believe that the game is a native to Spain or Italy. However, there are some others, who claim that the game emerged first in England or France during Medieval times. There are some other claims as well that state that Billiards was brought over by Dutch and English settlers. According to some others, China was the birthplace of this game.

However, historical evidences say that the invention of this prestigious and sophisticated game dates back to the 14th century. There are also some manuscripts that states about the equipments, used for the game during that period. The most ancient one among these manuscripts dates around 1300 AD. People used to play the game outside in the lawn in its original context till the 17th century. The transformation of the game from an outdoor game to an indoor game started towards the end of 15th century. The people of that period started to play the game on a table inside, instead of on the grass in outside.

The term `Billiard` is derived from the French language. The origin of this term is either the word `billart` that means the wooden sticks or the word `bille` that means a ball. Some records indicate that the famous King Louis XI of France purchased a Billiards table in the year 1470. During that time, the Billiards table used to be made of wood, covered with green cloth to simulate the grass of lawn and a simple border was placed around its edges. The players were not used to strike the balls; rather they used to push them with wooden sticks, named `maces`. The `Cue Stick` of modern times started to be used in Billiards from the early part of the 17th century. The modern game named as `Pocket Billiards` is actually an American version of the English Billiards.

The later half of 16th century and early half of the 17th century was a memorable period in the history of Billiards. Billiards became quite familiar to the public and several writers of that period also started to mention about the game in their writings. The first book discussing about the rules of Billiard was named as `The Complete Gamester` and was written by Charles Cotton. The book was published in England in the year 1674. Almost all the towns in England had public Billiard-Table, during that period. The popularity of Billiards among the French nobility also increased substantially till the French Revolution, in 1789.

Almost all sorts of people from the society used to play the game of Billiards during the ancient times. The people like the kings and commoners, the presidents, mental patients, ladies, gentlemen, and even the hustlers also loved to play the game. In the initial period of Billiards, the game used to be played with only two balls, one belonging to each of two players on a six-pocket table. An upright stick was used as a target. The aim of the player was to strike the opponent`s ball with his own ball so that his own ball travelled through the `target`. Another aim of the player was to strike the opponent`s ball with his own ball so the opponent`s ball travelled through the `target. After achieving the required number of points, the more successful player used to finish the game by using his own ball to strike the opponent`s ball so that the ball rebounds off a small post.

The `hoop` and `target` on the Billiards table disappeared with the course of time. Both of these disappeared one after another during the 18th century and only the balls and pockets were left. Only the noble persons and the royal families used to play the game, at that period. This was one of the principal reasons why the game was called as the "Noble Game of Billiards" since the early 1800s. The most popular form of the game, played all over the world, the `8-ball` was invented around 1900. Another popular form of Billiards named as `9-ball` was originated around 1920. The game has increased its popularity in all over the world day by day and its popularity is increasing till today.