By 1734 the 5th edition of Cotton's book records that the "port" and "king" were no longer in use and that cues were being used in addition to the mace.
In 1775, a publication called Hoyle's Games, makes reference to the introduction of a red ball to a version of the game played in Continental Europe. This was called Carambole, with the red being the "carom". This was later corrupted to the modern term "cannon". The game was played with the red placed on the Pyramid spot. The players led from the baulk spot and it was not permitted to play back into baulk, as with the present rules. Both red and white balls were re-spotted when potted, but a player did not continue after making a score, so the concept of making a "break" was unknown at this time. The introduction of the red ball is credited by Hoyle as coming from France where they also played on a table with six pockets. The French eventually discarded pockets in favour of the cannon game in the late 19th century.