Billiards originated in the 15th century in France, with the word deriving from terms meaning stick or ball. The game was played with a club-like mace until the 1600s when the cue stick became standard. Michael Phelan, an Irish immigrant, popularized billiards in America by adding diamonds for aiming and developing new tables and cushions, and was the first American billiards columnist.

3.  Originated during the 15th Century
 The word “billiards” is French, deriving either from “billart”,
meaning stick, or “billie”, meaning ball.

5.  Tool used in early billiards was a club-like stick called a mace
 In 1600’s, cue stick evolved from the mace and became the
standard

9.  Popularized by Irish Immigrant Michael Phelan
Contributions:
› Added diamonds to assist aiming
› Developed new table and cushion designs
› First American Billiard columnist

11.  In Dubai Airport
 128 players
 2012