The Trouble With Billiards

There’s so much to love about billiards. But wait—billiards? Is that the same thing as pool? From the very start, the game has a problem: what to even call it.

When you say “billiards,” most people think of the same thing: “Oh, you mean pool?”
Yeah, I know what a pool table is. My dad had one in the garage.
Yeah, I’ve played pool before. My friends and I would go to Cade St. Pub in college and play.

That’s the casual relationship most people have with the game. At best, it’s a good time with friends. At worst, it’s seen as a hustler’s game, full of shady bars, smoke-filled rooms, and self-proclaimed “pool sharks.”

But here’s the thing: something bigger is happening.

Billiards is shifting—from hustlers and stereotypes into something new. From the underground to the mainstream. From being seen as a barroom distraction to being recognized as a legitimate sport. A sport that deserves to stand alongside golf, skateboarding, even MMA. This is the shift of the century.

And I’m glad to be alive during it.

Because this transition means unity. It means a billiards community that knows itself, supports its players, and actually gives a damn. Fans are starting to follow their favorite pros, not just watch a match when they stumble across it. Tournaments are gaining real attention. Players are being celebrated for their skill, not just their hustle.

This isn’t just about a game anymore—it’s about a movement.

And I’m just glad to be part of it.

Deadball isn’t here to claim credit or act like we’re leading the charge. We’re here because we love the game, and we want to see it get the respect it deserves. If this sport is going to keep growing, it needs voices, it needs fans, and it needs people willing to stand behind it.

That’s what this blog is about—sharing what’s happening, why it matters, and why billiards is worth caring about.

The trouble with billiards might always be what to call it. But for me, it’s simple: it’s the game I love.