Pool, a variation of billiards, has a rich history going back to the 1340s when it originated as an outdoor lawn game. When the players moved indoors, they covered the tables with green cloth to remember the original grass surface. People still use green on most public tables, but professional events are trending toward blue, which is less straining for the eyes.

The sport has experienced ups and downs in popularity over the centuries, but it is still a beloved pastime of millions of people around the world. You would be hard-pressed to find a bar in the United States that did not have at least one table.