Billiards (Popularly known as Snooker in India)

It was said to be a game of rich people but now is played by commoners also in recent times. The game has been played by kings and presidents, ladies, gentlemen, and hustlers alike. Billiards was evolved in Europe in late 15^th century.

It soon became famous between royals and other nobles. It was originated in India in 19^th century by the British army. The game developed its own identity in 1884 when its first set of rules was framed by Sir Neville Chamberlain, a British offices positioned in India who helped develop and popularize the game at Stone House in Ooty on a table built by Burroughes & Watts that was brought over by boat. The Billiards and Snooker Federation of India (BFSI) is the governing board in India to regulate the rules and help the game to grow, states that Ooty is "the most credible birthplace for the game of Snooker", however, the federation rejects the theory that the game was already established in Ooty. Billiards is played by two teams with single or double players. A doubles game is played very occasionally but as it’s basically a singles game.  The first player chooses to play with the white cue ball to start the game thereafter the other plays with the spotted white cue ball. Snooker is played upon a Billiards table and uses the same cues and standard equipment.   Different balls are used, though - one white cue ball is used by both players together with 15 red balls worth 1 point each and 6 colored balls worth differing points as a yellow ball comprises of 2 points, green ball of 3 points, brown ball of 4 points, blue of 5 points, pink of 6 points and black of 7 points. Each turn of a player is called a "break" and comprises of a lineup of strikes of the cue ball that come to an end when a player makes a non-scoring strike or a foul stroke.   Scoring is achieved by "potting" balls (sending a ball to a hole), by "cannons" (when the cue ball strikes first one ball and then the other), and by going "in off" (when it falls into a pocket having first "kissed" (struck) another ball). The game is played with a stick with a large circumference at the holding side and small at the till from which the ball is hit. The tip is usually shaped and sharpened with a chalk which improves the grip and shot. The first World Snooker Championship was held in 1927, and it has been held annually since then with few exceptions. The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) was established in 1968 to regulate the professional game, while the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) regulates the amateur games. The game is famous between the young generations in the metro cities.

By: Anuja Arora

Content: https://www.britannica.com/topic/billiards