The crack of the balls sent a chill up my spine. My brother, Amos, let out a great sigh as balls flew all over the table. None went in a pocket. His disappointment was evident as he hung his head. Sitting on that green felt, I knew I would have to move because my father was up next. He can play pool better than anyone I know. Those hazel eyes of his gleamed as he eyed the eight ball. His 21-ounce pool stick became a part of him as he lined up a shot. He called the corner pocket. I thought the shot was impossible, but I knew that if anyone could sink the shot, he was the guy. The pool stick moved back slowly and my father tapped the cue ball. The cue ball's backwards motion mesmerized me as the white blur went sailing towards the ball and drove it straight into the corner pocket; my father had won again.
             Billiards has been a part of my life since I was young. My grandma had a pool table in her basement. She used the table for her laundry, but she would always clean it off when she knew her grandkids were coming over. I've always wondered about the origin of billiards and its background. I consulted one book, Sports and Pastimes Through the Ages, that told me that billiards " . . . belonged to the out-of-door games, perhaps a kind of croquet, for when it later appeared as the indoor game we know the green cloth was said to represent the grass." Another book, Shoot Pool, helped me learn about the angles involved in taking a shot and how to properly shoot. Now, I can play a lot better. To find out even more, I interviewed manufacturers of pool tables and some fellow players. Billiards has always fascinated me due to the captivating history, the different types of billiard games, and the required skill.
             The history of billiards interests me. The game can be traced back to the 14th century when it was played outside. Commoners and royalty alike enjoyed billiards. According to an online publication of Funk & Wagnall...