十四世紀初，撞球已興起於英國及法國，當時僅流行於歐洲之宮廷，因此撞球又稱為「宮廷球』。 At the beginning of 14 centuries, billiards emerged to England and France. It was only popular in the European palaces at that time. Therefore billiards was also called "the palace ball".

撞球運動發展至今已有五、六百年歷史，撞球究竟起源於哪國？有的說是古希臘，有的說是法國，有的說是英國，也有的說是中國，意大利和西班牙等等眾說紛云，其實都是根據傳說，所以很難肯定。但是，撞球起源於西歐是無可爭辯的事實。由於法王路易十四的御醫建議國王餐後做撞球活動，有利於健身因此得到法王喜愛和關心，所以在十七世紀，撞球在法國逐漸風行起來，而撞球 ( Billiards ) 的名稱亦是來源於法語。 It has been about 600 years since the beginning of billiards development. From which country did billiards originate actually? Some say it is from ancient Greece, some say from France, some say from England, China, Italy, Spain and so on. Actually all of the sayings are according to the fables, so it is very difficult to affirm. But billiards originated in the Western Europe is the indisputable fact. The physician of the French King Louis 14 suggested him to play billiards after meals since it was good for health, billiards obtained the king’s care. In 17th century, billiards gradually was in fashion in France, and the name billiards also originates from French.

據說撞球活動初始是在戶外地面上挖洞，把球用木棒打進洞內的一種玩法，後來才從室外改在室內桌子上活動。從前開始在室內桌子上玩球時，在桌子中心開了一個圓洞，後來又在桌子四角開了四個洞，洞的增加同時也激發了人們的玩球興趣，直到在桌子開了六個圓洞。才演變成了今天落袋式撞球檯的雛形。 Initially people dug a hole in the ground outdoors and hit the ball with the wooden stick into the hole. The court changed from outdoors to the indoor on-table site afterwards. Formerly people started to play with the ball with a centered-hole table indoors. It soon became a four-hole in the four corners of the table court. Since more holes also stimulated the people to play with the balls, they continued to hollow six round holes in the table. Then it evolves till today and becomes embryonic form’s billiards.

九號球比賽項目使用一到九號球的子球與母球，每次出桿時母球所碰觸的子球必須是檯面上號碼最小的一顆子球，但無須按號碼順序進袋，若選手合乎規定進球則得以繼續出桿直到他失誤（沒進球）、犯規或打進九號球贏得該局。 In the nine-ball billiards event, players use nine numbers ( from one to nine) sub balls and the mother ball. Each time when the mother ball bumps the sub ball, it has to touch the smallest number of the sub ball on the court, but the balls are unnecessary to enter the bag according to their number order. When the contestants will continue the games until they make mistakes, or violate a rule, or finish all the balls and win the competition.