Billiard Table

games · physics · strategy

Slate surface. The top of a billiard table is made from quarried slate, which is a natural stone that can be cut very flat and smooth so balls roll perfectly.

Cloth covering. A special cloth covers the slate to help the balls roll smoothly and to reduce friction so the game works just right.

Rubber cushions. The edges of the table have vulcanized rubber cushions that bounce the balls back when you hit them, making the game more interesting and fun.

Different games, different sizes. There are special terms for different types of billiard tables, like pool tables and snooker tables, and each type uses different-sized balls for different games.

Really old tables. In the 1500s and 1600s, people called these tables billiard boards, showing that the game has been popular for hundreds of years.