Women in Billiards

When pool was invented, it was a man’s game, much like golf, which was actually an acronym standing for “gentlemen only, ladies forbidden”.  While pool didn’t come right out and deny women access in this manner, the idea behind pool was clear in its name – it was a way to gamble, collecting a “pool” of money that was then wagered on the game at hand.  This was not a sport for women, as women didn’t participate in gambling.

However, over time, some women became fond of billiards and created games of their own to play, eventually breaking into the sport of pool.  In recent years, though, the sport has finally accepted its coed players, who are still few and far between but are up and coming and providing a threat to the men’s dominance over the sport.  Armed with pool cues, brains filled with equations and angles, and lots of determination, women in billiards have come into their own.  In fact, there are even world tournaments just for women’s billiards now in practice, and the women who compete are just as sharp as the men, able to run a pool table with ease.

Pool cues can now be ordered in different lengths and weights aside from the standard 57 inches, so if that is too long for a shorter woman to handle, she can easily pick up a pool cue that is more to her liking in a smaller size.  Because of the range of weights available, women have a choice in what feels comfortable in their hands, and because clubs and bars don’t restrict women from attending (and in fact have promotions like ladies’ night to attract more of them), women have greater access to a pool table and practice than in the past.

Also, because more and more people have a pool table in their homes, it’s easy for women to simply pick up a pool cue and learn the sport.  There is little to hinder them in their pursuits anymore in any area, with the world’s first famous female racecar driver even making waves.  Who is to question a female pool shark these days?  Women like Ewa Mataya Laurance, who has made the Hall of Fame, has won several titles and opened the door for more women to enter the sport and succeed.  Who will be next to break through you never know but one thing is certain, and that is that women in billiards have made their mark and are here to stay.