Virginia Beach, Va

Contributed by R.A.Henriquez

8 Ball, corner pocket. A term many of us have used, but where did it come from? I mean, where did the idea to use a stick and sink 15 balls into holes come from? Well, here it is...

Billiard sports, otherwise known as cue sports, originally stared outdoors as lawn games much like golf and croquet. The first known usage of billiards came about 1591 from the French word "billart" meaning stick similar to the cue that was used in golf. The other relative French term "bille" meaning ball could be another explanation. And yet another French term "queue" could be yet another explanation of the etymology.

However, the closest thing to the game that we recognize as pool today was established outdoors in the 1340s, and indoors by King Louis of France in the late 1400s. Billiards actually has a closer to home origination when the Duke of Norfolk owned a "billiard board" that consisted of a green clothed table with three cue sticks and 11 balls. Since then, and with an eruption in Europe in 1727, pool's popularity has long since been...history.

In Virginia Beach, billiards is just as popular. There are so many places in the Beach to play that you cannot find a hole to sink the game winning shot. One of the most popular and long standing establishments is ShoreBreak Sports Bar on Shore Drive. With daily lunch specials and monthly tournaments, it's easy to see why this place is one of the biggest names in pool in Virginia Beach. On the other side of town you can find Q Master Billiards on Princess Anne and Newton. With 72 pool tables and its claim to fame for founding the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship in 1976, you better bring you're a game.

If you're a rookie, get geared up at A & B Billiards Sales & Services off of South Rosemont or better known as the Recreational Factory Warehouse. Once you got your equipment and a few lessons, take your game to your nearest watering hole. Let's face it; there isn't a sports bar around without a couple of pool tables. AJ Gators is known to have a tournament or two as does Sharx Sports Grill on Pacific Avenue at the Oceanfront, right under Peabody's.

So chalk up your cue stick, rack ‘em, and show them the ol' English.

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Billiards: A Brief History and the Best Places to Play Around Town

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