A Brief History of Billiards and the Tools of the Trade
1600
Although there are many theories about the origin of billiards, the only indisputable fact is that virtually nothing is known for certain about the game before the 17th century. The earliest detailed account comes in "The Compleat Gamester" by Charles Cotton in 1674. In this book Cotton says that billiards was being played throughout Europe and was especially popular in England where there were few towns without public tables. A diagram in this book shows an oblong table with six pockets, being essentially the same proportions as modern tables, although probably smaller in size.
In the 17th century the game of billiards was very different to the modern game, being played with only two balls which were pushed along the table by a "Mace" (also known as a "mast") By the end of the 17th century, balls were generally made from ivory which had largely replaced the wooden balls previously used. An ivory arch, called a "port" was positioned on the table at the pyramid spot and an ivory peg called a "king" on a corresponding spot at the other end of the table. The main purpose of the game was to pot the opponent's ball and keep your own out of the pocket, which became a "hazard". Additional scores or forfeits associated with passing through the arch or hitting the "king". A game consisted of 5 up by daylight, or 3 up by candlelight.
The game was initially played on a bare wooden board, with cloth covering for tables beginning to appear from around 1660.