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Billiard Sports

International Governing Body


The World Confederation of Billiard

Sports is an umbrella organisation which

covers all cue sports.

Billiards Sports Overview

Billiards has been dated back as far as the 1300s and originates from an outdoor game similar to croquet. As the game moved indoors tables with green cloth were built (simulating grass). At first the balls were pushed or shoved with a “mace” but cues were developed in the1600s for more precise shots. Further refinements to the cues were made in the 1800s and by 1850 three forms of billiards were firmly established; Carom, Pool and Snooker.


Carom Overview

European Governing Body

- Confédération Européenne de Billard


International Governing Body

- Union Mondiale de Billard


The word “Carrom” is said to originate in East Timor. Portuguese explorers who travelled from South East Asia to India used it to describe the Malabar Coast and it also became the name of a popular fruit (otherwise known as Star Fruit). By the late 18th century the English were using it to describe a billiards-type game played on a wooden board with no pockets. By the time the more familiar English word “canon” (a derivation) was in use “carom” was the word used to describe a variety of board games that have grown in today’s sport.


Carom is played in many countries and made its debut at the World Games in 2001.


Pool Overview

UK Governing Body

- British Professional Pool Players Association


International Governing Body

- World Pool-Billiard Association


Billiards was introduced to all the British colonies from the 1600s but Americans were particularly keen. Many variations of the game were played by the different immigrant populations. “One-pocket” was the earliest game and Pool was developed from this simple game.


Various rules still exist around the world for recreational Pool but the competitive game is based on the rules for 8-ball, 9-ball or Continuous Pool. The sport has been contested at the World Games since 2001.


Snooker Overview

UK Governing Bodies

- English Association for Snooker & Billiards (Amateur Snooker)

- Northern Ireland Billiards & Snooker Association (Amateur Snooker)

- Scottish Snooker (Amateur Snooker)

- Welsh Billiards & Snooker Association


International Governing Bodies

- International Billiards & Snooker Federation (Amateur Snooker)

- World Professional Billiards & Snooker Association (Professional Snooker)


It is believed that Snooker was conceived in Jubbulpore, India in 1875 by Colonel Chamberlain. The word “Snooker” was originally used to describe first year Army cadets but Chamberlain used it to mock a young officer who missed a pot. The game was then promoted through the military and the first rules were written in 1882. However these rules weren’t recognised by the Governing Body until 1900. Snooker became the dominant cue sport in the 1930s thanks to Joe Davis spreading the sport globally.


The professional game is highly publicised and there are some big money tournaments. However there is still plenty of room for the amateur game which has appeared on the programme for the World Games since 2001.