Black pool
Black pool was a form of pocket billiards (pool) mainly played in the 19th century. It was one of several pool games that were popular during this time. It was called this because gamblers pooled their bets at the start of play. This game had fifteen <dfn style="border-bottom:1px dotted #0645AD; font-style:inherit;">red balls</dfn> that were <dfn style="border-bottom:1px dotted #0645AD; font-style:inherit;">racked</dfn> in a triangle, as in snooker today but without the six <dfn style="border-bottom:1px dotted #0645AD; font-style:inherit;">colour balls</dfn>. There was also a <dfn style="border-bottom:1px dotted #0645AD; font-style:inherit;">black ball</dfn> that was either placed on the <dfn style="border-bottom:1px dotted #0645AD; font-style:inherit;">centre spot</dfn> or what is now the <dfn style="border-bottom:1px dotted #0645AD; font-style:inherit;">black spot</dfn> in snooker. Each player extracted winnings from their opponents for each ball they potted. Potting the black ball meant receiving additional winnings. Around 1875, black pool was merged with life pool to form the new game of snooker, today one of the most popular cue sports in the world.
References
- Everton, Clive (1991). Snooker and Billiards: Techniques, Tactics and Training. Crowood Sports Guides. Crowood Press. p. p. 10. ISBN 1-85223-480-6.